Shipping Container Dimensions
Everything You Need to Know About Shipping Container Types and Dimensions
Updated April 6, 2022
When it comes to shipping freight in containers, it's important to get one with the right size and most suitable for your needs. There are many different types of shipping containers with unique uses and dimensions. It’s important to note that despite shipping containers being used for different purposes, the majority of them are 20ft and 40ft are modified to meet your needs. Below we’ll give you the overall shipping container dimensions, their uses, weight capacities, and the number of pallets they can accommodate.
- 1. Standard and High Cube Dimensions
- 2. Open Top and Reefer Container Dimensions
- 3. Flat Rack and Platform Container Dimensions
- 4. Bulk and Tank Container Dimensions
- 5. Tunnel and Open Side Container Dimensions
- 6. Insulated and Half Height Container dimensions
- 7. Car Carrier and Drum Shipping Container Dimensions
- 8. Swap Bodies and Pallet Wide Dimensions
- 9. Hard Top and Intermediate Bulk Container Dimensions
- 10.Special Purpose and Ventilated Shipping Container Dimensions
Quick View
Standard Shipping Container Dimensions
Standard shipping containers are commonly used for international shipping of ocean freight dry goods. They come in sizes of 6ft, 8ft, 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft. The base of a 40ft shipping container can accommodate about 21 pallets of the standard 1.016 m by 1.219 m American pallet type. When it comes to the European pallets that are 1.2m by 0.8m, they can hold up to 25 pallets. They accommodate these numbers of pallets given that the load isn’t landing on the sides.
A 20ft shipping container has a base that accommodates 10 standard American pallet types with dimensions of 1.016 m by 1.219 m. For the European pallets with dimensions of 1.2 m by 0.8 m, they can accommodate 11 pallets. A 10ft shipping container can be modified into a gun safe, worksite storage, garden shed, flammable goods storage, and much more. The 6ft and 8ft containers can be used to store your garden equipment, tools as well as furniture. They can also be used for storage at the back of a truck so as to keep the materials safe and dry. Below are the dimensions of each standard shipping container.
Below are the internal dimensions of different types of standard shipping containers

High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions
High cube shipping containers are quite similar to the standard containers but they are a foot taller. They’re also used for all types of general dry cargo. However, they’re most suitable for shipping light, voluminous goods, and oversized cargo. The maximum height of the cargo shouldn’t exceed 2.70 m tall as that is the standard height capacity of a high cube container. They’re made of steel or aluminum making them strong and secure. Below is a table with high cube container dimensions.
Here are clear internal dimensions of high cube shipping containers:


William Thomas
Senior Logistics Manager
Open Top Shipping Container Dimensions
Open-top shipping containers are suitable for dry cargo that’s too tall for the standard containers or heavy goods that can’t be loaded through the door and need to be lifted using a crane. They are made of corrugated steel. However, the floor is made of wood. Their roofs are convertible because they have removable bows and tarpaulin. These features make the packing and unpacking of the container easy from above or through the doors by the use of cranes when the roof is open and the door header is swiveled out. They have lashing rings that can hold up to 2,204.62 lbs in the upper and lower side rails as well as the corner posts. Below are the open-top container dimensions.
Below are the internal dimensions of open-top shipping containers:

Refrigerated ISO / Reefer Shipping Container Dimensions
A reefer container is suitable for goods that need to be shipped at a constant temperature below or above the freezing point. Therefore, it’s used for goods that are chilled or frozen. Some of the perishable goods include fruits, meat, vegetables, and dairy products such as butter and cheese. A refrigerated shipping container transporting chilled meat has special hook rails where it can be hanged. For the voluminous and lightweight goods such as fruits and flowers, a high-cube reefer container is used. A reefer container transported by road or rail is run by a generator set (genset) which is either a component of the refrigeration unit or connected to it. For the ones transported by the ship, they are connected to the onboard power supply system. In case the power supply isn’t enough for the number of refrigerated containers being shipped, large diesel generators are used. Below are the reefer container dimensions.
Below are the internal dimensions of refrigerated ISO/reefer shipping containers:

Flat Rack Container Dimensions
A flat rack container is made of steel frame and softwood floors. It has two end walls which are either fixed or collapsible. They are suitable for large and heavy loads such as pipes and machinery that need to be loaded from the top or sides. Their end walls are stable enough to allow securing of cargo. They’re equipped with lash rings on the floor, corner posts, and side rails where cargo may be secured. Flat rack containers can also be stacked on top of each other. Flat rack containers are available in 20’ and 40’. Below are the fixed and collapsible flat rack container dimensions.
Below are reliable dimensions of flat rack containers:

