Shipping Container Sizes and Dimensions: A Complete Guide
Choosing the right size is the most important decision when you buy a shipping container. Too small and you run out of room; too big and you pay for space, delivery access and ground prep you did not need. This guide covers the common sizes, what fits inside each one, and how to choose.
Standard shipping container dimensions
Almost every container is 8 feet wide on the outside. What changes is the length and, for high cube units, the height. The figures below are typical; exact inside measurements vary slightly by manufacturer, so check the product page for the unit you are buying.
| Size | Outside (L × W × H) | Inside (approx.) | Floor space | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft standard | 10′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 9’3″ × 7’8″ × 7’10” | about 70 sq ft | about 560 cu ft |
| 20ft standard | 20′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 19’4″ × 7’8″ × 7’10” | about 150 sq ft | about 1,170 cu ft |
| 20ft high cube | 20′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 19’4″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | about 150 sq ft | about 1,320 cu ft |
| 40ft standard | 40′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 39’5″ × 7’8″ × 7’10” | about 300 sq ft | about 2,390 cu ft |
| 40ft high cube | 40′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 39’5″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | about 300 sq ft | about 2,700 cu ft |
| 45ft high cube | 45′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 44’5″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | about 340 sq ft | about 3,000 cu ft |
10ft containers: compact storage
A 10ft container fits where nothing else will: a driveway, a narrow side yard or the corner of a job site. It holds roughly the contents of a small bedroom, or tools and materials for a single trade. It is also the easiest size to place on tight sites.
20ft containers: the most popular size
The 20ft container is the best all-rounder. It holds the contents of a one- or two-bedroom home, a car with room to spare, or a small business’s seasonal stock. Because it is usually delivered on a tilt-bed truck and set straight onto the ground, it suits most residential and farm sites.
40ft containers: the best value per square foot
A 40ft container gives twice the floor space of a 20ft for much less than twice the price, so it is the usual choice for commercial storage, farms, construction and larger conversions. Plan for the delivery: longer containers are typically delivered on a flatbed and need a forklift or crane on site to unload. See our delivery page for details.
High cube containers: an extra foot of height
High cube containers are 9’6″ tall instead of 8’6″, which adds about 12% more volume. That extra foot matters for tall equipment, stacked pallets, shelving and anything you plan to convert into an office or workshop, where insulation and ceilings eat into headroom.
How to choose the right size
- Measure what you are storing. List your largest items and check them against the inside dimensions and the door opening, which is roughly 7’8″ wide and 7’6″ high on a standard unit (about 8’5″ high on a high cube).
- Allow working space. If you need to walk in and find things, leave an aisle down the middle.
- Check your site. The delivery truck needs straight, open access and level, firm ground. A 40ft unit needs much more room than a 20ft.
- Think ahead. If you might convert the container later, a high cube gives you far more options.
Still not sure?
Browse all shipping containers for sale, or call us on (833) 726-7261 and tell us what you need to store. We will recommend a size and confirm delivery to your ZIP code. Delivery is a flat $350 per container, usually within 3 to 7 days.