Quick answer: Shipping containers come in four standard lengths: 10 feet, 20 feet, 40 feet, and 45 feet. Almost every standard shipping container size is 8 feet wide and either 8’6″ tall (standard height) or 9’6″ tall (high cube). The 20-foot and 40-foot containers are by far the most common. If a standard length doesn’t fit your site or project, Container Stop can build custom lengths anywhere from 5 to 44 feet.
Whether you need a place to store equipment, a jobsite office, or the start of a cabin, size is one of the first decisions you’ll make. Below, we break down shipping container dimensions in plain terms (exterior, interior, door openings, and weight) so you can pick the right box the first time.
Shipping Container Sizes Chart
Dimensions vary slightly by manufacturer, so treat the figures below as typical, not exact.
| Size | Exterior (L × W × H) | Interior (L × W × H) | Floor Space (approx.) | Empty Weight (approx.) |
| 10′ standard | 10′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 9’4″ × 7’8″ × 7’10” | 72 sq ft | 2,800–3,000 lbs |
| 20′ standard | 20′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 19’4″ × 7’8″ × 7’10” | 148 sq ft | 4,800–5,100 lbs |
| 20′ high cube | 20′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 19’4″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | 148 sq ft | 5,000–5,300 lbs |
| 40′ standard | 40′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 39’5″ × 7’8″ × 7’10” | 302 sq ft | 8,000–8,400 lbs |
| 40′ high cube | 40′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 39’5″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | 302 sq ft | 8,500–8,900 lbs |
| 45′ high cube | 45′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 44’5″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | 340 sq ft | 10,000–10,500 lbs |
| Custom (Container Stop) | 5’–44′ × 8′ × 8’6″ or 9’6″ | Varies by length | Varies | Varies |
Key takeaway: Width is fixed at 8 feet across all standard sizes. Your real choices are length and height.
What Is the Standard Shipping Container Size?
The standard shipping container size is the 20-foot container. It’s the unit the shipping industry uses to measure cargo capacity (the “TEU,” or twenty-foot equivalent unit), and it’s the size most people picture when they think of a shipping container.
That said, the 40-foot container is just as common for storage and building projects because it doubles the floor space without doubling the price.
The 10 ft Shipping Container
A 10 foot shipping container is the compact option. It’s about 10′ long, 8′ wide, and 8’6″ tall, with roughly 72 square feet of interior floor space.
Best for:
- Tight sites where a larger truck can’t maneuver
- Tool and equipment storage
- Small tack rooms and garden sheds
- Backyard storage when space is limited
Ten-footers are less common in global shipping, so many are cut down from longer containers. Container Stop stocks 10′ containers and can build them to your specs.
The 20 ft Container
The 20 foot container is the most versatile size for most customers. Here are the 20 foot shipping container dimensions at a glance:
- Exterior: 20′ L × 8′ W × 8’6″ H
- Interior: about 19’4″ L × 7’8″ W × 7’10” H
- Door opening: about 7’8″ W × 7’6″ H
- Volume: about 1,170 cubic feet
Best for:
- Residential and commercial storage
- Jobsite offices and tool cribs
- Agricultural storage on farms and ranches
- Small cabins, studios, and pool houses
A 20 foot container fits roughly the contents of a one- or two-bedroom home, and it’s easier to deliver and place than a 40-footer.
The 40 ft Container
The 40 foot container gives you double the length of a 20. Here are the 40 foot shipping container dimensions:
- Exterior: 40′ L × 8′ W × 8’6″ H
- Interior: about 39’5″ L × 7’8″ W × 7’10” H
- Volume: about 2,390 cubic feet
Best for:
- Large equipment, vehicles, and inventory
- Container homes and ADU projects
- Multi-room offices or workshops
- Bulk agricultural and industrial storage
Because a 40 foot container needs a bigger truck and more room to unload, plan your delivery path before you order. (More on that below.)
High Cube Container Dimensions
A high cube container is one foot taller than a standard container: 9’6″ on the outside and about 8’10” on the inside. Length and width stay the same.
