Dimensions and sizes of shipping containers

Container transport represents one of the most efficient and economical ways of transporting goods. When selecting the right container for your needs, it is important to know the different types and sizes of available containers. In this article, we will look at the basic dimensions and specifications of various types of shipping containers. Shipping container classification and their detailed description can be found at the link provided.

Using the right type and size of container can significantly impact the efficiency and cost of transporting your goods. We hope this overview helps you choose the most suitable container for your needs.

Shipping Container Sizes (Length)

The dimensions and sizes of shipping containers – there are several different types. The most commonly used shipping container sizes are 20 feet (6.1 meters) and 40 feet (12.2 meters). These two container sizes are considered standard and are also the most widely used. However, there are also other sizes, such as 10 feet (3.05 meters), 45 feet (13.7 meters), or 53 feet (16.15 meters) and other specific sizes.

How to make sense of this? What do 20′, 40′ DD, SD, and all the other abbreviations for shipping containers mean? You can read more about this in our overview of shipping container classification.

Container Width

The standard container width is 8 feet (2.44 meters), which corresponds to the width of a road. The height of shipping containers is usually 8.5 feet (2.59 meters).

Container Height

However, there are containers with higher or lower heights, such as high cube containers 9.5 feet / 2.89 meters tall. Half height containers are 4.25 feet / 1.29 meters tall.

The length of containers remains constant and is determined by the size of the container, either 20 feet, 40 feet, or another specific length. This consistent length allows for easy stacking and coupling of containers on a ship, train, or in a port.

The dimensions and sizes of shipping containers are designed to allow for the efficient and safe transport of as much goods as possible. This standardized system makes it easier to handle shipping containers and facilitates the global transport of goods around the world.

How to properly calculate the dimensions and sizes of shipping containers?

20′ x coefficient 0.3048 = container dimension in meters: 6.096 m

Clear table of all shipping container sizes:

Here you will find the specifications of the most commonly used and sold types of shipping containers. All data in the table may slightly vary depending on the manufacturer!

			STORAGE CONTAINER – dry storage container (general purpose)
	External dimensions (m)			Internal dimensions (m)			Dimensions doors (m)		Weight kg		Capacity
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height	length	wide	height	wide	height	container	maximum load capacity	m3
4′	1,2	2,2	2,26	1,049	2,112	2,062	1,949	2,106	670	2330	4,6
5′	1,6	2,2	2,04	2,445	1,5	2,2	1,948		700	3330	6,4
6′	1,829	1,96	1,92	1,678	1,872	1,735	1,949		600	4400	5,45
8′	2,489	2,33	2,205	2,339	1,949	1,783	1,941	1,719	800	4200	8,1
9′	2,743	2,33	2,205	2,593	1,951	2,035	1,973	2,136	950	5050	10,25
10′	2,991	2,438	2,591	2,83	2,352	2,372	2,34	2,28	1250	8910	15,9
20′	6,058	2,438	2,591	5,898	2,352	2,393	2,34	2,28	2250	28260	33
20′ camouflage	6,058	2,438	2,591	5,898	2,352	2,393	2,34	2,28	2250	28260	33
30′	9,125	2,438	2,591	8,940	2,352	2,393	2,34	2,28	3250	29950	52,3
40′	12,192	2,438	2,591	12,032	2,352	2,393	2,34	2,28	3610	28890	67,6
45′	13,716	2,438	2,591	13,556	2,352	2,698	2,34	2,585	4800	27600	85

			STORAGE CONTAINER HIGH CUBE – HC higher
	External dimensions (m)			Internal dimensions (m)			Dimensions doors (m)		Weight kg		Capacity
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height	length	wide	height	wide	height	container	maximum load capacity	m3
8′ HC	2,438	2,2	2,565	2,287	2,112	2,367	2,106	2,254	1000	5000	11,9
10′ HC	2,918	2,438	2,896	2,84	2,352	2,698	2,34	2,585	1350	10000	17,9
20′ HC	6,058	2,438	2,896	5,898	2,352	2,698	2,34	2,585	2350	28260	37,4
40′ HC	12,192	2,438	2,896	12,032	2,352	2,698	2,34	2,585	3750	28250	76,4
40′ HC Isolated	12,192	2,438	2,896	11,582	2,292	2,577	2,34	2,585	3750	28250	76,4
45′ HC	13,716	2,438	2,896	13,556	2,352	2,698	2,34	2,585	4860	29140	89

