Shipping containers are the fundamental units for transporting goods across oceans. Understanding the different container sizes and types is pivotal for businesses engaged in international trade.
It’s time to delve into this blog to discover 11 different types of shipping containers, including their sizes and unique features. So that you can select the optimal container that suits your shipment requirements and budget constraints.
Standard dry containers
A dry container, also known as a dry van container or dry box, is a general purpose container primarily utilized for transporting non-perishable goods. It’s ideal for carrying dry cargo such as textiles, electronics, etc.
Moreover, these containers can be modified internally to accommodate specific goods. For example, the carrier can install hangers in a dry van container to transport clothing overseas.
The most frequently used dimensions in dry shipping containers are the 20-foot and 40-foot sizes.
20ft dry containers' dimensions
Internal length:
9.4 feet (5.9m)
Internal width:
7.8 feet (2.35m)
Internal height:
7.9 feet (2.39m)
Tare weight:
4,850 pounds (2,200kg)
Payload capacity:
Roughly 52,000 lbs (24,000kg)
Cubic capacity:The cargo volume that a 20-foot container can hold is approximately 1,172 cubic feet (33CBM).
40ft dry containers' dimensions
Internal length:
39 feet 5.5 inches (12.03m)
Internal width:
7 feet 8 inches (2.35m)
Internal height:
7 feet 9 inches (2.39m)
Tare weight:
8,200 lbs (3,720 kg)
Payload capacity:
58,920 lbs (26,760 kg)
Cubic capacity:
2,389 cubic feet(67.7CBM)
High cube containers
The high cube, abbreviated as HC, maintains the same length and width dimensions as standard containers but features an increased height by one foot. Their design caters to taller cargo or items that exceed the height limit of conventional containers.
Typically, high cube containers come in two primary sizes: 40ft and 45ft HC.
40ft HC shipping container dimensions
Internal length:
39.5 feet (12m)
Internal width:
7.8 feet (2.8m)
Internal height:
8.10 feet (2.7m)
Tare weight:
8,598 lbs (3,900kg)
Payload capacity:
Roughly 63,052 lbs (28,600 kg)
Cubic capacity:
About 2,694.5 cubic feet (76.3CBM)
45 HC shipping container dimensions
Internal length:
44.5 feet (13.6m)
Internal width:
7.8 feet (2.4m)
Internal height:
8.10 feet (2.7m)
Tare weight:
Approximately 10,552 lbs (4,800kg)
Payload capacity:
61,067 lbs (27,700kg)
Cubic capacity:
Around 3,037 cubic feet (86CBM)
Refrigerated shipping container
Reefer containers come with integrated refrigeration systems that effectively manage and adjust the internal temperature. They can maintain from -30°C to +30°C, catering to specific cargo requirements such as food, pharmaceuticals, etc.
It often has sizes of 20 feet, 40 feet, and 40 feet high cube, constructed using weathering steel, recognized as ‘cor-ten’ steel.
20 ft reefer container dimensions
Internal length:
17.9 feet (5.44m)
Internal width:
7.5 feet (2.29m)
Internal height:
7.5 feet (2.27m)
Tare weight:
About 6,791.4 lbs (3,080kg)
Payload capacity:
60,471 lbs (27,400 kg)
Cubic capacity:
999 cubic feet (28.3CBM)
40 ft reefer container dimensions
Internal length:
37.9 feet (11.56m)
Internal width:
7.5 feet (2.3m)
Internal height:
7.4 feet (2.25m)
Tare weight:
10,584 lbs (4,800kg)
Payload capacity:
Around 61,078 lbs (27,700 kg )
Cubic capacity:
2,093 cubic feet (59.27CBM)
40 HC reefer container dimensions
Internal length:
37.9 feet (11.6 m)
Internal width:
7.5 feet (2.3m)
Internal height:
Around 8.4 feet (2.55m)
Tare weight:
9,880 lbs (4,480kg)
Payload capacity:
65,080 lbs (29,520kg)
Cubic capacity:
2,380 cubic feet (67.39CBM)
Open-top container
These containers allow for top loading with a removable top, making them ideal for over-height cargo. For example, tall machinery that cannot easily fit through standard doors.
Moreover, open-top containers provide lashing rings on the upper and lower side rails and corner posts to secure cargo. They are typically available in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes.
