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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 (8ft 6in) and “high cube” (9ft 6in), 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.
| 10ft Standard | 20ft Standard | 40ft Standard | 40ft High Cube | |
| External | ||||
| Length | 10ft | 20ft | 40ft | 40ft |
| Width | 8ft | 8ft | 8ft | 8ft |
| Height | 8ft 6in | 8ft 6in | 8ft 6in | 9ft 6in |
| Internal | ||||
| Length | 9ft 4in | 19ft 4in | 39ft 4in | 39ft 4in |
| Width | 7ft 8.6in | 7ft 8in | 7ft 8in | 8ft 8in |
| Height | 7ft 10.2in | 7ft 9in | 7ft 9in | 8ft 9in |
| Door Opening | ||||
| Width | 7ft 8.5in | 7ft 8in | 7ft 8in | 7ft 8in |
| Height | 7ft 8.5in | 7ft 5in | 7ft 5in | 8ft 5in |
| 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 |
The key difference between a standard and a high cube shipping container is height. A standard container stands 8 ft 6 in tall, while a high cube container adds an extra foot, measuring 9 ft 6 in tall. That additional space may not sound like much, but it provides a noticeable increase in interior volume—ideal for storing taller equipment, adding insulation, or building out container conversions such as offices or workshops.
High cube containers also allow for better airflow and temperature control, making them a popular choice for modified spaces or climate-sensitive storage. Standard containers, on the other hand, are preferred for general-purpose storage, transportation, and cost efficiency.
To help decide which option best fits your project, read our full guide on choosing between Standard and High Cube containers.
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) | 10ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 9ft 4in x 7ft 8.6in x 7ft 10.2in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 8.5in x 7ft 8.5in |
| Cubic Capacity | 561 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 2,850 lbs |
Great option for storage garages or sheds as well as pop-up shops and portable bathrooms.
| Dimension Type | Measurements |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19ft 11in x 8ft x 8ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19ft 4in x 7ft 9in x 7ft 8in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 5in x 7ft 8in |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,165 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 4,853 lbs |
Great for a restaurant, café, school, shop, bar, gym, greenhouse, cabin, garage, shelter, workshop, or storage.
| Dimension Type | Measurements |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39ft 4in x 7ft 9in x 7ft 8in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 8in x 7ft 5in |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,390 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 7,800 lbs |
Great for a movie screen back drop, event space, commercial office, art gallery, hotel, gym, hospitals, library, student housing.
| Dimension Type | Measurements |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40ft x 8ft x 9ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39ft 4in x 7ft 9in x 8ft 10in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 8in x 8ft 6in |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,700 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 8,160 lbs |
Double door containers (doors on both ends), also known as tunnel containers, make loading, unloading, and sorting of goods easier and more flexible as you can access the container from both ends. It can also be repurposed as a general dry container as well by closing one of the doors permanently.
| Dimension Type | Measurements |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 20ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19ft 4in x 7ft 8in x 7ft 9in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 8in x 7ft 5in |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,172 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 5,071.5 lbs |
Double Door Containers have two sets of double doors on each end of the cargo container thus creating a tunnel when both doors are opened. The main purpose of the extra set of doors is for easier access on both sides of the container.
| Dimension Type | Measurements |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39ft 4in x 7ft 9in x 7ft 10in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 8in x 7ft 6in |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,377 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 8,160 lbs |
Open-sided containers make managing cargo easy and functional. Items can be loaded and unloaded much faster as compared to an ISO container.
| Dimension Type | Measurements |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 20ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19ft 4in x 7ft 8in x 7ft 9in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 8in x 7ft 5in |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,172 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 5,071.5 lbs |
Open-sided containers make managing cargo easy and functional. Items can be loaded and unloaded much faster as compared to an ISO container.
