Shipping Container Dimensions and Sizes
The most common shipping container sizes are 20 feet or 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet or 9.5 feet tall. The taller containers are called High Cubes. If you are wondering how wide is a shipping container, the shipping container width for standard units is 8 feet on the exterior. In total, shipping container sizes come in lengths of 10 ft, 20 ft, 40 ft, or 53 ft. The inside measurements of shipping containers are a bit smaller. See exact shipping container dimensions below. These container sizes cover most residential, commercial, and agricultural projects and give you a clear sense of the size of shipping container that will work for you.
When people ask about the dimensions of a shipping container, they are usually comparing different shipping container size options for storage, shipping, or building projects.
Common Shipping Container Sizes Snapshot
Below is a quick view of standard shipping container size options that most customers use. Use this snapshot when you want to know the exact dimensions of a shipping container before you order.
20ft Standard Dry (8'6" x 8' x 20')
40ft Standard Dry (8'6" x 8' x 40')
40ft High Cube (9'6" x 8' x 40')
These shipping container sizes are the most common standard shipping container size choices for storage, building, and freight shipping.
Rare Conex Box Container Sizes
Rare conex box shipping container sizes include the 10 ft and 53 ft containers. Due to a smaller secondary market for these sizes, they can be very costly when available. The 10 ft container is often used for smaller shipments or specialized freight, while the 53 ft container is an extra-long option for larger loads.
Customers looking for a 10 ft container will find that a 20 ft container, which is twice the size, typically costs less than a 10 ft unit. For those seeking a larger container than the 40 ft, it may be more cost-effective to purchase two 40 ft containers. This often results in a much lower cost per square foot compared to a 53 ft unit.
We understand that some customers may require a smaller 10 ft container due to space limitations, and we are here to help you find the right solution for your needs.
What Materials Are Used To Make Shipping Containers?
Shipping containers are often referred to as Conex boxes or ISO containers. They're all referring to the same type of steel container used for shipping goods internationally or domestically. All shipping containers are made to the same specifications per the International Shipping Organization (ISO) Standards with the same type of steel, thickness, structural beam to insure uniformity between all shipping container manufactures worldwide.
These containers are built to last. The primary material used to build an ISO shipping container is Cor-ten steel, also known as “weathering steel”. Cor-ten steel is a corrosion-resistant steel that is used in many industries where exposed steel is in harsh conditions. They also feature continuously welded steel framing to support an incredible amount of weight. The size of shipping container you choose does not change the core structural materials.
Here are the dimensions of the materials used to make shipping containers:
- Walls: 14-gauge corrugated steel sheets with .075-inch thickness
- Framing: 7-gauge tubular steel with 0.187-inch thickness
- Floor Structure:6” steel cross members
- Flooring:Purin reinforced 1-⅝” Marine Plywood Floors
How Many Square Feet Are In Shipping Containers?
Deciphering the interior square footage within standard shipping containers clarifies how much floor space you'll have for your projects or storage. Square footage is another way to understand shipping container size without memorizing every shipping container measurement. As mentioned earlier, the inside dimensions of a shipping container are smaller than the exterior dimensions due to the space that the conex box walls and framing take up. Here's the essential square footage info:
- 10-foot container: 80 square feet on the exterior and about 75 square feet on the interior.
- 20-foot container: 160 square feet on the exterior and about 150 square feet on the interior.
- 40-foot container: 320 square feet on the exterior and about 300 square feet on the interior.
- 40-foot High Cube: 320 square feet on the exterior and about 300 square feet on the interior.
How Many Cubic Feet Do Shipping Containers Have?
Buying a shipping container requires understanding the cubic footage of different shipping container sizes. It helps in selecting the right unit for your storage, shipping or building needs. Here's a quick rundown of exterior and interior cubic footage of shipping containers:
- 10-foot container: 680 cubic feet on the exterior and about 560 cubic feet on the interior.
- 20-foot container: 1,360 cubic feet on the exterior and around 1,172 cubic feet on the interior.
- 40-foot container: 2,720 cubic feet on the exterior and about 2,350 cubic feet on the interior.
- 40-foot High Cube: 3,040 cubic feet on the exterior and about 2,694 cubic feet on the interior.
High Cube Containers Vs Standard Shipping Containers
Should I buy standard sized shipping containers or a high cube container? Shipping container dimensions are fairly simple to understand, as the only thing that really changes is the length of the shipping container, or the height if you're looking into high cube containers.
High Cube containers are a foot taller than standard shipping containers at 9.5 feet tall versus 8.5 feet tall.
High Cube containers are our best sellers because many people prefer more head space in container build projects, or they need storage space that can be stacked high. For many customers, the standard shipping container size is ideal, while others appreciate the extra headroom of a High Cube.
How to Choose the Right Container Size for Your Project
Embarking on a project that involves a shipping container means unlocking endless possibilities, whether for storage, transport, or innovative architecture. Choosing the right size is crucial, and here's how you can navigate this decision.
First, pinpoint your project's specific needs. For straightforward storage or transport, a standard 20-foot container might suffice. They're ideal for storage sheds, cabins, pop-up shops, or a shipping container garage. This container size works well when you need a balance of cost, space, and mobility.
