Home » Shipping Container Specifications
TWISTED S CONTAINERS
Looking for more information about shipping containers? Twisted S Containers can answer your questions and help you solve problems related to shipping containers.
Shipping container dimensions and capacities
It’s important to know what standard shipping container is best for your construction site, small businesses, or any project needing repurposed shipping containers. Not only do you need to plan for your project site and surrounding area, but also for the type of equipment and tools you’ll need to complete the job. In addition, knowing the sizes and dimensions make it that much easier for delivery and use of the container.So, before you start on your portable office or container home, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of standard containers!
Typical shipping containers, known as ISO (International Standards Organization) shipping containers, are manufactured to identical size specifications, in terms of exterior length, width, and height. Standardized sizes mean that shipping companies can easily stack, handle, and move containers.The standardization of containers and the adoption of the ISO specifications also ensure that all equipment handlers, chassis, rail cars, and slot spaces on vessels can accommodate all containers. Interior shipping container specifications have a little bit of variation, but the difference is within 1 inch.
Using shipping containers as storage units has changed the storage industry. Many prefer the convenience of a mobile storage container vs. standard mini storage container. This guide is designed to help you become informed about typical container sizes and common shipping container storage questions. Be confident in finding the best for your portable storage or overall storage container needs.
| Typical Steel Shipping Container Sizes and Dimensions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior | Interior | Door Opening | |||||||
| Length | Width | Height | Length | Width | Height | Width | Height | ||
| 10′ Standard Dry Container | 10' | 8' | 8' 6" | 9' 3" | 7' 8" | 7' 9.875" | 7' 8" | 7' 5" | |
| 20′ Standard Dry Container | 20' | 8' | 8' 6" | 19' 3" | 7' 8" | 7' 9.875" | 7' 8" | 7' 5" | |
| 40′ Standard Dry Container | 40' | 8' | 8' 6" | 39' 5" | 7' 8" | 7' 9.875" | 7' 8" | 7' 5" | |
| 40′ High Cube Dry Container | 40' | 8' | 9' 6" | 39' 5" | 7' 8" | 8' 10" | 7' 8" | 8' 5.5" | |
| 45′ High Cube Dry Container | 45′ | 8' | 9' 6" | 44' 5" | 7' 8" | 8' 10" | 7' 8" | 8' 5.5" | |
| 20′ Refrigerated Container | 19' 10.5" | 8' | 8' 6" | 17' 11" | 7' 6" | 7' 6" | 7' 5" | 7' 3" | |
| 40′ Refrigerated Container | 40' | 8' | 8' 6" | 37' 11" | 7' 6" | 7' 6" | 7' 6" | 7' 6" | |
| 40′ High Cube Refrigerated Container | 40' | 8' | 9' 6" | 37' 11" | 7' 6" | 8' 4" | 7' 6" | 8' 4" | |
| Typical Dimensions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10′ Standard Dry Container | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 10' | 8' | 8' 6" | |||||||
| Interior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 9' 3" | 7' 8" | 7' 9.875" | |||||||
| Door Opening | |||||||||
| Width | Height | ||||||||
| 7' 8" | 7' 5" | ||||||||
| 20′ Standard Dry Container | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 20' | 8' | 8' 6" | |||||||
| Interior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 19' 3" | 7' 8" | 7' 9.875" | |||||||
| Door Opening | |||||||||
| Width | Height | ||||||||
| 7' 8" | 7' 5" | ||||||||
| 40′ Standard Dry Container | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 40' | 8' | 8' 6" | |||||||
| Interior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 39' 5" | 7' 8" | 7' 9.875" | |||||||
| Door Opening | |||||||||
| Width | Height | ||||||||
| 7' 8" | 7' 5" | ||||||||
| 40′ High Cube Dry Container | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 40' | 8' | 9' 6" | |||||||
| Interior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 39' 5" | 7' 8" | 8' 10" | |||||||
| Door Opening | |||||||||
| Width | Height | ||||||||
| 7' 8" | 8' 5.5" | ||||||||
| 45′ High Cube Dry Container | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 45′ | 8' | 9' 6" | |||||||
| Interior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 44' 5" | 7' 8" | 8' 10" | |||||||
| Door Opening | |||||||||
| Width | Height | ||||||||
| 7' 8" | 8' 5.5" | ||||||||
| 20′ Refrigerated Container | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 19' 10.5" | 8' | 8' 6" | |||||||
| Interior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 17' 11" | 7' 6" | 7' 6" | |||||||
| Door Opening | |||||||||
| Width | Height | ||||||||
| 7' 5" | 7' 3" | ||||||||
| 40′ Refrigerated Container | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 40' | 8' | 8' 6" | |||||||
| Interior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 37' 11" | 7' 6" | 7' 6" | |||||||
| Door Opening | |||||||||
| Width | Height | ||||||||
| 7' 6" | 7' 6" | ||||||||
| 40′ High Cube Refrigerated Container | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 40' | 8' | 9' 6" | |||||||
| Interior | |||||||||
| Length | Width | Height | |||||||
| 37' 11" | 7' 6" | 8' 4" | |||||||
| Door Opening | |||||||||
| Width | Height | ||||||||
| 7' 6" | 8' 4" | ||||||||
