Shipping containers come in various sizes and dimensions to accommodate different cargo needs. The industry standard for shipping containers is to measure them in feet. Among the various types, the most common sizes are the 20-foot and 40-foot containers, often referred to as 20’ and 40’ containers, respectively. Here are the standard dimensions for these containers:

20-foot Container Dimensions:

• Length: 20 feet (6.06 meters)
• Width: 8 feet (2.44 meters)
• Height: 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 meters)

40-foot Container Dimensions:

• Length: 40 feet (12.2 meters)
• Width: 8 feet (2.44 meters)
• Height: 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 meters)

In addition to the standard height containers, there are also “High Cube” containers which provide an extra foot in height:

40-foot High Cube Container Dimensions:

• Length: 40 feet (12.2 meters)
• Width: 8 feet (2.44 meters)
• Height: 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 meters)

These dimensions pertain to the exterior of the containers. Internally, the dimensions are slightly less due to the thickness of the walls:

20-foot Internal Container Dimensions:

• Length: approximately 19 feet 4 inches (5.89 meters)
• Width: approximately 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 meters)
• Height: approximately 7 feet 10 inches (2.39 meters)
  

  20ft container

40-foot Internal Container Dimensions:

• Length: approximately 39 feet 6 inches (12.03 meters)
• Width: approximately 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 meters)
• Height: approximately 7 feet 10 inches (2.39 meters)
  

  40ft container

40-foot High Cube Internal Container Dimensions:

• Length: approximately 39 feet 6 inches (12.03 meters)
• Width: approximately 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 meters)
• Height: approximately 8 feet 10 inches (2.69 meters)
  

  40HQ container

The dimensions mentioned above are the most common, but containers can also be found in lengths of 10’, 30’, and 45’, with varying width and height for specialized cargo.

Tare Weight and Payload Capacity: In terms of weight, each container type has a “tare” weight, which is the weight of the container when empty, and a maximum “payload” capacity, which is the maximum weight of the cargo that can be safely carried inside the container.

For instance, a standard 20-foot container typically has a tare weight of about 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) and a payload capacity of about 28,000 kg (61,729 lbs). A standard 40-foot container generally has a tare weight of roughly 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) and a payload capacity of around 27,000 kg (59,525 lbs). High Cube containers have similar tare weights but may have different payload capacities due to their different dimensions.

It is important to note that these dimensions and weights are general approximations, and there may be slight variations based on the manufacturer, the age of the container, and specific design characteristics. Always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications or consult with the shipping company for the precise measurements and weight limits of the containers in use.