Shipping Container Dimensions

At CBOX, we offer a wide variety of shipping and storage container sizes to accommodate your needs. Every container type has its strengths and weaknesses as well as its own set of dimensions. 

Unfortunately, these may prove difficult to navigate without a bit of help. Here, we've rounded up a number of common container varieties and their dimensions to help you plan out your project's needs.

Shipping container dimensions by type

Each of the following shipping containers is available for purchase or hire from us via our online store. You can contact our team for additional guidance or a quote at any time.

Standard 20 foot shipping containers

This type of container is excellent for both temporary storage and long distance shipping as it is small enough to fit in many different spaces, yet large enough for quite a lot of items to be stored inside.

Typical dimensions of a standard 20 foot container

This container's external dimensions are:

• Length: 6058mm
• Width: 2438mm
• Height: 2591mm

This container's internal dimensions are:

• Length: 5900mm
• Width: 2348mm
• Height: 2392mm

What you can use a standard 20 foot shipping container for

The total carrying capacity for a 20 foot shipping container is generally 33 cubic metres and a max gross weight of 30480 kilograms.

You can expect your standard 20 foot container to be able to accommodate everything in a normal 3-room household.

Standard 40 foot shipping containers

This type of shipping container is perfect for shipping large amounts of cargo. It is designed to withstand all of the rigors of the shipping process.

Typical dimensions of a standard 40 foot container

This container's external dimensions are:

• Length: 12192mm
• Width: 2438mm
• Height: 2591mm

This container's internal dimensions are:

• Length: 12032mm
• Width: 2352mm
• Height: 2393mm

What you can use a standard 40 foot shipping container for

The total carrying capacity for a 40 foot shipping container is generally 67.7 cubic metres and a maximum gross weight of 30480 kilograms.

You can expect your standard 40 foot container to be able to accommodate a single vehicle and all belongings in a 2-room household.

High cube 20 foot shipping containers

High cube containers make it easier to store more items and safely transport taller things than standard containers can normally handle.

Typical dimensions of a high cube 20 foot container

This container's external dimensions are:

• Length: 6058mm
• Width: 2438mm
• Height: 2896mm

This container's internal dimensions are:

• Length: 5898mm
• Width: 2352mm
• Height: 2698mm

What you can use a high cube 20 foot shipping container for

The total carrying capacity for a 20 foot high cube container is generally 42.771 cubic metres and a max gross weight of 30480 kilograms.

You can expect your 20 foot high cube container to be able to accommodate a bit more than its standard counterpart without taking up additional space on the ground.

High cube 40 foot shipping containers

This special shipping container offers additional height to accommodate taller items, machinery or stacked pallets for safe transport.

Typical dimensions of a high cube 40 foot container

This container's external dimensions are:

• Length: 12192mm
• Width: 2438mm
• Height: 2896mm

This container's internal dimensions are:

• Length: 12031mm
• Width: 2352mm
• Height: 2700mm

What you can use a 40 foot high cube shipping container for

The total carrying capacity for a 40 foot high cube container is generally 76.3 cubic metres and a maximum gross weight of 30480 kilograms.

You can expect your 40 foot high cube container to be able to accommodate anything from large volumes of goods to heavy machinery.

Open top 20 foot shipping containers

These shipping containers are perfect for items and materials that can only be loaded reliably from above.

Typical dimensions of an open top 20 foot container

This container's external dimensions are:

• Length: 6058mm
• Width: 2438mm
• Height: 2591mm

This container's internal dimensions are:

• Length: 5886mm
• Width: 2342mm
• Height: 2375mm

What you can use an open top 20 foot container for

You can expect your open top 20 foot container to be able to accommodate anything from machinery to fine goods. It's hard top makes it possible to protect whatever you intend to store or ship as well.

Open top 40 foot shipping containers

As with the 20 foot varieties, these larger open top containers are perfect for placing items inby crane, etc.

Typical dimensions of an open top 40 foot container

This container's external dimensions are:

• Length: 12192mm
• Width: 2438mm
• Height: 2591mm

This container's internal dimensions are:

• Length: 12040mm
• Width: 2345mm
• Height: 2385mm

What you can use an open top 40 foot container for

The total carrying capacity for a container is generally 67.3 cubic metres and a maximum gross weight of 30480 kilograms.

You can expect your open top 40 foot container to be able to accommodate anything from loose materials to large machinery.

Reefer 20 foot shipping containers

Reefer containers provide an excellent means of maintaining temperature conditions for a wide variety of goods whether they are simply stored or shipped over a long distance.

Typical dimensions of a reefer 20 foot container

This container's external dimensions are:

• Length: 6058mm
• Width: 2438mm
• Height: 2591mm

This container's internal dimensions are:

• Length: 5490mm
• Width: 2284mm
• Height: 2261mm

What you can use a reefer 20 foot container for

The total carrying capacity for a reefer 20 foot container is generally 28 cubic metres and a max gross weight of 27000 kilograms.

You can expect your reefer 20 foot container to be able to accommodate all manner of goods in need of refrigeration, including perishable produce, dairy products and more. A special T-floor improves draining of unwanted liquids and helps distribute airflow more effectively.

Reefer 40 foot shipping containers

Reefer containers like these 40 foot varieties can beheated and cooled. to +25C and -25C, respectively. Their insulated design allows them to remain stable throughout many different weather conditions.

Typical dimensions of a reefer 40 foot container

This container's external dimensions are:

• Length: 12192mm
• Width: 2438mm
• Height: 2890mm

This container's internal dimensions are:

• Length: 11563mm
• Width: 2286mm
• Height: 2507mm

What you can use a reefer 40 foot container for

The total carrying capacity for a reefer 40 foot container is generally 67.9 cubic metres and a max gross weight of 32800 kilograms.

You can expect your reefer 40 foot container to be able to accommodate anything that would benefit from or otherwise require an airtight, temperature controlled environment.

Flat rack 20 foot shipping containers

These types of shipping containers allow you to stack and transport fairly heavy items with odd shapes that would otherwise be difficult to move.

What you can use a flat rack 20 foot container for

The maximum gross weight of this container is 34000 kilograms.

You can expect your flat rack 20 foot container to work with items that need to be loaded from the top or from the side.

Flat rack 40 foot shipping containers

These larger flat rack containers carry all of the same benefits as their 20 foot models, but bring added space to the table for even larger types of cargo.

Typical dimensions of a flat rack 40 foot container

This container's external dimensions are:

• Length: 12192mm
• Width: 2438mm
• Height: 2591mm

What you can use a flat rack 40 foot container for

The max gross weight of a 40 foot flat rack container is 45000 kilograms.

You can expect your flat rack 40 foot container to be able to accommodate most kinds of oversized cargo that other containers simply cannot store. These flexible containers are also designed with collapsible walls to improve transport costs and stacking options.

Small 6 foot storage containers

These miniature containers work as excellent storage spaces made with all of the same durability and safety features that standard sized alternatives do. They fit on trucks and in back yards, allowing you to easily store tools where they are needed.

Typical dimensions of a 6 foot storage container

This container's external dimensions are:

• Length: 1920mm
• Width: 1960mm
• Height: 1830mm

This container's internal dimensions are:

• Length: 1737mm
• Width: 1874mm
• Height: 1679mm

What you can use a 6 foot storage container for

The total carrying capacity for a 6 foot container is generally 4.8 cubic metres and a maximum gross weight of 5000 kilograms.

You can expect your small storage container to be able to accommodate anything from furniture to garden equipment and more.

Learn which shipping containers best suits your needs

You can reach out to our team here at CBOX at any time to learn more about each of the container models mentioned above and how they can help you handle your next move or project.