Shipping Container Sizes

Shipping containers have revolutionized the way goods are transported worldwide, and in recent years, they have also become a popular building material for creating homes, offices, and storage units. Understanding shipping container sizes is essential whether you’re considering building a container home, creating a mobile office, or looking for storage solutions. Each size of shipping container offers different benefits, and selecting the right one can impact the success of your project.

In this article, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the most common shipping container sizes, their dimensions, capacities, uses, and how to choose the best size for your needs.

1. What Is a Shipping Container?

A shipping container is a large, standardized container used for the transportation of goods by sea, rail, or truck. The container industry has established a set of standard sizes that are widely used to ensure compatibility with global shipping infrastructure. These steel boxes are made to withstand harsh environmental conditions, and their robust construction makes them ideal for repurposing into homes, offices, and other structures.

Shipping containers come in various sizes and configurations, allowing for versatility in how they are used, transported, and stacked. The most commonly used sizes are the 20-foot and 40-foot containers, but there are several other sizes and variations available.

2. The Standard Shipping Container Sizes

To make it easier for you to choose the right container for your project, let’s break down the standard shipping container sizes and their corresponding dimensions, capacities, and uses:

2.1. 20-Foot Shipping Container

The 20-foot shipping container is the most common size for a variety of applications. It is ideal for smaller projects, including container homes, storage, and mobile offices. It offers sufficient space for most residential and commercial needs while being easier to transport than larger containers.

• External Dimensions:
  • Length: 20 feet (6.1 meters)
  • Width: 8 feet (2.44 meters)
  • Height: 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 meters)
• Internal Dimensions:
  • Length: 19 feet 4 inches (5.88 meters)
  • Width: 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 meters)
  • Height: 7 feet 10 inches (2.38 meters)
• Internal Volume: 1,172 cubic feet (33.2 cubic meters)
• Maximum Payload: 48,000 pounds (21,772 kg)
• Weight (Empty): 4,850 pounds (2,200 kg)
• Uses:
  • Small container homes or modular homes
  • Temporary storage for personal or business items
  • Small office spaces or mobile offices
  • Construction sites or agricultural storage
  • Shipping goods internationally or domestically

2.2. 40-Foot Shipping Container

The 40-foot shipping container is the next step up in size and is perfect for larger projects that require more space. This size is commonly used for residential homes, larger storage solutions, and commercial applications. Its increased volume makes it suitable for families or individuals who need more room or for those who wish to combine multiple containers to create larger structures.

• External Dimensions:
  • Length: 40 feet (12.19 meters)
  • Width: 8 feet (2.44 meters)
  • Height: 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 meters)
• Internal Dimensions:
  • Length: 39 feet 6 inches (12.03 meters)
  • Width: 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 meters)
  • Height: 7 feet 10 inches (2.38 meters)
• Internal Volume: 2,385 cubic feet (67.5 cubic meters)
• Maximum Payload: 59,000 pounds (26,760 kg)
• Weight (Empty): 8,000 pounds (3,630 kg)
• Uses:
  • Large container homes
  • Commercial storage for businesses
  • Large shipping and transport of goods
  • Temporary or permanent structures, such as offices or workshops
  • Building materials storage on construction sites

2.3. 40-Foot High Cube Shipping Container

The 40-foot high cube shipping container is similar in length and width to the standard 40-foot container, but it offers an additional 1 foot of height. This makes it perfect for projects that require more headroom or for stacking multiple containers without sacrificing internal space. The high cube option is particularly useful when building container homes, as the extra space allows for larger rooms and more comfortable living areas.

• External Dimensions:
  • Length: 40 feet (12.19 meters)
  • Width: 8 feet (2.44 meters)
  • Height: 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 meters)
• Internal Dimensions:
  • Length: 39 feet 6 inches (12.03 meters)
  • Width: 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 meters)
  • Height: 8 feet 10 inches (2.69 meters)
• Internal Volume: 2,694 cubic feet (76.3 cubic meters)
• Maximum Payload: 59,000 pounds (26,760 kg)
• Weight (Empty): 8,800 pounds (4,000 kg)
• Uses:
  • Larger container homes and residential structures
  • Taller office or workshop spaces
  • Temporary storage for goods or equipment
  • Larger commercial projects and shipping requirements

2.4. 10-Foot Shipping Container

The 10-foot shipping container is the smallest standard size available. Although it’s less common, it’s useful for individuals or businesses that only need a small amount of space for storage or specialized projects. These containers are often used in tight spaces or where a full-sized container would be impractical.

• External Dimensions:
  • Length: 10 feet (3.05 meters)
  • Width: 8 feet (2.44 meters)
  • Height: 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 meters)
• Internal Dimensions:
  • Length: 9 feet 4 inches (2.84 meters)
  • Width: 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 meters)
  • Height: 7 feet 10 inches (2.38 meters)
• Internal Volume: 515 cubic feet (14.6 cubic meters)
• Maximum Payload: 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg)
• Weight (Empty): 2,000 pounds (900 kg)
• Uses:
  • Small storage units for personal or business use
  • Compact offices or mobile workspaces
  • Small-scale container homes
  • Pop-up shops or kiosks in urban areas
  • Agricultural or tool storage on farms

3. Other Specialized Shipping Container Sizes

While the 10-foot, 20-foot, 40-foot, and 40-foot high cube shipping containers are the most common, there are other specialized containers available for unique projects or specific shipping requirements. These include:

3.1. 45-Foot Shipping Container

• External Dimensions:
  • Length: 45 feet (13.72 meters)
  • Width: 8 feet (2.44 meters)
  • Height: 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 meters)
• Internal Dimensions:
  • Length: 44 feet 6 inches (13.56 meters)
  • Width: 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 meters)
  • Height: 8 feet 10 inches (2.69 meters)
• Uses:
  • Larger shipping requirements
  • Spacious storage solutions
  • Larger modular homes or office units

3.2. 53-Foot Shipping Container

• External Dimensions:
  • Length: 53 feet (16.15 meters)
  • Width: 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 meters)
  • Height: 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 meters)
• Internal Dimensions:
  • Length: 52 feet 6 inches (15.99 meters)
  • Width: 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 meters)
  • Height: 8 feet 10 inches (2.69 meters)
• Uses:
  • Long-distance shipping
  • Large commercial storage
  • Expansive projects such as warehouses or exhibition spaces

4. Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Shipping Container Size

Choosing the right size for your shipping container project requires careful consideration of the following factors:

• Space Requirements: What is the primary function of the container (e.g., storage, living space, office)? Consider how much space you’ll need for the intended purpose.
• Budget: Larger containers tend to cost more, so ensure that the size you choose fits within your budget.
• Site Size: Make sure the space available on your property or worksite is adequate for the size of the container. You may need to take access points (like gates or roads) into account.
• Transporting and Moving: Consider the cost and logistics of transporting the container to your site. Larger containers may require more complex logistics and specialized equipment for delivery.
• Insulation and Customization: Depending on your project, you might need to insulate the container or customize the interior. Larger containers offer more flexibility for these types of modifications.

5. Conclusion

Shipping containers come in a variety of sizes, each suited to different needs and project requirements. The 20-foot and 40-foot containers are the most popular options, but smaller and larger containers also offer unique advantages depending on the space and use case. Whether you’re building a container home, creating a mobile office, or looking for storage solutions, understanding the dimensions and capacities of different shipping container sizes is essential for making an informed decision.

By carefully considering the factors involved in choosing the right shipping container size, you can ensure that your project is successful, cost-effective, and practical. With the right size container, you can create a functional, durable, and unique space that fits your needs and lifestyle.