| Typical Shipping Container Weights/Capacity | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic Capacity | Tare Weight | Max Gross | Max Payload | ||||||
| 20′ Standard Dry Container | 1,165 cu. ft. | 5,050 | 67,200 | 62,150 | |||||
| 40′ Standard Dry Container | 2,350 cu. ft. | 8,000 | 67,200 | 59,200 | |||||
| 40′ High Cube Dry Container | 2694 cu. ft. | 8,775 | 67,200 | 58,425 | |||||
| 45′ High Cube Dry Container | 3043 cu. ft. | 8,775 | 67,200 | 58,425 | |||||
| 20′ Refrigerated Container | 1,010 cu. ft. (967)** | 6,503 | 52,800 | 46,407 | |||||
| 40′ Refrigerated Container | 2,051 cu. ft. (1959)** | 9,700 | 67,200 | 57,450 | |||||
| 40′ High Cube Refrigerated Container | 2,380 cu. ft. (2,289)** | 9,590 | 70,550 | 60,960 | |||||
| Typical Weights/Capacity | |
|---|---|
| 20' Standard Dry Container | |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,165 cu. ft. |
| Tare Weight | 5,050 |
| Max Gross | 67,200 |
| Max Payload | 62,150 |
| 40′ Standard Dry Container | |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,350 cu. ft. |
| Tare Weight | 8,000 |
| Max Gross | 67,200 |
| Max Payload | 59,200 |
| 40′ High Cube Dry Container | |
| Cubic Capcity | 2694 cu. ft. |
| Tare Weight | 8,775 |
| Max Gross | 67,200 |
| Max Payload | 58,425 |
| 45′ High Cube Dry Container | |
| Cubic Capacity | 3043 cu. ft. |
| Tare Weight | 8,775 |
| Max Gross | 67,200 |
| Max Payload | 58,425 |
| 20′ Refrigerated Container | |
| Cubic Capacity | 1,010 cu. ft. (967)** |
| Tare Weight | 6,503 |
| Max Gross | 52,800 |
| Max Payload | 46,407 |
| 40′ Refrigerated Container | |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,051 cu. ft. (1959)** |
| Tare Weight | 9,700 |
| Max Gross | 67,200 |
| Max Payload | 57,450 |
| 40′ High Cube Refrigerated Container | |
| Cubic Capacity | 2,380 cu. ft. (2,289)** |
| Tare Weight | 9,590 |
| Max Gross | 70,550 |
| Max Payload | 60,960 |
GENERAL SHIPPING CONTAINER SIZE FAQS
Shipping containers are 8 feet wide. While they vary in length and height, 8 feet wide is the standard.
Most shipping containers are 8 feet 6 inches tall. However, there is a special subset called high cube shipping containers, which measure 9 feet 6 inches tall. High cube containers are much less common.
Length is where shipping containers vary. They generally vary between 10 and 45 feet long. The most common shipping container lengths are 20 and 40-foot sizes.
While all standardized ISO containers are 8 feet wide, shipping containers vary in length and height. Shipping containers come in several standardized sizes, including 10 foot, 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot lengths. In terms of height, containers are generally 8 feet 6 inches tall, though a special variation, called high cube containers are one foot taller, at 9 foot 6 inches.
Empty, 20-foot standard shipping containers weigh approximately 5,000 pounds while empty 40-foot containers weigh approximately 8,000 pounds. Fully loaded containers weigh approximately 67,000 pounds.
A steel storage container offers quite a bit of space. A 20-foot container can hold the contents of a one- to two-bedroom apartment. Alternatively, that space can fit 200 full-sized mattresses or 50 to 60 refrigerators. A car will fit into a 20-foot container, with room left over for cargo.
20 Foot Shipping Container Dimensions & FAQS
20 Foot Shipping Container FAQs
A 20 foot standard container measures 8 feet wide on the exterior and 7 feet 8 inches wide on the interior.
5,050 pounds empty.
The maximum load that a 20 foot container can carry is 62,150 pounds, for a max gross weight of 67,200 pounds.
20 foot containers are 8 feet wide by 8 feet 6 inches high.
The inside of a 20 foot shipping container measures 19 feet 3 inches long by 7 feet 8 inches wide by 7 feet 9 inches inches tall.
9-10 standard 40 by 48 inch pallets will fit in a 20 foot container.
700-1,000 boxes will fit in a 20 foot container.
A 20 foot container has 147.5 square feet of floor space.
A standard 20 foot shipping container has a capacity of 1,165 cubic feet.
40 Foot Shipping Container Dimensions & FAQS
40 Foot Shipping Container FAQs
A 40 foot steel container is 8 feet wide on the exterior and 7 feet 8 inches wide on the interior — standard for all container sizes.
A 40 foot shipping container weighs 8,000 pounds empty and can carry a max payload of 59,200, for a max weight of 67,200 pounds.
The max weight for a 40 foot container is 67,200 pounds.
A typical 40 foot container is 8 feet 6 inches high, 8 feet wide and 40 feet long.
The inside of a standard 40-foot shipping container is a bit narrower than its exterior, but not much. 39 feet 5 inches long, 7 foot 8 inches wide by 7 foot 9 inches high.
20-21 standard size 40 by 48-inch pallets (the most common pallet size) fit, single-level in a 40 foot shipping container.
A lot of boxes. Approximately 1,200 to 1,400 boxes fit in a 40 foot container.
A 40 foot shipping container’s interior is 302 square feet and 2,350 cubic feet.
A 40 foot container has a capacity of 2,350 cubic feet.
High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions & FAQS
9 ft 6 inches high x 8 feet wide. They vary in length.
A 40 foot high cube shipping container has the capacity of 2,694 cubic feet.
High cube containers measure 9 feet 6 inches on the exterior and 8 feet 10 inches on the interior.