			DOUBLE DOOR CONTAINER – storage container 2x doors
	External dimensions (m)			Internal dimensions (m)			Dimensions doors (m)		Weight kg		Capacity
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height	length	wide	height	wide	height	container	maximum load capacity	m3
20’DD	6,058	2,438	2,591	5,844	2,352	2,393	2,34	2,28	2300	28180	32,9
20’HC DD	6,058	2,438	2,896	5,844	2,352	2,698	2,34	2,585	2430	28050	37,1
40’DD	12,192	2,438	2,591	11,978	2,352	2,393	2,34	2,28	3800	26680	67,4
40’HC DD	12,192	2,438	2,896	11,978	2,352	2,648	2,34	2,535	3750	28250	76,4

			SIDE DOOR CONTAINER – side open doors
	External dimensions (m)			Internal dimensions (m)			Dimensions doors (m)		Weight kg		Capacity
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height	length	wide	height	wide	height	container	maximum load capacity	m3
20’SD	6,058	2,438	2,591	5,898	2,287	2,302	2,226	2,189	3060	27420	31
20’HC SD	6,058	2,438	2,896	5,898	2,288	2,559	2,227	2,446	3380	27100	34,5
20’HC Full side	6,058	2,438	2,896	5,844	2,224	2,604	2,114	2,474	4400	19600	33,8
40’HC SD	12,192	2,438	2,896	12,032	2,288	2,453	2,227	2,34	5660	24820	67

			PALLET WIDE CONTAINER – width for 2x EURO pallet
	External dimensions (m)			Internal dimensions (m)			Dimensions doors (m)		Weight kg		Capacity
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height	length	wide	height	wide	height	container	maximum load capacity	m3
40’HC PW	12,192	2,462	2,896	12,1	2,438	2,695	2,416	2,585	4630	29370	79
45’HC PW	13,716	2,462	2,896	13,556	2,438	2,695	2,42	2,584	4860	29140	89,2

			SPECIAL CONTAINERS – custom-made containers
	External dimensions (m)			Internal dimensions (m)			Dimensions doors (m)		Weight kg		Capacity
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height	length	wide	height	wide	height	container	maximum load capacity	m3
Garage from 40’HC	12,192	2,438	2,896	12,032	2,352	2,698	2,34	2,585	3750	28250	76,9
20’LC	6,058	2,438	2,438	5,898	2,352	2,237	2,34	2,147	2130	24000	30,9
Isolated 20′	6,058	2,438	2,591	5,898	2,352	2,393	2,34	2,28	2250	28260	33
Bulk 20’HC	6,058	2,438	2,896	5,898	2,352	2,698	2,34	2,585	2350	28260	37,4
Curtain 45’HC PW	13,716	2,462	2,896	13,556	2,438	2,695	2,42	2,584	4860	29140	89,2

			REEFER CONTAINER -cooling / freezing container
	External dimensions (m)			Internal dimensions (m)			Dimensions doors (m)		Weight kg		Capacity
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height	length	wide	height	wide	height	container	maximum load capacity	m3
10’HC	3,01	2,438	2,889	2,42	2,28	2,5	2,29	2,565	2000	8000	13,8
20′	6,058	2,438	2,591	5,454	2,29	2,263	2,29	2,252	2840	27640	28,3
40’HC	12,192	2,438	2,896	11,588	2,29	2,545	2,29	2,557	4420	29580	67,5

			OPEN TOP CONTAINER – with an opening roof
	External dimensions (m)			Internal dimensions (m)			Dimensions doors (m)		Weight kg		Capacity
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height	length	wide	height	wide	height	container	maximum load capacity	m3
20′ OT	6,058	2,438	2,591	5,898	2,352	2,348	2,34	2,28	2250	28230	32,4
40′ OT	12,192	2,438	2,591	12,032	2,352	2,348	2,34	2,28	3730	26750	66,4

