Shipping Container Dimensions
Shipping container dimensions vary in length, width, and height. The most common container sizes in the United States are 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft long, each at around 8ft wide. The height of each shipping container varies between “standard” height (8’6″) and “high cube” (9’6″), which are often used to increase storage space or create better air circulation. Check out the table below for a breakdown of shipping container dimensions and specifications.
| 10' Standard | 20' Standard | 40' Standard | 40' High Cube | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External | ||||
| Length | 10' | 20' | 40' | 40' |
| Width | 8' | 8' | 8' | 8' |
| Height | 8' 6" | 8' 6" | 8' 6" | 9' 6" |
| Internal | ||||
| Length | 9'4" | 19' 4" | 39' 4" | 39' 4" |
| Width | 7'8.6" | 7' 8" | 7' 8" | 8' 8" |
| Height | 7'10.2" | 7' 9" | 7' 9" | 8' 9" |
| Door Opening | ||||
| Width | 7'8.5" | 7' 8" | 7' 8" | 7' 8" |
| Height | 7'8.5" | 7' 5" | 7' 5" | 8' 5" |
| Cubic | ||||
| Capacity | 561 cu ft | 1,172 cu ft | 2,350 cu ft | 2,694 cu ft |
| Weight & Payload | ||||
| Empty Weight (Estimate) | 2,850 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | 8,500 lbs |
| Maximum Gross Weight | 22,398 lbs | 44,000 lbs | 67,200 lbs | 71,650 lbs |
| Maximum Payload | 19,759 lbs | 55,127 lbs | 61,200 lbs | 62,975 lbs |
Customers often use the 10 ft containers as sheds, offices, job site boxes, she sheds, and man caves. These steel shipping containers are one of the more rare and unique shipping container sizes. When available, they can offer an excellent storage solution for spaces where the more common 20ft and 40ft options can’t fit or aren’t needed.
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 10' x 8' x 8'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 9'4" x 7'8.6" x 7'10.2" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'8.5" x 7'8.5" |
| Cubic Capacity | 561 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 2,850 lbs |
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19'11" x 8' x 8'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19'4" x 7'9" x 7'8" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'5" x 7'8" |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,165 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 4,853 lbs |
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40' x 8’ x 8'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39'4" x 7'9" x 7'8" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'8" x 7'5" |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,390 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 7,800 lbs |
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40' x 8’ x 9'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39'4" x 7'9" x 8'10" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'8" x 8'6" |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,700 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 8,160 lbs |
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 20' x 8' x 8'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19'4" x 7'8" x 7'9" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'8" x 7'5" |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,172 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 5,071.5 lbs |
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40' x 8’ x 8'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39'4" x 7'9" x 7'10" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'8" x 7'6" |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,377 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 8,160 lbs |
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 20' x 8' x 8'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19'4" x 7'8" x 7'9" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'8" x 7'5" |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,172 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 5,071.5 lbs |
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40' x 8’ x 9'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39'4" x 7'9" x 8'10" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'8" x 8'6" |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,700 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 8,160 lbs |
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40' x 8’ x 9'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39'4" x 7'9" x 8'10" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'8" x 8'6" |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,700 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 8,160 lbs |
20 ft.
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 20' x 8' x 8'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19'4" x 7'8" x 7'9" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'8" x 7'5" |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,172 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 5,071.5 lbs |
40 ft.
| Dimension Type | Measurements | Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40' x 8’ x 8'6" |
|---|---|
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39'4" x 7'9" x 7'8" |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7'5" x 7'8" |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,330.8 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 9,039 lbs |
From Our Blog
Why Are 20 ft. Standard Shipping Containers So Popular?
Compared to other sizes and types, the 20 ft. container is typically more affordable, highly versatile, and easy to transport. Its compact size makes it perfect for smaller loads or locations with limited delivery space, making it an excellent choice for a variety of applications.
How to Choose the Right Shipping Container Size for Your Project
20ft vs. 40ft Container
It is important to consider the cost as a 20ft. shipping container is less money than a 40ft shipping container.
Confirm How Much Space You Need For Storage
Each container is built to carry a specific amount of cargo. Take the time to research square footage capacity to ensure your container will hold all your items.
Do you Need Height?
Standard height containers are 8’6” high and High Cube Containers are 9’6 in high. To accommodate bigger or taller items, you may choose a High Cube container.
Do You Have The Required Delivery Space?
Typically, a 20ft container needs 50-75ft of straight-line space, and a 40ft container needs 120ft of straight-line space to safely deliver the shipping container on the ground.
At Container Sales Group, our main goal is to help our customers solve their storage, building & ocean export needs. We are proud to be a Women-Owned Company, with experience selling New and Used Shipping Containers since 1998. Container Sales Group buys shipping containers direct from the steamship lines to offer our customers the highest quality container at the most competitive prices.
We work with F500 Companies, Nationwide Construction Firms, Universities/Schools, Builders, Individual Homeowners, and International Freight Forwarders- helping them with their shipping container needs. Let us know if we can help you, call Container Sales Group at (708) 722-5995.
From Our Blog
Standard vs High Cube Shipping Containers – Comparison
Shipping containers come in a variety of sizes, types, and features, making them versatile for different applications. One of the most notable distinctions is between Standard (Dry) containers and High Cube (HC or High Capacity) containers, primarily defined by their height.
