News & Articles
Shipping Container Dimensions & Sizes
Shipping containers come in a range of standard sizes, which are defined by their length in feet. Most containers are a similar width and there are two common heights, a general purpose or high cube variant. More about that later.
How big is a shipping container?
They range in size from 8ft, or 2.43m, all the way up to 48ft, or 14.63m.
A 20ft container, measures 6.05m long x 2.43m wide x 2.59m tall. It is the most commonly available container size.
It's important to note the following dimensions and weights can vary slightly between builds.
Shipping Container Sizes and Dimensions
Standard Shipping Container Dimensions
With so many different container sizes, there is no 'standard' shipping container. However the most common shipping container is the 20ft container.
10ft Shipping Container Dimensions |
|||||
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
2,831 |
Length (mm) |
2,991 |
Tare (kg) |
1,300 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,350 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
8,860 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,390 |
Height (mm) |
2,591 |
MGW (kg) |
10,160 |
20ft Shipping Container Dimensions |
|||||
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,898 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
2,120 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,352 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
28,360 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,390 |
Height (mm) |
2,591 |
MGW (kg) |
30,480 |
20ft High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions |
|||||
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,898 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
2,315 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,352 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
28,165 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,700 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
30,480 |
40ft Shipping Container Dimensions |
|||||
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
12,032 |
Length (mm) |
12,192 |
Tare (kg) |
3,490 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,352 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
26,990 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,393 |
Height (mm) |
2,591 |
MGW (kg) |
30,480 |
40ft High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions |
|||||
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
12,032 |
Length (mm) |
12,192 |
Tare (kg) |
4,670 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,350 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
29,330 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,695 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
34,000 |
Shipping Container Height - What's the difference between a General Purpose and High Cube?
General Purpose Container
The external height of a general purpose container is 8’6”, or 2.59m tall. The internal height varies slightly, but is ~2.39m high.
High Cube Container
A high cube container has an additional foot of height, so externally it measures 9’6”, or 2.89m tall. The internal height of a high cube container varies slightly, but is ~2.69m high.
High cubes were originally introduced to provide additional internal storage for the purpose of furniture storage and transport, but the benefits have extended into other uses also.
You can tell if a container is a high cube by looking at it if you see black and yellow tape next to the corner castings.
Is a 20ft shipping container as tall as a 40ft shipping container?
Generally speaking, yes.
A 10ft General Purpose container is the same height as a 20ft General Purpose container, which is the same height as a 40ft General Purpose container. The same goes for high cube variants.
High cube...
...not a High Cube
Tare
Tare weight is the weight of an empty shipping container. For context, a 20ft shipping container weighs ~2,100kg empty.
Payload
A shipping container’s payload is the total weight of the cargo or goods that it can hold. For context, a 20ft shipping container can hold just over 28,000kg.
Maximum Gross Weight (MGW)
Maximum Gross Weight is the total maximum weight that is permitted for the container. It equals the Tare + Payload, or put simply, the weight of the container and the maximum amount of goods it can carry safely.
Shipping Container Dimensions & Sizes
Shipping containers come in a wide range of sizes. For storage containers, the most common size is 20ft, however there are others designed to cater for your storage needs or fit in the space available at your site.
8ft Shipping Container Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
2,287 |
Length (mm) |
2,438 |
Tare (kg) |
950 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,112 |
Width (mm) |
2,200 |
Payload (kg) |
5,050 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,067 |
Height (mm) |
2,260 |
MGW (kg) |
6,000 |
The 8ft shipping container is less common, but still a popular choice for space constrained sites that require extra storage. Courtyard homes, small business and sports clubs are well suited to containers of this size.
10ft Shipping Container Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
2,831 |
Length (mm) |
2,991 |
Tare (kg) |
1,300 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,350 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
8,860 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,390 |
Height (mm) |
2,591 |
MGW (kg) |
10,160 |
Of the mini shipping containers available, 10ft Shipping Containers are the most commonly available. They provide ample space for onsite storage, but are still less common than 20ft containers.
20ft Shipping Container Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,898 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
2,120 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,352 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
28,360 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,390 |
Height (mm) |
2,591 |
MGW (kg) |
30,480 |
The original and most common type of container, the 20ft Shipping Container is everywhere.
