Container Info
Container Dimensions By Type
Storage and shipping containers are available in various sizes to suit diverse needs. The most common external lengths are 20 and 40 feet, paired with a standard width of 8 feet. Standard containers typically stand 8 feet 6 inches tall, while high-cube models provide an extra foot of height, reaching 9 feet 6 inches. For areas with space constraints, our compact, newly-built containers are the perfect solution for tight corners and limited spaces.
Container Weight
When dealing with containers, three essential weights come into play: tare weight, gross weight, and payload. These measurements are often displayed on the container’s exterior, particularly near the doors, or before it is repurposed or repainted.
- Tare weight is the weight of the empty container itself, excluding any cargo or contents.
- Gross weight represents the total permissible weight, combining the container’s tare weight and its maximum payload capacity.
- Payload (or net weight) is the weight of the cargo or contents the container can safely carry.
Understanding these distinctions is crucial for efficient and safe container use.
Internal Dimension
The sides of most shipping containers are made from corrugated material, with corrugation typically extending to a depth of 1 inch (25 mm). This design reduces the external width by 2 inches (50 mm), accounting for 1 inch on each side. The container doors, which feature a corrugated back panel and are approximately 2 inches (50 mm) thick, reduce the internal length by about 3 inches (75 mm). Among all dimensions, the most notable difference between external and internal measurements is seen in the height. Standard container floors are roughly 1.1 inches (27 mm) thick, with an under-floor clearance of approximately 6 inches (150 mm).
Our team, with extensive expertise across all aspects of the shipping container industry—spanning sales, transportation, conversions, repairs, and more—is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service.
The corrugation process further reduces internal dimensions by an additional 1 inch (25 mm), resulting in an internal width roughly 8 inches narrower than the external measurement, or about 7 feet 10 inches (2.39 meters). Variations in dimensions can occur based on floor thickness and construction methods. Additionally, the steel top rail, a critical structural element, typically measures 4 inches (100 mm), reducing the door height to approximately 7 feet 6 inches (2.28 meters), though this may vary.
Please note that these measurements serve as general guidelines for the sizes of shipping and storage containers. Actual dimensions may differ between units, especially with custom or cut-down containers, where construction methods influence both size and weight. These specifications do not apply to Container House units.