Basic dimensions and permissible gross weights of intermodal shipping containers are largely determined by two ISO standards:
- ISO 668:2013 Series 1 freight containers—Classification, dimensions and ratings
- ISO 1496-1:2013 Series 1 freight containers—Specification and testing—Part 1: General cargo containers for general purposes
Weights and dimensions of the most common standardized types of shipping containers are given below. Sizes vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but must stay within the tolerances dictated by the standards. If you are renting shipping container storage make sure to verify the dimensions of your unit(s).
Empty weight (tare weight) is not determined by the standards, but by the container’s construction, and is therefore indicative, but necessary to calculate a net load figure, by subtracting it from the maximum permitted gross weight.
Shipping Container Storage Dimensions
What are the measurements for shipping containers for storage?
| 20′ container | 40′ container | 40′ high-cube container | 45′ high-cube container | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| imperial | metric | imperial | metric | imperial | metric | imperial | metric | ||
| external dimensions | length | 19′ 10.5″ | 6.058 m | 40′ 0″ | 12.192 m | 40′ 0″ | 12.192 m | 45′ 0″ | 13.716 m |
| width | 8′ 0″ | 2.438 m | 8′ 0″ | 2.438 m | 8′ 0″ | 2.438 m | 8′ 0″ | 2.438 m | |
| height | 8′ 6″ | 2.591 m | 8′ 6″ | 2.591 m | 9′ 6″ | 2.896 m | 9′ 6″ | 2.896 m | |
| interior dimensions | length | 19′ 3″ | 5.867 m | 39′ 5 45⁄64″ | 12.032 m | 39′ 4″ | 12.000 m | 44′ 4″ | 13.556 m |
| width | 7′ 8 19⁄32″ | 2.352 m | 7′ 8 19⁄32″ | 2.352 m | 7′ 7″ | 2.311 m | 7′ 8 19⁄32″ | 2.352 m | |
| height | 7′ 9 57⁄64″ | 2.385 m | 7′ 9 57⁄64″ | 2.385 m | 8′ 9″ | 2.650 m | 8′ 9 15⁄16″ | 2.698 m | |
| door aperture | width | 7′ 8 ⅛″ | 2.343 m | 7′ 8 ⅛″ | 2.343 m | 7′ 6″ | 2.280 m | 7′ 8 ⅛″ | 2.343 m |
| height | 7′ 5 ¾″ | 2.280 m | 7′ 5 ¾″ | 2.280 m | 8′ 5″ | 2.560 m | 8′ 5 49⁄64″ | 2.585 m | |
| internal volume | 1,169 ft³ | 33.1 m³ | 2,385 ft³ | 67.5 m³ | 2,660 ft³ | 75.3 m³ | 3,040 ft³ | 86.1 m³ | |
| maximum gross weight | 66,139 lb | 30,400 kg | 66,139 lb | 30,400 kg | 68,008 lb | 30,848 kg | 66,139 lb | 30,400 kg | |
| empty weight | 4,850 lb | 2,200 kg | 8,380 lb | 3,800 kg | 8,598 lb | 3,900 kg | 10,580 lb | 4,800 kg | |
| net load | 61,289 lb | 28,200 kg | 57,759 lb | 26,200 kg | 58,598 lb | 26,580 kg | 55,559 lb | 25,600 kg | |