20ft High Cube Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,898 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
2,315 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,352 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
28,165 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,700 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
30,480 |
The 20ft High Cube Shipping Container provides an additional foot of height for extra storage. These are popular for transport purposes too.
20ft Side Opening Shipping Container Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,898 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
3,200 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,287 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
20,800 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,302 |
Height (mm) |
2,591 |
MGW (kg) |
24,000 |
The 20ft Side Opening Shipping Container provides easy access to your stored goods. These are popular if you plan to regularly access stored goods.
20ft Side Opening High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,898 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
3,300 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,287 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
27,180 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,607 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
30,480 |
The 20ft side opening high cube shipping container provides easy access to your stored goods with an additional foot of height. These are popular if you plan to regularly access stored goods, and need a little extra storage space.
40ft Shipping Container Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
12,032 |
Length (mm) |
12,192 |
Tare (kg) |
3,490 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,352 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
26,990 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,393 |
Height (mm) |
2,591 |
MGW (kg) |
30,480 |
The 40ft shipping container is another common size. These are not much more expensive than 20ft variants and store a lot of goods.
40ft High Cube Container Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
12,032 |
Length (mm) |
12,192 |
Tare (kg) |
4,670 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,350 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
29,330 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,695 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
34,000 |
If space is not an issue, the 40ft high cube shipping container is often the most popular choice for large scale storage and transport.
Site Sheds Dimensions and Sizes
Site sheds provide a safe environment for your team to work from or take a well earned break. They are a staple on construction and projects sites. Our Site Sheds come in two main sizes, 20ft and 40ft.
20ft Ablution Block Dimensions
|
VOLUME |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,770 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
3,590 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,150 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
6,410 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,440 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
10,000 |
Release the load in our 20ft ablution block, often the most important building on site.
20ft Lunch Room Dimensions
|
VOLUME |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,770 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
3,370 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,150 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
6,630 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,440 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
10,000 |
The 20ft crib room provides a safe, comfortable place for your team to take a break and refuel.
20ft Site Office Dimensions
|
VOLUME |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,770 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
3,340 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,150 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
6,660 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,440 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
10,000 |
The 20ft site office can be configured to suit your requirements and help better manage your project onsite.
Dangerous Goods Container Dimensions
Dangerous Goods Containers come in a range of sizes. They are designed to safely store a range of dangerous goods, chemicals and corrosives.
Chemical Storage Cabinet Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
2,100 |
Length (mm) |
2,163 |
Tare (kg) |
900 |
|
Width (mm) |
1,345 |
Width (mm) |
1,425 |
Payload (kg) |
3,000 |
|
Height (mm) |
1,675 |
Height (mm) |
2,289 |
MGW (kg) |
3,900 |
Store your dangerous goods safely on space constrained sites in a Chemical Storage Cabinet for much less than the cost of a dangerous goods container. Can be located inside or outside.
10ft Dangerous Goods Container Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
2,840 |
Length (mm) |
2,991 |
Tare (kg) |
1,800 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,370 |
Width (mm) |
2,438 |
Payload (kg) |
8,360 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,586 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
10,160 |
Our 10ft Dangerous Goods container allows you to store more dangerous goods on your site. Get it out of your workshop so you can free up space and store them safely.
20ft Dangerous Goods Single Side Door Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,898 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
4,000 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,309 |
Width (mm) |
2,450 |
Payload (kg) |
16,000 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,586 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
20,000 |
Our 20ft Single Side Door Dangerous Goods container allows you to store and access dangerous goods from one whole side. Safe and easy access makes your day that much easier.
Refrigerated Container Dimensions
Refrigerated containers come in a range of sizes, some less common than standard containers. They are available in 20ft, 41ft, 46ft and 48ft lengths.
20ft Cool Room Container Dimensions
|
INTERNAL |
EXTERNAL |
WEIGHT |
|||
|
Length (mm) |
5,468 |
Length (mm) |
6,058 |
Tare (kg) |
3,740 |
|
Width (mm) |
2,375 |
Width (mm) |
2,500 |
Payload (kg) |
31,260 |
|
Height (mm) |
2,580 |
Height (mm) |
2,896 |
MGW (kg) |
35,000 |
Our 20ft Cool Room is suited to onsite cold storage, at manufacturing facilities or events. It can also transport temperature sensitive pallets and cargo.
Subscribe & stay informed
Receive the latest in products, trends, news, events and tips.