Platform Shipping Container Dimensions
A platform container is used for oversized and overweight cargo. They're only made of a floor structure that has an extremely high loading capacity. They don’t have side or end walls. They are made of a wooden floor structure and a steel frame. Their high loading capacity allows them to be concentrated with heavyweights on small areas. They have lashing rings that can hold loads of up to 3,000 kgs equipped in the side rails. Platform containers are available in 20ft and 40ft. When using a platform container, paying attention when securing the goods is important. This is because a platform container with goods that aren’t well secured can easily cause an accident. Below are their dimensions.
Here are the reliable dimensions of platform shipping containers.


Bulk Container Dimensions
TA bulk container is used to transport bulk goods such as grains, pet food, and spices. They have three loading manholes in the roof with diameters of about 455 mm. The distance between them is about 1.83m. On the door side, they have two discharge hatches. The two unloading hatches can also be mounted in the doorways. Bulk containers can also be used for transporting general cargo. In this case, lashing rings are installed in the top side rails for securing the goods. Some have forklift pockets for easy handling by forklift trucks. Bulk containers are mainly found in the sizes of 20 ft. Below are the bulk container dimensions.
Below are the dimensions of bulk containers.

Tank Container Dimensions
A tank container is used for the transportation of liquid substances such as foodstuffs and hazardous materials. Some examples include fuels, corrosion protection agents, sweet oils, spirits, and fruit juices. They’re made of strong steel or anti-corrosive materials to provide them with a long life. They should be 80% full so as to prevent liquid surging during transit because it’s dangerous. In addition to that, they must not be over 95% full because there needs to be room for thermal expansion. If the liquid to be transported needs to be temperature-controlled, the tank container is equipped with heating or insulation. About 95% of tank containers are 20ft. However, there are other sizes as well-meaning that it can be customized to have dimensions that will suit your needs. Below are the tank container dimensions.
Below are the dimensions of the tank containers.


Tunnel / Double Door Container Dimensions
A tunnel container has doors on both ends which are handy during the loading and unloading of materials. They are easy to convert for multiple uses. For example, part storage and part office. Tunnel containers are available in standard 20ft and 40ft as well as 40ft high cube. Most of the time, tunnel containers are customized according to the client’s needs. They’re also known as tunnel-tainers or double-ender containers. Below are the tunnel container dimensions.
Here are the dimensions of the tunnel/double door containers:

Side Door / Open Side Shipping Container Dimensions
An open side container has been modified to accommodate two sets of double doors. One of the doors is along the side of the container and the other one at the end. They open up entirely giving a wider room when it comes to loading and unloading of materials. Open side containers are made of iron and steel which make them strong and durable. They’re ideal for the transportation of bulky goods such as plant machinery or large furniture items that wouldn’t fit through standard container doors. Open side containers are available in the standard lengths of 20ft and 40ft as well as high cubes. However, their lengths can vary depending on the manufacturer or owner. Below are the open-side container dimensions.
Below are the dimensions of the side door/open side shipping containers:


Insulated / Thermal Shipping Container Dimensions
An insulated shipping container has a regulated temperature control, allowing them to keep the temperature inside steady for longer hours. They are insulated on the inside protecting it from high temperature exposure. However, unlike reefer containers, they’re powered by an external source. They’re ideal for long-distance transportation of chilled or frozen foods and goods, pharmaceuticals, and any other products sensitive to temperatures. They can also be used to make a cool and comfy workshop, studio, home office, or any other stand-alone structure. Below are the thermal/insulated shipping container dimensions.
Here are the dimensions of insulated/thermal containers:

Half Height Shipping Container Dimensions
Half-height containers are mostly made of steel. They’re half the height of the full-sized containers. They’re not big but they’re extremely heavy. Therefore, they need to be loaded with smaller quantities of goods. They’re ideal for the transportation of goods that require easy loading and unloading. Some of these goods include coal and stones. Half-height containers are solely available in the open-top format. They have no top. However, you can have it configured to have a removable hardtop and tarpaulin. They have drainage points and barn doors just like the standard containers. Half-height shipping containers dimensions aren’t standard. This means you can have your half-height shipping container customized to your own liking. Below are the half-height container dimensions.
Below are the dimensions of half-height shipping containers.
