Shipping container sizes
Containers
Shipping container sizes
Here at Gap Containers, we’re committed to providing the best possible service for our customers. Our goal is to ensure you identify the ideal container size for your needs. And to help with your purchase, here we’ve created a detailed conversion chart for some of the main shipping container sizes.
These include 20ft container dimensions and 40ft container dimensions – which tend to be the most popular – as well as dimensions for 10ft and 30ft structures. External and internal measurements are listed in both imperial and metric units and given for both standard and high cube containers.
Please note, the container dimensions provided are as accurate as possible – but they are just an approximate indication. The exact size of a container can vary depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, it’s important to use these measurements as a guide only.
If you’d like further guidance on which container size is best for you, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. Either give us a call on 0870 240 9405 or send an email to sales@gapcontainers.co.uk. We’re always happy to help and, after a quick chat, we’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
Standard external container dimensions
Shipping container dimensions are standardised for shipping purposes. They can be of different lengths and heights. But to conform with ISO regulations, they must be 8ft (2.44m) wide – allowing them to be stacked together safely onboard cargo vessels, cranes, and other modes of transport.
Here we detail the standard length, width and height of the four most popular container sizes:
Imperial measurements
Container Length | 10ft | 20ft | 30ft | 40ft |
Container Width | 8ft | 8ft | 8ft | 8ft |
Container Height: | ||||
» Standard | 8ft 6ins | 8ft 6ins | 8ft 6ins | 8ft 6ins |
» High cube | 9ft 6ins | 9ft 6ins | 9ft 6ins | 9ft 6ins |
Metric measurements
Container Length | 3.05m | 6.06m | 9.12m | 12.19m |
Container Width | 2.44m | 2.44m | 2.44m | 2.44m |
Container Height: | ||||
» Standard | 2.59m | 2.59m | 2.59m | 2.59m |
» High cube | 2.89m | 2.89m | 2.89m | 2.89m |
Standard internal container dimensions
All of our shipping containers are made from corrugated steel. This corrugation has a depth of around 1 inch (25mm) and, therefore, slightly affects the internal width and length of the structure.
The doors and floor of the container also impact its interior measurements. And although they don’t make a huge difference, it’s still worth taking this into account when selecting the ideal container dimensions for your needs.
Here we list the internal length, width, height, end door aperture width and height, floor area, cubic capacity, and weight of the four most popular container sizes (10ft, 20ft, 30ft, and 40ft).
Imperial measurements
Internal Length | 9ft 2ins | 19ft 3ins | 29ft 4ins | 39ft 4ins |
Internal Width | 7ft 7ins | 7ft 7ins | 7ft 7ins | 7ft 7ins |
Internal Height: | ||||
» Standard | 7ft 9ins | 7ft 9ins | 7ft 9ins | 7ft 9ins |
» High cube | 8ft 9ins | 8ft 9ins | 8ft 9ins | 8ft 9ins |
End Door Aperture Width | as req. | 7ft 6ins | 7ft 6ins | 7ft 6ins |
End Door Aperture Height: | ||||
» Standard | as req. | 7ft 5ins | 7ft 5ins | 7ft 5ins |
» High cube | as req. | 8ft 5ins | 8ft 5ins | 8ft 5ins |
Floor area | 72sq ft | 150sq ft | 227sq ft | 305sq ft |
Cubic capacity: | ||||
» Standard | 560cu ft | 1160cu ft | 1760cu ft | 2360cu ft |
» High cube | 630cu ft | 1310cu ft | 1985cu ft | 2660cu ft |
Weight | 1.5 tons | 2.4 tons | 3.2 tons | 4 tons |
Metric measurements
Internal Length | 2.80m | 5.87m | 8.93m | 12.00m |
Internal Width | 2.33m | 2.33m | 2.33m | 2.33m |
Internal Height: | ||||
» Standard | 2.35m | 2.35m | 2.35m | 2.35m |
» High cube | 2.65m | 2.65m | 2.65m | 2.65m |
End Door Aperture Width: | as req. | 2.28m | 2.28m | 2.28m |
End Door Aperture Height: | ||||
» Standard | as req. | 2.26m | 2.26m | 2.26m |
» High cube | as req. | 2.56m | 2.56m | 2.56m |
Floor area | 6.69m2 | 13.93m2 | 21.09m2 | 28.33m2 |
Cubic capacity: | ||||
» Standard | 15.89m3 | 32.85m3 | 49.84m3 | 66.83m3 |
» High cube | 17.84m3 | 37.09m3 | 56.21m3 | 75.32m3 |
Weight | 1.52 tonnes | 2.44 tonnes | 3.25 tonnes | 4.06 tonnes |
Need a bespoke shipping container size?
The shipping container sizes outlined above are those we have in stock as standard, particularly 20ft and 40ft structures. But as a leading supplier, we appreciate – these standard dimensions are not suitable for everyone. And therefore, we also offer a bespoke shipping container service.
We can manufacture a shipping container to meet your exact size requirements, from 6ft to 40ft and everything in between. Whether you’re looking for a small shipping container for personal storage purposes or a large shipping container for a particularly bulky item. Our in-house experts will build the perfect container size for your needs, bespoke to order, for a highly competitive price.
Just call us on 0870 240 9405 to discuss your requirements with a member of the team.
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