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Whether you’re looking to buy or lease shipping containers, having an understanding of container sizes, dimensions, and specifications is vital before making a purchase.
Shipping container specifications vary depending on the type of cargo being shipped, so it's essential that you find the right size container for your needs.
In this article, we will explore different types of shipping containers and their corresponding sizes and dimensions. With this information, you can make a more informed decision when selecting the best container for your shipment.
Dry Cargo Shipping Containers
These are the most common types of shipping containers used for general cargo transport. They come in various sizes, including 10', 20', 40', and 45' lengths, as well as high-cube versions of these dimensions.
10 ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 10 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 9 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 9 ft 7 3/4 in
Width: 7 ft 8 1/8 in
Height: 7 ft 9 5/8 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 18.5
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 34,130
Tare (lbs): 3,260
Max payload (lbs): 30,870
20ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 20 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 19 ft 14 in
Width: 7 ft 6 5/8 in
Height: 7 ft 6 1/4 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 33.2
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 52,831
Tare (lbs): 4,914
Max payload (lbs): 47,899
40ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 40 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 39 ft 45 in
Width: 7 ft 6 5/8 in
Height: 7 ft 6 1/4 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 67.7
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 67,199
Tare (lbs): 5,229
Max payload (lbs): 59,039
40ft High-Cube Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 40 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 9 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 39 ft 45 in
Width: 7 ft 8 in
Height: 8 ft 9 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 76.3
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 67,196
Tare (lbs): 8,747
Max payload (lbs): 58,448
45ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 45 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 44 ft 9 7/8 in
Width: 7ft 5 1/8 in
Height: 7ft 4 3/4 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 86.1
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 66,139
Tare (lbs): 10,582
Max payload (lbs): 55,559
Flat Rack Shipping Containers
Flat rack shipping containers are used to transport heavy, large cargo and equipment that cannot fit into a standard container. They come in 20' and 40' lengths, with both collapsible and fixed versions.
20ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 20 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 19 ft 9 3/4 in
Width: 8 ft
Height: 7 ft 7/8 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 33.2
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 99,220
Tare (lbs): 6,400
Max payload (lbs): 92,800
40ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 40 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 39 ft 3 7/8 in
Width: 7 ft 4 in
Height: 7 ft 5 1/2 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 52.7
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 98,326
Tare (lbs): 12,897
Max payload (lbs): 85,429
Open Top Shipping Containers
Open-top shipping containers are ideal for cargo that is tall or needs to be loaded from the top, such as scrap metal or construction materials. They are generally available in 20' and 40' lengths.
20ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 20 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 19 ft 4 1/4 in
Width: 7 ft 8 5/8 in
Height: 7 ft 10 1/4 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 33.2
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 52,897
Tare (lbs): 5,297
Max payload (lbs): 47,619
40ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 40 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 39 ft 5 5/8 in
Width: 7 ft 8 5/8 in
Height: 7 ft 10 1/4 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 66.67
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 67,196
Tare (lbs): 8,487
Max payload (lbs): 58,709
Tunnel Shipping Containers
Tunnel shipping containers are typically used to transport heavy-duty loads such as machinery and vehicles. They typically come in two sizes: 20ft and 40ft length.
20ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 19 ft 10 1/2 in
Width: 7 ft 11 63/64 in
Height: 8 ft 6 1/64 in
Interior
Length: 19 ft 4 13/64 in
Width: 7 ft 8 9/32 in
Height: 7 ft 9 35/64 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 33.18
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 67,196
Tare (lbs): 4,806
Max payload (lbs): 47,813
40ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 40 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 39 ft 5 5/8 in
Width: 7 ft 8 5/8 in
Height: 7 ft 10 1/4 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 67.7
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 67,196
Tare (lbs): 8,113
Max payload (lbs): 58,709
Refrigerated ISO Shipping Containers
Refrigerated shipping containers are designed for transporting temperature-sensitive items, such as food and medication. They are typically constructed with an insulated wall or roof panel to maintain a constant temperature inside the container. With two main sizes that measure 20 ft and 40 ft, these containers also come with a variety of features, including dual-temp capabilities and adjustable shelving.
20ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 20 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 18 ft 17/32 in
Width: 7 ft 6 15/32 in
Height: 7 ft 5 39/54 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 28.8
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 67,180
Tare (lbs): 6,700
40ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 40 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 38 ft 1/32 in
Width: 7 ft 6 in
Height: 8 ft 3 5/8 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 67
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 74,957
Tare (lbs): 9,080
Max payload (lbs): 64,992
Insulated or Thermal Shipping Containers
Thermal shipping containers are designed to maintain a specific temperature range, depending on the type of cargo being shipped. They are typically constructed with an insulated wall or roof panel, and come in various sizes, including 20ft and 40ft.
20ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 20 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 18 ft 10 in
Width: 7 ft 5 in
Height: 6 ft 11in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 27.4
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 52,910
Tare (lbs): 5,840
Max payload (lbs): 47,070
40ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 40 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Interior
Length: 37 ft 11 in
Width: 7 ft 6 in
Height: 7 ft 5 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 59.1
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 71,650
Tare (lbs): 10,580
Max payload (lbs): 61,070
Cargo Storage Roll Shipping Containers
Cargo storage roll shipping containers are ideal for secure storage of smaller items. These containers come in a variety of sizes that aren't standardized. The two most common sizes are 20ft containers and 40ft containers. The container dimensions vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but generally, you can expect sizes and specifications similar to dry storage shipping containers.
Half-Height Shipping Containers
Half-height shipping containers are typically used to transport bulk commodities, such as coal. They most commonly come in 10ft, 16ft, and 20ft sizes, but the dimensions differ from regular cargo containers.
10 ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 10 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 4 ft 2 in
Interior
Length: 9 ft
Width: 7 ft 4 in
Height: 3 ft 3 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 5.92
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 18,739
Tare (lbs): 2,475
Max payload (lbs): 16,264
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 25,800
Tare (lbs): 3,750
Max payload (lbs): 22,050
16ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 16 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 4ft 2 in
Interior
Length: 14 ft 11 in
Width: 7 ft 4 in
Height: 3 ft 3 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 5.4
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 28,439
Tare (lbs): 6,393
Max payload (lbs): 22,050
20ft Container Specifications
Exterior
Length: 20 ft
Width: 8 ft
Height: 4ft 2 in
Interior
Length: 19 ft 3 in
Width: 7 ft 3 in
Height: 3 ft 1 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (m3): 5.4
Container Weight
Max gross (lbs): 27,290
Tare (lbs): 5,240
Max payload (lbs): 22,050
Swap Bodies Shipping Containers
These containers are available in various sizes, making them the perfect choice for any shipping and storage requirement. There aren't any standard swap body shipping container sizes in the US, but the most common sizes are 20' and 40'.
Car Carriers
Car carriers are the perfect solution for shipping large vehicles, including cars, vans, and light trucks. Car carriers come in various sizes and container dimensions depending on the size of the vehicle being shipped. The standard car carrier comes in 20’ and 40' containers with the same dimensions and specifications as dry cargo containers.
Drums
Drums are shipping containers used to ship liquid cargo items. They come in various sizes, but the most common is the 55-gallon barrel.
55-Gallon Drum Specifications
Exterior Diameter: 23.5 in
Interior Diameter: 23 in
Height: 34 in
Container Volume
Load capacity (gal):
55 gal
Intermediate Bulk Shift Shipping Containers
These containers are often used for hazardous material transportation or liquid bulk shipping. The sizes of intermediate bulk shipping containers vary from 10–100 cubic meters of volume based on the manufacturer.
Tanks
Tanks are the largest type of shipping container used to transport liquids and gases. Tank dimensions vary based on the container size and liquid capacity. However, about 95% of these are 20ft long, and even those vary in the container volume they can hold, ranging from 7.30 to 24.75 cubic meters.
Making Sense of Shipping Container Sizes
Whether you’re transporting goods across the globe or storing products locally, selecting the right container size is critical to ensuring your shipments arrive safely and quickly at their destination.
Choosing the right shipping container size is an important decision that can save you time, money and hassle. With a range of sizes available to meet your needs, it’s essential to do your research when selecting the best option for your shipment or storage requirements.
Knowing what dimensions and specifications are associated with each type of container should help make this process easier so you can have confidence in making an informed choice.
Cargoflip can help you make the right choice and, more importantly, track your container from start to finish. Use our software to locate your shipping containers with confidence, regardless of their size.
