At a Glance
The 20-foot and 40-foot lengths are the global standards, available in both 8'6" standard height and 9'6" high cube variants. 40-foot high cubes are abundant in the used market, while 20-foot high cubes are rare and typically only available as new one-trip units. Always verify your site has the overhead clearance required for delivery.
20-Foot Containers
| Measurement | 20ft Standard (8'6") | 20ft High Cube (9'6") |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior Length | 19' 10.5" (6.06m) | 19' 10.5" (6.06m) |
| Exterior Width | 8' 0" (2.44m) | 8' 0" (2.44m) |
| Exterior Height | 8' 6" (2.59m) | 9' 6" (2.90m) |
| Interior Length | 19' 4.2" (5.90m) | 19' 4.2" (5.90m) |
| Interior Width | 7' 8.5" (2.35m) | 7' 8.5" (2.35m) |
| Interior Height | 7' 10.1" (2.39m) | 8' 10.1" (2.70m) |
| Door Opening Width | 7' 8.1" (2.34m) | 7' 8.1" (2.34m) |
| Door Opening Height | 7' 5.8" (2.28m) | 8' 5.8" (2.58m) |
| Internal Capacity | 1,172 ft³ (33.2 m³) | 1,320 ft³ (37.4 m³) |
Data based on ISO 668:2020 Series 1 freight containers [112] and Ocean Network Express (ONE) dry container specifications [113].
Note on 20ft High Cubes: While 40ft high cubes are extremely common, 20ft high cubes are rare in global shipping. They are primarily manufactured specifically for the domestic storage market as "one-trip" containers. You will rarely find used cargo-worthy 20ft high cubes.
40-Foot Containers
The 40-foot container (FEU) offers double the storage capacity of a 20-foot unit but requires a much larger footprint for delivery. In the 40-foot size, the high cube (9'6") is actually more common globally than the standard height (8'6") container.
| Measurement | 40ft Standard (8'6") | 40ft High Cube (9'6") |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior Length | 40' 0" (12.19m) | 40' 0" (12.19m) |
| Exterior Width | 8' 0" (2.44m) | 8' 0" (2.44m) |
| Exterior Height | 8' 6" (2.59m) | 9' 6" (2.90m) |
| Interior Length | 39' 5.7" (12.03m) | 39' 5.7" (12.03m) |
| Interior Width | 7' 8.5" (2.35m) | 7' 8.5" (2.35m) |
| Interior Height | 7' 10.1" (2.39m) | 8' 10.1" (2.70m) |
| Door Opening Width | 7' 8.1" (2.34m) | 7' 8.1" (2.34m) |
| Door Opening Height | 7' 5.8" (2.28m) | 8' 5.8" (2.58m) |
| Internal Capacity | 2,387 ft³ (67.6 m³) | 2,691 ft³ (76.2 m³) |
Data based on ISO 668:2020 [112] and ONE Line fleet specifications [113].
45-Foot Containers
45-foot containers exist only in the high cube (9'6") configuration. There is no standard-height 45ft unit in production. They are common in European road transport and in domestic U.S. intermodal rail service, but rare in general residential or commercial storage because most flatbed delivery trucks cannot legally transport them on standard roads without an oversize permit. Buyers should confirm local delivery feasibility before ordering.
| Measurement | 45ft High Cube (9'6") |
|---|---|
| Exterior Length | 45' 0" (13.72m) |
| Exterior Width | 8' 0" (2.44m) |
| Exterior Height | 9' 6" (2.90m) |
| Interior Length | 44' 5.7" (13.56m) |
| Interior Width | 7' 8.5" (2.35m) |
| Interior Height | 8' 10.1" (2.70m) |
| Door Opening Width | 7' 8.1" (2.34m) |
| Door Opening Height | 8' 5.8" (2.58m) |
| Internal Capacity | 3,037 ft³ (86.0 m³) |
Data based on CHS Container Group specifications [114] and ONE Line fleet data [113].