| Dimension Type | Measurements |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40ft x 8ft x 9ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39ft 4in x 7ft 9in x 8ft 10in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 8in x 8ft 6in |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,700 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 8,160 lbs |
A Double Door, High Cube shipping container features the added benefit of an extra foot of vertical storage that is ideal for storing larger items. The second set of doors (also known as a tunnel container) facilitates easy loading/unloading and provides additional secure access to the container.
| Dimension Type | Measurements |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40ft x 8ft x 9ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39ft 4in x 7ft 9in x 8ft 10in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 8in x 8ft 6in |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,700 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 8,160 lbs |
Ship used goods that are too heavy or large, like: machines, pipes, steel bars, wire, scrap metal, trees, and construction materials; also, this size container is perfect for swimming pools.
| Dimension Type | Measurements |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 20ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19in 4in x 7ft 8in x 7ft 9in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 8in x 7ft 5in |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,172 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 5,071.5 lbs |
| Dimension Type | Measurements |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 40ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 39ft 4in x 7ft 9in x 7ft 8in |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7ft 5in x 7ft 8in |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,330.8 cu ft |
| Tare weight (on average) | 9,039 lbs |
Compared to other sizes and types, the 20 ft. container is typicallymore affordable,highly versatile, andeasy 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.
The first step to choosing the right size container is to determine your exact and specific project needs. When choosing how big a shipping container needed, you should consider the following:
20ft vs. 40ft Container
Although a 20ft shipping container costs less than a 40ft unit, the 40ft often offers a better value. In most cases, you get nearly double the storage space for only a modest increase in price.
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.
8’6″ vs. 9’6″
Standard height containers are 8ft 6in high and High Cube Containers are 9ft 6in high. To accommodate bigger or taller items, you may choose a High Cube container.
Typically, a 20ft container needs 50-75ft of straight-line space, and a 40ft container needs 130ft 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
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.
What are the standard dimensions of a shipping container?
A standard shipping container is typically 8 feet wide and 8 feet 6 inches tall, with lengths of 10 ft, 20 ft, or 40 ft. The most common size is the 20-foot container, which offers about 1,165 cubic feet of interior space.
What is the difference between a standard and high cube container?
A high cube container is one foot taller than a standard unit, measuring 9 feet 6 inches in height. That extra foot of space makes it ideal for storing taller equipment, stacking pallets, or creating modified container builds like offices and workshops.
How much space do I need for delivery of a shipping container?
For ground delivery using a tilt-bed truck, plan for about 80 to 120 feet of straight clearance depending on container length, and at least 14 feet of overhead clearance. The delivery area should be firm, level, and free of obstacles so the driver can safely set the container down.
Can a car or vehicle fit inside a shipping container?
Yes. A 20-foot container can fit most small cars, ATVs, and motorcycles. Larger vehicles or trucks usually need a 40-foot or 40-foot High Cube container for adequate clearance and loading space.
What’s the internal usable space inside each container size?
These measurements may vary slightly by manufacturer or flooring type.
Are all shipping containers the same width?
Yes. Nearly all ISO-standard shipping containers are 8 feet wide, regardless of height or length. This uniform width ensures easy stacking and compatibility with trucks, ships, and rail transport.
How much does an empty shipping container weigh?
Approximate empty weights are:
Weight can vary depending on the steel thickness and flooring materials used.
Can I modify a shipping container’s dimensions?
External dimensions are fixed to meet transport standards, but containers can be custom-cut or modified for specialty projects such as offices, kiosks, or workshops. Container Sales Group can assist with custom options or connect you to trusted modification partners.
Do container dimensions include the locking bars or corner castings?
Yes. External dimensions include the corner castings and door hardware. Internal measurements reflect the usable space inside the container walls, floor, and ceiling.
What size shipping container do I need for my project?
That depends on your use case. For smaller storage needs, a 10-foot unit is often sufficient but harder to find. For construction sites, general storage, or jobsite offices, the 20-foot container is most common. Large storage projects or container conversions are best suited for 40-foot or 40-foot High Cube options. If you’re unsure, call 888-320-5938 to discuss your project with a Container Sales Group specialist.
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