Shipping container sizes and dimensions
Internal and external dimensions, door openings, floor area, cubic capacity and payload for 10ft, 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube containers.
External dimensions
External sizes are standardised, which is why containers stack and ship anywhere in the world. Use these figures when you plan the footprint on your site, and add clearance around them for the doors and for the delivery truck.
| Container | Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft standard | 10ft (3.05m) | 8ft (2.44m) | 8ft 6in (2.59m) |
| 20ft standard | 20ft (6.06m) | 8ft (2.44m) | 8ft 6in (2.59m) |
| 40ft standard | 40ft (12.19m) | 8ft (2.44m) | 8ft 6in (2.59m) |
| 40ft high cube | 40ft (12.19m) | 8ft (2.44m) | 9ft 6in (2.90m) |
Internal dimensions and capacity
Internal figures are what you actually load into. They vary by an inch or two between manufacturers and between new and used units, so treat them as close approximations rather than guarantees, and leave yourself a margin when something has to fit exactly.
| Container | Internal L x W | Internal height | Floor area | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft standard | 9ft 3in x 7ft 8in | 7ft 10in | ~71 sq ft | ~560 cu ft |
| 20ft standard | 19ft 4in x 7ft 8in | 7ft 10in | ~148 sq ft | ~1,170 cu ft |
| 40ft standard | 39ft 5in x 7ft 8in | 7ft 10in | ~302 sq ft | ~2,390 cu ft |
| 40ft high cube | 39ft 5in x 7ft 8in | 8ft 10in | ~302 sq ft | ~2,690 cu ft |
Door openings
The door opening is always narrower and lower than the internal box, and it is the figure that decides whether a pallet, a vehicle or a machine will actually go in. Measure your widest load against this column, not against the internal width.
| Container | Door width | Door height |
|---|---|---|
| 10ft standard | 7ft 6in | 7ft 5in |
| 20ft standard | 7ft 8in | 7ft 5in |
| 40ft standard | 7ft 8in | 7ft 5in |
| 40ft high cube | 7ft 8in | 8ft 5in |
Weights and payload
Tare weight is the empty container. Payload is the maximum cargo weight the structure is rated to carry. For static storage the payload rating rarely limits you, but it matters if you are loading dense material such as tooling, tiles or aggregate, and the tare weight matters when you arrange craning.
| Container | Tare weight | Max payload |
|---|---|---|
| 10ft standard | ~2,900 lb | ~22,000 lb |
| 20ft standard | ~5,000 lb | ~57,700 lb |
| 40ft standard | ~8,200 lb | ~59,000 lb |
| 40ft high cube | ~8,800 lb | ~58,400 lb |
Which one to buy
- Height is the deciding factor. Anything taller than about 7ft 6in on a pallet needs a high cube.
- Two 20ft units beat one 40ft when access is tight, when you want two lockable spaces, or when the ground is uneven.
- One 40ft beats two 20ft on price per cubic foot and on the amount of uninterrupted floor you get.
- 10ft units suit gardens, allotments and yards where a 20ft truck cannot turn.
Every size we stock, with delivered prices, is on the catalogue. Exact measurements for a specific unit are listed in the specification table on its product page.
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Every price on this site includes free delivery to all 50 states. Sales tax is added at checkout based on your delivery state.