Shipping Container Dimensions

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SHIPPING CONTAINER DIMENSIONS AND SIZES WHEN TRANSPORTING


Updated: January 8, 2024

Share: Facebook icon to share.

Knowing the size and dimensions of shipping containers allows you to plan your transport effectively. The standard shipping container sizes are 20ft shipping containers and 40ft. Most containers can be customized to fit specific needs. For instance, some convert standard shipping containers into container homes, container pools, and more. Learn about the outside and inside dimensions of shipping containers below.


Shipping containers, also known as intermodal containers, or intermodal freight transport, can be hauled by truck, rail, boat, and more. And because they have a variety of dimensions, this makes it easy for businesses and private residents to use containers for transport. Learn about the outside and inside dimensions of shipping containers now.

Standard Shipping Container Dimensions

While the most common standard shipping container sizes are 20ft and 40ft, they also come in 6ft, 8ft, and 10ft sizes. The two most typical container sizes for transporting cargo and freight are 20ft and 40ft containers. There are two pallet types typically used in transport. The Americal pallet is 3.33ft x 3.99ft (1.016m x 1.219m), and the Euro pallet is 3.93ft x 2.62ft (1.2m x 0.8m). Shipping containers transport various cargo and can be customized for multiple uses. Knowing the size and dimensions will let you determine the best and safest container transport options.

External Standard Shipping Container Dimensions

Container Size/Type Container Length Container Width Container Height Container Weight Capacity
40ft 40ft (12.192m) 8ft (2.44m) 8'6ft (2.59m)³ 67,196lbs (30,480kg)
20ft 20ft (6.10m) 8ft (2.44m) 8'6ft (2.59m)³ 67,200lbs (30,480kg)
10ft 10ft (3.05m) 8ft (2.44m) 8'6ft (2.59m)³ 19,530lbs (8,858kg)
8ft 8ft (2.44m) 7ft (2.26m) 8'6ft (2.26m)³ 13,227lbs (6,000kg)
Transporting a 20ft shipping container.


Standard Shipping Container Internal Dimensions

Container Size/Type Container Length Container Width Container Height Max Cubic Capacity:
40ft 39'5ft (12.03m) 7'9ft (2.35m) 7'10ft (2.39m)³ 2,390 cu ft (67.67 m3)
20ft 19'4ft (5.9m) 7'9ft (2.35m) 7'10ft (2.39m)³ 1,170 cu ft (33.10 m3)
10ft 9'4ft (2.84m) 7'9ft (2.35m) 7'10ft (2.39m)³ 563 cu ft (15.95 m3)
8ft 7'6ft (2.29m) 6'11ft (2.11m) 6'6ft (2.06m)³ 351 cu ft (9.95 m3)

High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions

High cube containers differ from the standard dimensions of a container because they have an additional foot in height. You can determine if you need a high cube shipping container based on your cargo's cubic capacity. For instance, a standard 40-foot container has a maximum cubic capacity of 2,387 cubic feet. A 40ft high cube container has a maximum cubic capacity of 2,694 cu ft. So, any cargo in that range will need a high-cube shipping container.


High Cube Shipping Container External Dimensions

Container Size/Type Container Length Container Width Container Height Container Weight Capacity
20ft 20ft (6.06m) 8ft (2.44m) 9'6ft (2.90m)³ 67,196lbs (30,480kg)
40ft 39'5ft (12.2m) 8ft (2.44m) 9'6ft (2.90m)³ 67,196lbs (30,480kg)
45ft 45ft (13.71m) 7'9ft (2.43m) 9'5ft (2.89m)³ 32,500lbs (32,500 kgs)
Shipping a modular aging meat cooler.