20" container dimensions
Internal length:
19.4 feet (5.89m)
Internal width:
7.8 feet (2.35m)
Internal height:
7.8 feet (2.35m)
Tare weight:
About 5,982 lbs (2,260kg)
Payload capacity:
Around 62,214 lbs (28,220 kg)
Cubic capacity:
1,155 cubic feet (32.7CBM)
40" container dimensions
Internal length:
39.5 feet (12.03m)
Internal width:
7.9 feet (2.4m)
Internal height:
7.8 feet (2.3m)
Tare weight:
8,774 lbs (3,980kg)
Payload capacity:
58,422 lbs (26,500kg)
Cubic capacity:
2,356 cubic feet (66.7CBM)
Flat rack container
This simple storage container features a flat steel base, having either fixed or collapsible end walls. It serves to deliver heavy machinery, tracked vehicles, large reels, and construction materials.
Some 40-foot flat rack shipping containers can transport up to 40 metric tons of cargo!
Please review the usual dimensions of flat rack units provided below:
20ft container dimensions
Internal length:
19 feet (5.79m)
Internal width:
7.7 feet (2.35m)
Internal height:
7.7 feet (2.35m)
Tare weight:
5203.8 lbs (2,360kg)
Payload capacity:
66,458.7 lbs (30,140kg)
Cubic capacity:
1,154 cubic feet (32.68CBM)
40 feet container dimensions
Internal length:
39.8 feet (12.13m)
Internal width:
7.9 feet (2.4m)
Internal height:
7 feet (2.14m)
Tare weight:
11,025 lbs (5,000kg)
Payload capacity:
88,200 lbs (40,000kg)
Cubic capacity:
2,195.7 cubic feet (62.18CBM)
Pallet wide container
The key characteristic of pallet-wide containers is their increased width, allowing for more efficient loading of standard-sized pallets. To illustrate, while a standard 20ft dry container can transport 11 Euro pallets, a 20ft pallet-wide container can carry up to 15 pallets.
20-foot pallet-wide container
Internal width:
8 feet (Approximately 2.43m)
Internal height:
8.8 feet (Around 2.7m)
Internal length:
19.3 feet (Roughly 5.9m)
Tare weight:
5,291.09 lbs (2,400kg)
Payload capacity:
61,906 lbs (28,080kg)
Cubic capacity:
1,213 cubic feet ( 34.34CBM)
40-foot pallet-wide container
Internal width:
8 feet (2.44m)
Internal height:
8.8 feet (2.69m)
Internal length:
39.4 feet (12m)
Tare weight:
8,377.56 lbs (3,800kg)
Payload capacity:
58,819.33 lbs (26,680kg)
Cubic capacity:
2,467.12 cubic feet (69.86CBM)
Side door container
This special purpose container is also called a ‘side access’ or ‘open side’ container and is generally available in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes. Unlike containers primarily featuring double doors or a single cargo door, the open-side container includes access doors on the side in addition to the end doors.
20'' side door container:
Internal length:
19.4 feet (5.9m)
Internal width:
7.7 feet (2.35m)
Internal height:
7.7 feet (2.34m)
Tare weight:
5,950 lbs (2,700kg)
Payload capacity:
61,244 lbs (27,780kg)
Cubic capacity:
Around 1,165 cubic feet (32.99CBM)
40'' side door container:
Internal length:
39.5 feet (12.04m)
Internal width:
7.4 feet (2.28m)
Internal height:
7.5 feet (2.29m)
Tare weight:
10,362 lbs (4,700 kg)
Payload capacity:
60,180 lbs (27,300 kg)
Cubic capacity:
2,306 cubic feet (65.3CBM)
Hard top container
It is a specialized shipping container with a removable hard roof instead of the standard soft or tarpaulin roof in traditional open-top containers.
Goods transported using these containers include marble, glass sheets, and raw materials such as coal. Take a look at the below to get hard-top shipping container dimensions now.
20-foot hard top container size
Internal length:
19.4 feet (5.9m)
Internal width:
7.8 feet (2.38m)
Internal height:
7.8 feet (2.38m)
Tare weight:
5,982 lbs (2,260kg)
Payload capacity:
62,214 lbs (28,220kg)
Cubic capacity:
About 1,155 cubic feet (32.7CBM)
40-foot hard top side container size
Internal length:
39.5 feet (12.04m)
Internal width:
7.9 feet (2.4m)
Internal height:
7.8ft (2.38m)
Tare weight:
8,774 lbs (3,980kg)
Payload capacity:
58,422 lbs (26,500kg)
Cubic capacity:
2,356 cubic feet (66.7CBM)
ISO tank container
An ISO tank container is a shipping container built to transport liquids, gases, and bulk commodities in a standardized manner. The IMO certification on the container specifies the types of liquids approved for transportation.
