Shipping container dimensions: A comprehensive guide

Understanding the most common standard shipping container dimensions

The most common standard shipping container dimensions are 10 feet, 20 feet, and 40 feet, all about 8 feet wide; among these, 20-foot and 40-foot units are two sizes popularly sold in North America. 

The height, of course, varies between standard (8’6”) and high cube (9’6”) for extra storage. We will learn the difference between the two in more detail later in the blog. For now, let’s take a look at the dimensions of the three container sizes below: 

10ft standard shipping container 

If you’ve got minimal cargo and need storage space, a 10ft shipping container is a compact powerhouse designed for efficiency. At just 10 feet in length, this container may be small, but it offers a solution to storage constraints without sacrificing capacity. It’s perfect for personal use or small businesses looking for a practical storage option. The internal dimensions of a 10ft are 9.2 ft x 7.8 ft x 7.10 ft. The table below shows complete measurements. 

Container size	Internal dimensions (LxWxH)	Cubic capacity  (cu ft)	Payload capacity (lb)	Tare weight (lb)
10ft Standard Dry Container	9.2ft x 7.8ft x 7.10ft	563 cu ft	19,530 lbs	2,850 lbs

Read more: Small shipping containers.  

20ft standard shipping container 

The 20ft shipping container, also called a Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU), is the standard measurement unit in the shipping industry. Cargo volumes and the capacity of vessels and ports are usually measured in terms of how many TEUs they can hold. The internal dimensions of a 20ft are 19.4 ft x 7.8 ft x 7.10 ft. The table below shows the measurements of a 20ft shipping container. 

Container size	Internal dimensions (LxWxH)	Cubic capacity  (cu ft)	Payload capacity (lb)	Tare weight (lb)
20ft Standard Dry Container	19.4ft x 7.8ft x 7.10ft	1,172 cu ft	55,126 lbs	5,071 lbs

40ft standard shipping container

The 40ft container has twice the height of a 20ft container. This is suitable if you have cargo that won’t fit inside a 20ft container. Choosing one 40ft container in this case will be more cost-effective than choosing two 20ft containers, as one 40ft container is just 30% more expensive than one 20ft unit. The internal dimensions of 40ft are 39.4 ft x 7.9 ft x 7.10 ft. The table below shows complete measurements of a 40ft shipping container. 

Container size	Internal dimensions (LxWxH)	Cubic capacity  (cu ft)	Payload capacity (lb)	Tare weight (lb)
40ft Standard Dry Container	39.4ft x 7.9ft x 7.10ft	2,389 cu ft	61,200 lbs	8,268 lbs

Note: Container dimensions can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer. The measurements listed above are approximate.

Common uses of 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft containers 

If you’re wondering how you can make use of these containers, here’s a breakdown of the common uses of 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft containers: 

10ft containers: 

• The 10ft containers are perfect for storage. If you require small-scale storage for your tools, equipment, or personal items, choose this size. 
• They’re also often converted into compact, mobile container office spaces, especially at construction sites.
• Pop-up shops and workshop spaces are other conversions that suit a 10ft container. 

20ft containers: 

• The 20ft containers are most widely used for shipping goods worldwide. Since they are manufactured according to ISO-approved standards, they can easily fit on trucks, trains, and ships—no wonder they’re also known as multimodal containers.
• Apart from shipping, they’re also a great choice for storing larger, bulky items for businesses and at construction sites. 
• The 20ft is also a popular choice for shipping container modification projects. Thanks to their versatile size, they can be easily converted into homes, cafes, and offices. 

40ft containers: 

• If you’re shipping large-volume goods, 40-foot containers are your go-to choice.
• They are also ideal for long-term storage of machinery and bulk inventory. 
• Along with shipping cargo, 40-ft containers are also popular in the US for constructing modular buildings such as container homes, office complexes, and even restaurants. 

Other popular shipping container sizes

Now that we’ve covered the standard container dimensions and their common uses, let’s dive into other popular container sizes that offer additional flexibility and space. In the following section, we’ll look at high cubes’ most common container dimensions and their uses.

The most common high cube container sizes are: 

40ft high cube 

A 40ft high cube (HC) shipping container is the same size as a 40ft container—but with an additional foot in height. The internal dimensions of a 40-foot HC are 39.5 ft x 7.8 ft x 8.9 ft. The table below shows the measurements of a 40ft HC container. 