High Cube Shipping Container Internal Dimensions

Container Size/Type Container Length Container Width Container Height Max Cubic Capacity:
20ft 19'4ft (5.90m) 7'7ft (2.35m) 8'9ft (2.69m)³ 1,320 cu ft (37.4 m3)
40ft 39'5ft (12.03m) 7'8ft (2.35m) 8'9ft (2.67m)³ 2,694 cu ft (76.2 m3)
45ft 44'5ft (13.55m) 7'8ft (2.35m) 8'9ft (2.67m)³ 3,037 cu ft (86.0 m3)

Flat Rack Container Transport

A flat rack container has a steel frame, softwood floors, and two end walls, which are either fixed or collapsible. Flat rack containers are perfect for equipment loaded from the top or sides. The team secures cargo with lash rings on the floor, corner posts, and side rails. Flat rack containers are available in 20’, 30’, and 40ft high cubes. They come in collapsible and non-collapsible forms. Standard equipment shipped on flat rack containers includes boat transportation, pipe hauling, bus shipping, jet engine transport, and more.


Flat Rack Shipping Container Dimensions

Flat Rack Size/Type Container Length Container Width Container Height Max Gross Weight Max Cubic Capacity
40ft 39'8ft (12.13m) 7'9ft (2.40m) 7ft (2.14 m)³ 88,200lbs (40,000kg) 2,195.7 cu ft (39.8 m3)
40ft High Cube 39'8ft (12.13m) 7'9ft (2.40m) 7'5ft (2.29m)³ 104,280lbs (47,300kg) 2,354.3 cu ft (66.7 m3)
20ft 19'5ft (5.94 m) 7'7ft (2.35m) 7'7ft (2.35m)³ 66,458.7lbs (30,140kg) 2,195.7 cu ft (62.2 m3)

Tank Container Transport

A tank container is a standard intermodal shipping container for fuel, liquids, powders, and more. They are known as ISO tank containers and tanktainers. Tank containers, generally made of stainless steel, have an insulated layer of aluminum or polyurethane. The materials transported determine the best type of metal and insulation. ISO tanks are effective transport solutions and can be shipped via truck, rail, and air.


Tank Container Capacity Working Pressure Test Pressure Max Cargo Temp Steam Heating Coil Payload
21,000L 58 PSI (4.00 BAR) 87 PSI (6.00 BAR) 266°F (120°C)³ 86.11 sq ft (8m²) 71,319lbs (32,350kg)
24,000L 58 PSI (4.00 BAR) 87 PSI (6.00 BAR) 266°F (120°C)³ 86.11 sq ft (8m²) 70,768 gal (32,100kg)
25,000L 58 PSI (4.00 BAR) 87 PSI (6.00 BAR) 266°F (130°C)³ 86.11 sq ft (8m²) 71,143lbs (32,270kg)
26,000L 58 PSI (4.00 BAR) 87 PSI (6.00 BAR) 266°F (130°C)³ 86.11 sq ft (8m²) 79,366lbs (36,000kg)

Half Height Shipping Container Dimensions

Half-height containers are open-top stackable containers. They are common in offshore oil and gas, wind energy, maritime, and other industries to transport heavy equipment that is high-density, but low volume. Anchors, pipes, and other bulk materials are standard freight. The mining industry commonly uses half-height containers for mineral transport. Half-height containers are easily transported by truck, rail, or sea.


Half Height Size/Type Container Length Container Width Container Height Max Gross Weight Max Cubic Capacity
24ft 24ft (7.32m) 8ft (2.44m) 4'2ft (1.27m)³ 16,000kgs, 32,280lbs 12.66m³, 447ft³
20ft 20ft (6.10m) 8ft (2.44m) 4'2ft (1.27m)³ 19,380kgs, 42,725lbs 12.22m³, 431ft³
16ft 16ft (4.88m) 8ft (2.44m) 4'2 (1.27m)³ 12,900kgs, 28,440lbs 8.73m³, 308ft³
10ft 10ft (3.05m) 8ft (2.44m) 4'2 (1.27m)³ 11,700kgs, 25,800lbs 5.89m³, 208ft³

Shipping Containers And Their Dimensions for Transport

Knowing the dimensions and weights of shipping containers allows you to determine the best transport method. Whether you need a standard shipping container, half-height container, or tank container, you'll still need to ensure it's loaded and moved while abiding by container transport regulations. Call us today for more information on how Heavy Equipment Transport can move your shipping container. (888) 730-2951

Transporting a shipping container.

Container Transport Services in All 50 States