Generally, these containers come in various sizes, with capacities ranging from around 14,000 to 26,000 liters. The most common sizes include 20-foot and 40-foot tank containers.
20ft tank shipping container dimensions
Internal length:
20 feet (6.09m)
Internal width:
8 feet (2.44m)
Internal height:
8 feet 6 inches (2.62m)
Payload capacity:
Around 22,000 to 26,000 liters (5,800 to 6,900 gallons) of liquid cargo
40ft tank shipping container dimensions
Internal length:
40 feet (12.19m)
Internal width:
8 feet (2.44m)
Internal height:
8 feet 6 inches (2.62m)
Payload capacity:
Approximately 40,000 to 50,000 liters (10,500 to 13,200 gallons) of liquid cargo
Double door container
They’re known as ‘double-end door containers’ or ‘tunnel containers,’ allowing loading and unloading at both ends. For instance, if you need to ship a car, you can easily drive it through a double doors container.
These containers usually come in standard sizes like 20-foot and 40-foot lengths, conforming to industry standards for variations in height (high cube).
20ft double door container size
Internal length:
19.4 feet (5.9m)
Internal width:
7.8 feet (2.37m)
Internal height:
7.9 feet (2.41m)
Cubic capacity:
1,172 cubic feet (33.2CBM)
Payload capacity:
Around 55,126.9 lbs (25,000kg)
40ft double door container size
Internal length:
39.5 feet (12.03m)
Internal width:
7.9 feet (2.41m)
Internal height:
7.9 feet (2.41m)
Cubic capacity:
2,389 cubic feet (67.7CBM)
Payload capacity:
Roughly 61,200 lbs (27,600kg)
40ft HC double door container size
Internal length:
39.5 feet (12.03m)
Internal width:
7.8 feet (2.37m)
Internal height:
8.9 feet (2.71m)
Cubic capacity:
2,694 cubic feet (76.3CBM)
Payload capacity:
63,052 lbs (28,600kg)
Insulated container
Insulated or thermal containers are furnished with regulated temperature controls, allowing them to endure elevated temperatures.
Additionally, the insulation materials used in these containers, like foam, fiberglass, or other specialized insulating materials, help mitigate sudden temperature changes.
They prove especially advantageous for transporting products over long distances.
20ft insulated container
Internal length:
18.10 feet (5.51m)
Internal width:
7.6 feet (2.32m)
Internal height:
Around 6.9 feet (2.11m)
Cubic capacity:
970 cubic feet (27.4CBM）
Payload capacity:
47,070 lbs (21,350 kg)
40ft insulated container
Internal length:
37.11 feet (11.32m)
Internal width:
7.6 feet (2.28 m)
Internal height:
7.5 feet (2.29m)
Cubic capacity:
2,090 cubic feet (59.18CBM)
Payload capacity:
61,070lbs (27,700 kg)
Find the best shipping container expert
Getting the precise container types and dimensions is crucial. We at Airsupply can assist you in selecting the appropriate one by utilizing our logistics and cargo-handling expertise.
Through an analysis of your cargo (dimensions, weight, fragility, temperature sensitivity, etc.), we can tailor the best logistics solutions.
Moreover, you can obtain real-time pricing quotes for standard containers in over 150 locations worldwide.
Our integrated services encompass packaging, loading, transportation, and documentation. We ensure seamless management of the entire logistics chain, guaranteeing a competitive price from start to finish.
People always ask
What sizes do shipping containers come in?
Shipping containers come in various sizes, with the most common being 20 ft, 40 ft, and 40 ft high cube containers.
Additionally, there are smaller containers, such as 10-foot containers, and larger ones, such as 45-foot or 53-foot containers, which are less used in standard shipping practices.
How much weight can a 40ft container carry?
A standard 40-foot shipping container has a maximum payload capacity of around 58,900 pounds (26,760kg) when considering sea freight.
However, this weight limit can vary slightly based on the type of shipping container, the manufacturer, and regulations in different regions.
To ensure compliance with safety regulations, you can consult with our shipping expert for precise weight limits and guidelines for cargo loading within a container.
What is the width of a shipping container?
The external width of a standard shipping container is usually 8 feet or 2.44 meters. It is the typical width for most ISO-standard containers in international shipping.