40 ft high cube container dimensions:
- Exterior: 40′ L × 8′ W × 9’6″ H
- Interior: about 39’5″ L × 7’8″ W × 8’10” H
- Volume: about 2,690 cubic feet
Why choose a high cube?
- More headroom after adding insulation, a ceiling, or flooring
- Extra vertical space for shelving and racks
- A more comfortable feel for homes, offices, and cabins
If you plan to turn your container into living or working space, a high cube is usually worth it. Insulation and interior finishes can take several inches off the ceiling height of a standard container.
The 45 ft Shipping Container
A 45 foot shipping container is the longest standard size. It’s almost always a high cube (9’6″ tall) and offers about 3,040 cubic feet of space. These are less common and harder to deliver, so most storage and building customers choose a 40 foot container instead.
Custom Size Shipping Containers
Not every project fits a standard length. Container Stop builds custom size shipping containers from 5 feet to 44 feet long, cut to within an inch of what you need. An 8-foot container, for example, is a popular custom size for small storage or tight backyards.
One rule stays the same: the width and height can’t change. Altering either one can compromise the container’s structural integrity, so custom sizes are always about length.
How Much Does a Shipping Container Weigh?
Shipping container weight depends on size and type:
- 10′ container: about 2,800–3,000 lbs empty
- 20′ container: about 4,800–5,100 lbs empty
- 40′ container: about 8,000–8,400 lbs empty
- 40′ high cube: about 8,500–8,900 lbs empty
So, how much does a 40 foot shipping container weigh? An empty standard 40-footer weighs roughly 8,000 to 8,400 pounds. A 40′ high cube adds a few hundred pounds. Weight matters for your foundation, delivery equipment, and site prep, especially once the container is full of equipment or supplies.
How to Choose the Right Shipping Container Size
Ask yourself four questions before you pick a size:
- What’s going inside? Measure your largest item and add room to move around it. Too much space is a nice surprise; too little is frustrating.
- Will you modify it? Insulation, shelving, workbenches, and restrooms all eat into interior space. If you’re adding finishes, consider a high cube. Browse our container modifications for ideas.
- Can a truck get it there? A 20′ container delivered on a tilt-bed truck needs about 60 feet of clear space to unload. Low branches, power lines, and narrow gates all matter. Learn more about our hauling services.
- What does your site allow? Container size can affect setbacks, height limits, and whether a structure counts as storage or a building in your area. Container Stop designs and modifies containers with real-world regulations in mind, but we don’t obtain permits on your behalf. Check with your local planning department before you finalize a size.
Not sure whether to buy new or used? Both are available in every standard size, and both arrive wind and water tight.
Find the Right Size Container for Your Project
From a compact 10-footer for your tools to a 40′ high cube for your next cabin, Container Stop sells, rents, customizes, and delivers shipping containers across California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. Tell us what you’re planning, and we’ll help you match the right size to your site and your goals.
Call 1-800-674-9343 or request a free quote today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sizes do shipping containers come in?
Shipping containers come in 10′, 20′, 40′, and 45′ lengths. They’re 8 feet wide and either 8’6″ (standard) or 9’6″ (high cube) tall. Custom lengths from 5′ to 44′ are also available from Container Stop.
How big is a shipping container?
A typical 20-foot shipping container is 20′ long, 8′ wide, and 8’6″ tall, with about 148 square feet of floor space. A 40-foot container offers about 302 square feet.
What is the height of a shipping container?
Standard shipping container height is 8’6″ on the outside and about 7’10” inside. High cube containers are 9’6″ outside and about 8’10” inside.
What are shipping container interior dimensions?
Interior dimensions are about 7’8″ wide and 7’10” tall for standard containers. Interior length is about 9’4″ for a 10′, 19’4″ for a 20′, and 39’5″ for a 40′.
What’s the difference between a standard and a high cube container?
A high cube container is one foot taller than a standard container. Length and width are the same. High cubes are better for homes, offices, and any project with insulation or interior finishes.
Can you get a shipping container in a custom size?
Yes. Container Stop builds custom lengths from 5 to 44 feet. Width and height stay the same to protect structural integrity.