However, if you're dreaming bigger — like constructing a container home, a container office, or a spacious art studio — a 40-foot container provides double the space, making it suitable for such ambitious projects. Its ample room is perfect for a chic, modern dwelling or a dynamic work environment.
For projects needing extra height, high-cube containers are perfect. They're a favorite for carports, commercial spaces, or tiny homes, offering that much-needed headroom or loft space. The size of shipping container you select depends on your layout, access, and budget.
How Much Do Shipping Containers Weigh?
Navigating the world of shipping can be a bit like learning a new language, especially when it comes to understanding all the jargon. Let's break down some of that heavyweight lingo — specifically tare, payload, and gross mass — so you can feel like the captain of your shipping endeavors!
First off, “tare weight” is just a fancy term for how much an empty container weighs. Different shipping container sizes and shipping container dimensions come with different tare weights.
- 10-foot shipping containers weigh about 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg)
- 20-foot shipping containers weigh about 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg)
- 40-foot shipping containers weigh about 8,300 pounds (3,750 kg)
- 40-foot High Cube containers weigh about 8,800 pounds (4,000 kg)
What is the Payload Weight For Conex Shipping Containers
The “payload” is the total weight of the cargo you can safely pack into your container. 40 foot containers can be loaded with up to 63,000 lbs of weight and stacked 10 high. That is why they are so useful for building multi-story homes, apartment buildings, and college dorms. Here are the precise payload capacities for every shipping container size.
- 10-foot shipping containers can safely hold about 20,000 pounds (9,071 kg)
- 20-foot shipping containers can safely hold about 61,729 pounds (28,000 kg)
- 40-foot shipping containers can safely hold about 63,053 pounds (28,600 kg)
- 40-foot High Cube containers can safely hold about 63,053 pounds (28,600 kg)
What Are The Sizes Of Conex Box Shipping Containers For Sale?
We sell 3 sizes of conex box shipping containers: 20 foot standard, 40 foot standard, and 40 foot High Cube. ‘Foot' refers to the length of the container. These container sizes match the most requested standard shipping container size options on the market.
20 Ft Shipping Container Dimensions
20 foot Standard shipping containers are some of the most common shipping containers available for purchase and for freight and storage. 20 ft shipping containers have a length of 20 feet, a height of 8'6", and a width of 8 feet. Internally, their dimensions are 19'5" long, 7'8" wide, and 7'9" high. Their gross weight is 4,500 lbs. The door opening is 7'8" wide and 7'5" tall. Their square footage is 160 sq ft on the outside and around 150 sq ft on the inside. The cubic footage of storage space in a 20 ft Standard container is approximately 1,360 cubic feet on the exterior.
Shop 20ft Containers40 Ft Standard Shipping Container Dimensions
40 foot shipping containers are the most often used as freight shipping containers for big businesses trading overseas. The shipping container dimensions for a 40 ft container are 40 ft long, 8'6" high, and 8 feet wide. Internally, these dimensions are 39' long, 7'8" wide, and 7'9" high. They have a gross weight of 8,500 lbs. The door opening is 7'8" wide and 7'5" tall. Their square footage is 320 sq ft on the outside and 300 sq ft on the inside. The cubic footage of storage space in a 40 ft Standard container is approximately 2,720 cubic feet on the exterior.
Shop 40ft Containers40 Ft High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions
40 foot High Cube shipping containers are one foot taller than standard 40 foot containers. The shipping container dimensions for a 40 ft HC container are 40 ft long, 9'6" high, and 8 feet wide. Internally, these dimensions are 39'4" long, 7'7" wide, and 8'9" high. They have a gross weight of 8,750 lbs. The door opening is 7'8" wide and 8'5" tall. Their square footage is 320 sq ft on the outside and 300 sq ft on the inside. The cubic footage of storage space in a 40 ft High Cube container is approximately 3,040 cubic feet on the exterior.
Shop 40ft HC ContainersShipping Container Office Dimensions
Shipping container offices are modified containers that provide a secure, weatherproof workspace. They are typically built from 20 ft or 40 ft standard containers, with the interior finished with insulation, electrical wiring, lighting, and optional HVAC. A 20 ft office container provides about 150 sq ft of usable interior space, while a 40 ft office container offers around 300 sq ft. Door openings and window placements are customised based on the office layout.
Shop Container OfficesShipping Container Home Dimensions
Shipping container homes are built from standard 20 ft and 40 ft containers, either as single units or combined multi-container builds. A 20 ft container provides 160 sq ft of exterior floor space, while a 40 ft container provides 320 sq ft. High Cube containers are popular for homes because the extra foot of height (9'6" vs 8'6") provides more headroom for insulation, ceiling fixtures, and loft spaces. Multiple containers can be combined side-by-side or stacked to create larger floor plans.
Shop Container HomesRoll-Up Door Dimensions
Roll-up doors are a popular modification for shipping containers, providing easy access without the need to swing open the standard cargo doors. Common roll-up door sizes are 6 ft wide x 7 ft high and 8 ft wide x 7 ft high. The door is installed on the end of the container, replacing a section of the corrugated wall. Roll-up doors are made from galvanised steel and can be locked with a padlock for security.
Shop Roll-Up Doors