			HARD TOP CONTAINER – with a fixed removable roof
	External dimensions (m)			Internal dimensions (m)			Dimensions doors (m)		Weight kg		Capacity
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height	length	wide	height	wide	height	container	maximum load capacity	m3
20′ HT	6,058	2,438	2,591	5,898	2,352	2,348	2,34	2,292	2890	27590	32,6
40′ HT	12,192	2,438	2,591	12,032	2,352	2,388	2,34	2,292	4700	25580	66,5
40’HC HT	12,192	2,438	2,896	12,032	2,352	2,646	2,34	2,585	4800	27700	75

			FLAT RACK CONTAINER – platform for excess goods
	External dimensions (m)
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height			maximum load capacity
20′ FR	5,96	2,02	2,08			27,76	t
40′ FR	11,99	2,24	1,97			39,02	t

			PLATFORM CONTAINER – platform without sides
	External dimensions (m)
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height			maximum load capacity
20′ PLATFORM	5,96	2,44	2,59			27,76	t

			TANK CONTAINER – cistern
	External dimensions (m)			Weight kg				Capacity
CONTAINER TYPE	length	wide	height	container		maximum load capacity		l
20′	6,058	2,438	2,591	3070 – 4190		26290		21000
40′	12,192	2,438	2,591	6800 – 8000		36000		45000

Shipping containers are an essential part of global trade and logistics. Due to their standardized dimensions and various sizes, they enable efficient and safe transportation of goods worldwide. So, how can you quickly recognize the different types and sizes of shipping containers, how to determine their size, and where to find detailed information about each type?

Most Common Shipping Container Dimensions

Shipping containers come in several standard sizes. The most common are:

• 20 feet (6.1 meters)
• 40 feet (12.2 meters)

These two sizes are considered standard and the most commonly used. In addition, there are also containers of other dimensions, such as:

• 10 feet (3.05 meters)
• 45 feet (13.7 meters)
• 53 feet (16.15 meters)

Width and Height of Shipping Containers

The standard width of all types of containers is 8 feet (2.44 meters). This width corresponds to the width of a standard roadway, which allows easy handling and transportation of containers on roads. The height of containers is usually 8.5 feet (2.59 meters).

However, there are also containers with different heights. For example:

• High cube containers have a height of 9.5 feet (2.89 meters).
• Half height containers have a height of 4.25 feet (1.29 meters).

This variability in dimensions allows the transport of different types of goods and facilitates load optimization.

Length of Containers

The length of containers remains constant according to their specific size, which allows easy stacking and linking of containers on ships, trains, or in ports. For example:

• 20-foot container has a length of 6.1 meters
• 40-foot container has a length of 12.2 meters

Internal Dimensions and Capacity

Each type of container has its specific internal dimensions and capacity. Here are examples for the most common types:

Standard 20′ Container

• Internal length: 5.9 meters
• Internal width: 2.35 meters
• Internal height: 2.39 meters
• Capacity: 33.2 m³

Standard 40′ Container

• Internal length: 12.036 meters
• Internal width: 2.35 meters
• Internal height: 2.392 meters
• Capacity: 67.7 m³

High Cube 40′ Container

• Internal width: 2.33 meters
• Internal height: 2.690 meters

Special Container Types

In addition to standard containers, there are also special containers used for specific types of cargo:

Open top containers

• Open containers have a removable tarp, allowing loading from the top or through the doors.
• Internal length 20′ Open top: 5.894 meters
• Internal length 40′ Open top: 12.028 meters

Flat rack containers

• Flat rack containers have no side walls or roof, allowing transport of oversized cargo.
• Internal length 20′ Flat rack: 5.940 meters
• Internal length 40′ Flat rack: 12.130 meters

How to determine the container dimensions?

If you need to determine the exact dimensions of a specific container, you can use the following coefficient for converting feet to meters: 1 foot = 0.3048 meters. For example, a 20-foot container has a length of 20 x 0.3048 = 6.096 meters.

Where to find detailed information about different types of containers?

Detailed information about the dimensions, weights, and specifications of various types of containers can be found directly on the websites of manufacturers or logistics companies. This information is usually listed in product specifications, which will help you choose the most suitable container for your needs.

The dimensions and sizes of shipping containers are designed to transport as much cargo as possible efficiently and safely. The standardized dimension system allows easy handling and transportation of containers worldwide. Whether you need to transport standard, oversized, or specific types of goods, you will always find a container that meets your requirements.