Sizes and Dimensions of Shipping Containers: The Complete Guide

This guide will take you through all the vital aspects you need to know about shipping container sizes and dimensions.

So, before investing in your new shipping container, read this guide.

Various Shipping Container Sizes And Dimensions In The Market

When we are discussing shipping containers we have to note that there is a variety in the market.

The standard sizes of shipping containers are 10 feet, 20 feet, and 40 feet.

This does not mean you can’t get a bigger-sized container that is more than 40 feet.

The different sizes of shipping containers are as follows;

8-foot Shipping Container

This one is used mostly in the military to transport their equipment.

The internal dimensions of this container are the length of 2.287 meters, height is 2.067 meters, and width of 2.112 meters.

Its external measurements are; length of 2.438 meters, a width of 2.200 meters, and a height of 2.260 meters.

10-foot Shipping Container

This type of container is slightly bigger than the 8-foot shipping container.

It is also used in the military for shipping their equipment.

The external dimensions of this shipping container are 2.991 meters in length, 2.438 meters in width, and 2.591 meters in height.

The inner measurements of the container are the length of 2.831 meters, a width of 2.350 meters, and a height of 2.390 meters.

10-foot-high Cube Shipping Container

These containers provide an additional foot of height for more storage.

The inner dimensions are 2.840 meters, 2.350 meters in width and the height is 2.698 meters.

The outer measurements of this container are 2.991 meters’ length, the width of 2.438 meters, and the height of 2.896 meters.

20-foot Shipping Container

This is the most popular type of shipping container.

It has inner dimensions of 5.898 meters in length, 2.352 meters in width, and a height of 2.390 meters.

The external dimensions of the container are as follows, length of 6.058 meters, width of 2.438 meters, and height of 2.591 meters.

20-foot-high Cube Container

These are popular for transportation purposes and also provide an extra foot of height for extra storage.

The inner dimensions are 5.898 meters’ length, the height of 2.302 meters, and the width of 2.287 meters.

The external measurements are 6.058 meters in length, height is 2.591 meters and width is 2.438 meters.

20-foot High Cube Shipping Container With Side Opening

This container will provide you with easy access to your stored goods as well as an additional foot of height.

The inner measurements are 5.898 meters in length, the width of 2.287 meters, and the height of 2.607 meters.

The outer dimensions are the length of 6.058 meters, the width of 2.438 meters, and the height of 2.896 meters.

40-foot Standard Shipping Container

Are double the size of a 20-foot container and are also very common.

The internal measurements of this container are 12.032 meters in length, the width of 2.352 meters, and the height of 2.393 meters.

The outer dimensions are 12.192 meters in length, 2.438 meters in width, and height of 2.591 meters.

40-foot-high Cube Container

This container provides an extra foot of height for additional storage.

The external dimensions are 12.192 meters in length, the width of 2.438 meters, and the height of 2.896 meters.

The inner dimensions are the length of 12.032 meters, the width of 2.350 meters, and the height of 2.695 meters.

45-foot Shipping Container

This shipping container is slightly bigger than the 40-foot container.

The external measurements for this container are 13.716 meters’ length, the width of 2.438 meters, and the height of 2.896 meters.

The inner dimensions of this container are 13.556 meters in length, the width of 2.352 meters, and a height of 2.69 meters.

53 Feet Shipping Container

These containers are much larger on the inside.

The external measurements of this container are 16.15 meters long, 2.89 meters high, and 2.59 meters wide.

The internal measurements are as follows, 16 meters long, 2.49 meters wide, and 2.79 meters high.

48 Feet Shipping Containers

This shipping container has almost the same design as 45 feet shipping container but it is a bit longer.

Their external measurements of the container are 14.63 meters long, 2.59 meters wide, and 2.89 meters high.

The internal measurements are 14.48 meters long, 2.49 meters wide, and 2.70 meters high.

How Size And Dimensions Determine Cost Of Shipping Containers

The most common sizes of shipping containers are 40 foot and 20-foot containers.

When you have a big dimension shipping container, it simply means you have more space and volume.

This means that a 40 ft. container capacity is two times bigger than that of a 20 ft. container.

When you have large size container, its cost of production and transporting is higher compared to a small one.

Therefore, the cost of purchasing a large size shipping container is higher than that of a smaller shipping container.

Since the cost emerges from its manufacturing process until when it is shipped and reaches the customer.

Relationship Between Shipping Container Size And Dimension Vs Capacity Of Shipping Container

You always have to compare the size of a shipping container and its capacity before purchasing to get what suits you best.

The size and dimension of the shipping container are relative to the capacity it can hold.

When for example you purchase a 40-foot shipping container and some else purchases a 50-foot container.

The one who purchased the 50-foot container has extra 10-foot space.

This simply means that the one with a big size container has more space hence more capacity compared to one with a small container.

Therefore, the capacity of a shipping container increases with an increase in size and dimensions.

How Shipping Container Size And Dimensions Determine Weight Of Shipping Container

The size and dimensions of a shipping container will determine its weight.

This means that if you have a bigger-sized shipping container it will weigh more than a small-sized one.

The weight is about materials used in the production of the shipping containers.

For example, a 20-foot shipping container will be lighter than a 40-foot container that is produced by the same manufacturer.

You will use approximately two times more materials in the manufacture of a 40-foot container when you compare it to a 20-foot container.

The more the materials used the heavier the container hence the difference in weight.

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