Choosing the right safe size isn't just about space—it's about what you plan to store and how accessible you want it to be. Too small, and you'll outgrow it. Too large, and you're paying for more than you need. Here's a practical guide to help you choose a safe that fits both your valuables and your life.
What Are You Storing?
Start by listing everything you want to store. Safe size is ultimately driven by content. Think about:
For Homeowners:
-
Passports, wills, and personal documents
-
Jewellery and watches
-
Family heirlooms
-
Hard drives, USBs, or photo backups
-
Spare cash or emergency funds
For Businesses:
-
Client records or legal documents
-
Cash tills and banking bags
-
Stock items (e.g. watches, tech, pharmaceuticals)
-
Laptops, tablets, or hard drives
-
Keys, ID cards, and access tags
Once you've listed the items, consider their bulk. Paper stacks take more room than you think. Add 30% extra space for future use.
How Big Are Standard Safe Sizes?
Safes come in all shapes, but here are common internal capacity ranges:
-
Small Safes (5-15 litres): Good for passports, some cash, a watch or two. Fits in a drawer or cupboard.
-
Medium Safes (15-40 litres): Enough for documents, jewellery, and tech like iPads or hard drives.
-
Large Safes (40-100 litres): Good for businesses or families storing larger items or multiple sets of documents.
-
Extra-Large Safes (100L+): Suitable for high-value commercial storage, or large collections of items.
Use internal dimensions, not just external. Shelving and walls reduce usable space.
Fit by Category: What Size Works Best?
Here’s a quick guide based on common item types:
-
Documents (A4 files, passports, deeds): Medium safe (20-35L) with file hangers or shelves
-
Jewellery and heirlooms: Small to medium safe (10-30L) with soft interior, ideally fire-lined
-
Cash drawers and banking bags: Medium to large safe (30-60L), deeper layout
-
Electronics (laptops, tablets, hard drives): Medium to large safe (25-50L), with power access if charging inside is needed
-
Retail stock (pharmaceuticals, valuables): Large to extra-large safe (50-100L+), may require shelving or compartments
You don’t need the biggest safe. You need the best layout for what you plan to store.
Other Factors That Affect Size
Installation Location:
-
Will it go in a wardrobe, floor void, or cupboard? Measure the space.
-
Allow room for door swing and lock mechanism.
Weight Limits:
-
Larger safes are heavy. A 100L fire safe can weigh 100kg+.
-
Check your floor strength, especially upstairs.
Growth Over Time:
-
Plan for more documents, more valuables, or new devices.
-
A safe with 20-30% extra room saves you replacing it later.
Fire or Burglary Protection:
-
Fireproof safes tend to be bulkier for the same internal space.
-
Burglary-rated safes often have thicker walls, reducing storage volume.
Shelving and Compartments:
-
Some safes have removable or adjustable shelves.
-
Custom inserts help optimise storage (e.g. ring trays, file racks).
Summary: Choosing the Right Size
-
Make an inventory of what you want to store
-
Match item types to typical safe volumes
-
Leave extra space for future needs
-
Check measurements of both safe and install location
-
Consider fire/burglary ratings and how they affect internal space
When in doubt, go slightly bigger than you think you need. Not every item you'll want to protect is already in your possession.