Container size	Internal dimensions (LxWxH)	Cubic capacity  (cu ft)	Payload capacity (lb)	Tare weight (lb)
40ft high cube container	39.5 ft x 7.8 ft x 8.9 ft	2,694.5 cu ft	63,052 lbs	8,687 lbs

45ft high cube 

The 45ft high cube shipping containers give you maximum space for your cargo. The internal dimensions of a 45-foot HC are 44.5 ft x 7.8 ft x 8.9 ft. Look at the complete measurements of this container in the table below.

Container size	Internal dimensions (LxWxH)	Cubic capacity  (cu ft)	Payload capacity (lb)	Tare weight (lb)
45ft high cube container	44.5 ft x 7.8 ft x 8.9 ft	3,036 cu ft	61,431 lbs	10,628 lbs

53ft high cube 

Looking for a little more space? The 53ft high cube container is perfect for voluminous storage needs and seamless transport of oversized cargo. The expansive 53ft length can efficiently store and ship large quantities of goods, especially machinery and industrial equipment. 

While all other containers have a fixed width of 8 feet, 53ft containers are an exception; they are made to rail standards and are 8.6 ft wide. The table below gives you detailed measurements. 

Container size	Internal dimensions (LxWxH)	Cubic capacity  (cu ft)	Payload capacity (lb)	Tare weight (lb)
53ft high cube container	52.9 ft x 8.2 ft x 8.11 ft	3,850 cu ft	72,927 lbs	12,103 lbs

Note: Container dimensions can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer. The measurements listed above are approximate.

Common uses of high cube containers

The 40ft, 45ft, and 53ft high cube containers are incredibly versatile and used across various industries to transport oversized or bulky cargo. Here are some common uses for each size:

40ft high cube containers

• This container size is ideal for transporting household goods and large furniture. You can also move electronic equipment and large appliances. 
• If you’re in the retail business and have bulk shipments of goods to be shipped, 53ft HC is a good choice.

45ft high cube containers

• Transporting tall machinery or construction equipment? A 45ft high cube container can perfectly support you. You can also use this container to move oversized industrial and agricultural components. 

53ft high cube containers

• If you’ve got over-height cargo, 53ft HC is your ideal choice. It can move items that exceed the height of standard containers effortlessly.
• Just like 40ft and 45ft HCs, 53ft HC is also a good choice for transporting oversized machinery and bulk construction materials.

All the above three containers provide extra vertical space, making them perfect for items that require more height clearance. 

Standard shipping container vs. high cubes – A comparison

Now that you’ve got all the basic information about the standard and high cube containers, the next question you might ask is, should I buy a standard-sized shipping container or a high cube container? 

To answer this, let’s take a quick look at the differences between the two to help you decide which option best suits your needs.

Standard containers: 

• As the name suggests, follow the common dimensions used for cargo transportation worldwide. 
• Their uniform size makes them easy to stack and suitable for transporting a variety of goods, ensuring efficient logistics and compatibility with international transport systems. 
• These units can transport most dry freight, including barrels, bags, pallets, and cartons.
• Additionally, they can have interior customizations made to hold particular kinds of goods. Hangers, for example, can be inserted to hang clothing that will be taken straight to the retailer.    

High cube containers: 

• They are similar in structure to dry containers where the length and width remain the same, but the height increases by 1 foot. 
• Since high cube containers have additional height, they serve as storage containers, enabling them to meet more cargo demand compared to 20ft or 40ft sizes. 
• They’re also used to transport large, bulky, and higher-volume cargo that does not fit well in standard containers.

How to choose the right shipping container dimension?

Shipping containers offer endless possibilities for container investment, whether for storage, cargo transportation, or modification. However, understanding how to choose the right container dimensions to meet your specific needs efficiently is absolutely essential.

Here are key factors to consider when making your decision:

1. Determine the purpose of use:

Understand why you need a container. If it’s for cargo shipping or storage, a standard 20-foot container will do the job for small- to medium-sized cargo. However, if you have larger-size cargo, a 40-foot container provides double space, making it suitable. And oversized cargo and large-scale modification projects, such as commercial spaces, modular homes and offices, high cubes are a great choice. 

2. Evaluate your budget:

How much are you willing to spend for your specific needs? The cost of a shipping container varies depending on the container sizes and types. It might also include additional expenses like transportation and maintenance.  

3. Accessibility and handling: 

You must ensure that the container dimension you choose aligns with and is compatible with your logistical needs and handling equipment.

Further information 

To provide you with in-depth information on everything about shipping containers, we have curated helpful resources covering different aspects of containers. 

• How to buy a shipping container: Factors to keep in mind when buying a container
• Cost of shipping containers: Learn how much you should spend on different types and sizes of containers. 
• Shipping container investment: Detailed information on how to make big profits and grow your container business.
• Shipping container business: Your guide to starting a container business and how to make it profitable.