Shipping Container Sizes & Types
Every shipping container size and type in one place. Whether you're buying, renting, or planning a build, this guide covers the standard dimensions and the specialty options so you can match the right container to the job — then get a guaranteed lowest price from the world's largest container marketplace.
Shipping container sizes
All standard containers are 8 feet wide; length and height are what change. Standard height is 8'6", and a high cube adds a foot at 9'6".
| Size | External (L × W × H) | Interior capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft | 10' × 8' × 8'6" | ~560 cu ft | tight lots, small or backyard storage |
| 20ft | 20' × 8' × 8'6" | ~1,170 cu ft | the workhorse — storage, moving, jobsites |
| 40ft | 40' × 8' × 8'6" | ~2,390 cu ft | the most space per dollar |
| 20ft High Cube | 20' × 8' × 9'6" | ~1,320 cu ft | extra headroom in a short footprint |
| 40ft High Cube | 40' × 8' × 9'6" | ~2,690 cu ft | tall loads, pallet racking, conversions |
| 45ft High Cube | 45' × 8' × 9'6" | ~3,040 cu ft | maximum length and volume |
Shipping container types
| Type | What it is | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (dry) | Enclosed steel box with cargo doors on one end | general cargo and storage |
| High Cube | A foot taller (9'6") than a standard container | tall items and container builds |
| Double-Door | Cargo doors on both ends (tunnel) | drive-through access, long loads |
| Open-Side | Doors along the full length of one side | wide access, retail, jobsite tools |
| Refrigerated (Reefer) | Insulated box with a powered cooling unit | cold or frozen storage, food and pharma |
| Insulated | Lined, insulated walls with no power | temperature buffering without active cooling |
| Flat Rack | Collapsible ends, no roof or sidewalls | oversized and heavy cargo |
| Open Top | Removable tarp roof for top-loading | tall or bulky cargo loaded by crane |
New or used — every size and type
Each size and type comes new (one-trip, a near-pristine shell ideal for visible or modified builds) or used (cargo-worthy and wind-and-watertight grades — the most affordable way to own one for storage).
Got your size and type? Tell us where it's going and you'll get a guaranteed lowest price, Marketplace Protection, and tilt-bed delivery in 3–7 business days — buy, rent, or rent-to-own.
Related equipment
Part of Buy a Shipping Container. See all equipment.
- 20ft Shipping Containers for Sale & Rent
The 20-foot container is the workhorse of the industry — 20' long, 8' wide, and 8'6" tall, with about 1,170 cubic feet inside (roughly 146 square feet of floor).
- 40ft Shipping Containers for Sale & Rent
The 40-foot container gives you the most storage per dollar — 40' long with about 2,390 cubic feet inside, double the capacity of a 20' for far less than twice the price.
- 10ft Shipping Containers for Sale & Rent
When a 20' is more than you need, the 10-foot container is the compact answer — 10' long, 8' wide, and 8'6" tall, with around 560 cubic feet of lockable, weatherproof storage.
- Refrigerated & Insulated Shipping Containers
A refrigerated container — a "reefer" — is an insulated steel container with a built-in refrigeration unit that holds temperatures from deep-freeze to chilled, for cold storage, food and pharma, or temperature-controlled job sites.
- Used Shipping Containers for Sale
Used (cargo-worthy) and wind-and-watertight containers cost less than new and are the smart pick for storage, job sites, and long-term static use.
- Conex Boxes for Sale
"Conex box" is the original name for a steel shipping container — the term comes from the military CONEX (Container Express) boxes, and it still means the same thing today: a corrugated, weatherproof steel box built to ship cargo and store anything.
- Storage Containers for Sale & Rent
On-site storage that locks, stacks, and shrugs off the weather.
- How Much Does a Shipping Container Cost?
Shipping container prices depend on four things: size (10', 20', or 40'), condition (new "one-trip" vs.
Shipping Container Sizes & Types FAQs
- How do I get started with shipping container sizes & types?
- Reach out for a free, no-obligation quote online or by phone and we'll take it from there.
- What does shipping container sizes & types involve?
- We assess your needs, recommend the right approach, and handle shipping container sizes & types from start to finish — explained in plain terms before anything begins.
- How much does shipping container sizes & types cost?
- Pricing depends on your situation. Shipping Container World gives you a clear, no-obligation quote up front, with no hidden fees.
- How soon can you help?
- Often the same or next day. Accept your quote and we'll schedule shipping container sizes & types at a time that works for you.
Shipping Container Sizes & Types: key facts
- Every shipping container size and type in one place.
- Buy or rent at the world's largest new & used shipping container marketplace.