Delivery note: A 45ft container extends 5 feet beyond a standard 40ft flatbed trailer. Delivery requires a specialized extendable trailer or a tilt-bed truck rated for the length. Confirm with your dealer before ordering.
10-Foot Containers
10-foot containers are not used in international ocean freight because they cannot be efficiently stacked with standard 20ft and 40ft units. They are manufactured exclusively for the domestic storage market. As a result, 10-foot containers are only available as "one-trip" (new) units, and their pricing is often similar to or higher than a 20-foot container due to specialized manufacturing and shipping logistics.
| Measurement | 10ft Standard (8'6") |
|---|---|
| Exterior Length | 9' 9.75" (2.99m) |
| Exterior Width | 8' 0" (2.44m) |
| Exterior Height | 8' 6" (2.59m) |
| Interior Length | 9' 3" (2.82m) |
| Interior Width | 7' 8.5" (2.35m) |
| Interior Height | 7' 10.1" (2.39m) |
| Door Opening Width | 7' 8.1" (2.34m) |
| Door Opening Height | 7' 5.8" (2.28m) |
| Internal Capacity | 561 ft³ (15.9 m³) |
Dimensions based on CHS Container Group specifications [114].
Specialty Units (Double-Door & Side-Door)
Specialty containers modify the standard access points while maintaining the same exterior footprint. Because these modifications alter the structural integrity of the corrugated steel walls, the interior dimensions and payload capacities differ slightly from standard units.
Double-Door Containers (Tunnel Tainers)
Double-door containers feature standard cargo doors on both ends of the unit. This configuration eliminates the need to unload the entire container to access items at the back.
- Interior Length: Reduced by approximately 1.5 inches (38mm) to accommodate the second door assembly.
- Tare Weight: Increases by roughly 400 lbs (180kg) due to the heavy steel door frames and locking mechanisms.
- Availability: Primarily available as one-trip units in 20ft and 40ft sizes. Used double-door units are exceptionally rare.
Open-Side Containers
Open-side containers feature bi-fold doors along the entire length of one side, allowing full access for forklifts to load oversized items. They still retain the standard doors on one end.
- Interior Width: Reduced by approximately 2.5 inches (64mm) to accommodate the side door hinges and locking bars.
- Tare Weight: Significantly heavier than standard units. A 20ft open-side container weighs approximately 6,900 lbs (3,130kg), compared to 4,740 lbs for a standard 20ft unit.
- Structural Design: The floor and roof rails are heavily reinforced to compensate for the lack of a solid corrugated side wall.
Specialty unit dimensional variations based on CHS Container Group specifications [114].
Weight & Payload Capacities
Understanding container weights is critical for both transport and placement. There are three key weight metrics for any shipping container:
- Tare Weight: The weight of the empty container.
- Payload Capacity: The maximum weight of cargo the container is certified to hold.
- Maximum Gross Weight (MGW): The total maximum allowed weight (Tare + Payload).
| Container Type | Tare Weight (Empty) | Max Payload | Max Gross Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | 4,740 lbs (2,150 kg) | 62,457 lbs (28,330 kg) | 67,197 lbs (30,480 kg) |
| 40ft Standard | 8,025 lbs (3,640 kg) | 59,172 lbs (26,840 kg) | 67,197 lbs (30,480 kg) |
| 40ft High Cube | 8,157 lbs (3,700 kg) | 63,493 lbs (28,800 kg) | 71,650 lbs (32,500 kg) |
Weight specifications based on Hapag-Lloyd fleet data [115] and ONE Line dry container specifications [113]. Exact tare weights vary slightly by manufacturer and production year.
Placement Warning: An empty 40ft container weighs over 8,000 pounds. It must be placed on level, firm ground (such as compacted gravel, concrete pads, or railroad ties). Placing it directly on soft soil or grass will result in the container sinking over time, which can warp the frame and make the doors impossible to open.