Shipping Container Dimensions & Weights
Looking for Precise Shipping Container Measurements?
Compare external and internal dimensions, door openings, floor area, cubic capacity and empty weights for shipping containers from 5ft to 45ft. Separate tables cover our flat pack, CarTainer®, WideLine®, CTX and SlimLine® ranges.
We have checked the measurements against physical units at our Knowsley fabrication depot, including non-standard sizes confirmed by our fabrication manager.
For vehicle access and offloading requirements, see our container delivery guide. Tell us any critical dimensions when you request a quote.
Working out your container storage capacity
To estimate how much a 20ft or 40ft container will hold, measure the outside of your packed items in metres. For each rectangular item, multiply length × width × height, then multiply by the quantity. Add the results to estimate the total cubic metres (CBM) you need.
Compare that total with the cubic capacity below, then check the arrangement. A low total volume does not guarantee that a long or awkwardly shaped item will fit.
Allow for gaps between items and any aisle needed for access. For items that cannot be stacked, plan their positions on the floor rather than counting the unused space above them.
How much weight can a container hold?
The empty weights in our tables are not carrying capacities. The figure you need is the maximum payload for the particular container.
Tare is the empty container weight. Maximum gross weight is the permitted total for the container and its load. Maximum payload is the difference: maximum gross weight minus tare. Packing materials and supports count towards that load too.
Do not assume all 10ft containers share the same limit, or that a cut-down unit retains its original rating. Confirm the finished container's permitted load and any floor-loading limits before storing heavy equipment.
Need help matching a container to your load? Send us the item dimensions, quantities and weights with your enquiry.
Container Length Converter
CTX New Build Container Dimensions
EXTERNAL MEASUREMENTS/DIMENSIONS
| Type | Length | Width | Standard Height | High Cube Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX06 | 6' 6" / 1980mm | 6' 4" / 1950mm | 6' 3" / 1910mm | N/A |
| CX07 | 7' 2" / 2200mm | 5' 3" / 1600mm | 8' / 2450mm | N/A |
| CX08 | 8' / 2420mm | 7' 2" / 2200mm | 7' 5" / 2260mm | N/A |
| CX10 | 10' / 3020mm | 8'/ 2440mm | 8' 6"/ 2600mm | N/A |
INTERNAL MEASUREMENTS/DIMENSIONS
| Type | Length | Width | Standard Height | High Cube Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX06 | 5' 11" / 1800mm | 6' 1" / 1860mm | 5' 8" / 1630mm | N/A |
| CX07 | 6' 8" / 2040mm | 4' 11" / 1510mm | 7' 2" / 2200mm | N/A |
| CX08 | 7' 5" / 2280mm | 6'11" / 2110mm | 6' 8" / 2050mm | N/A |
| CX10 | 9' 3" / 2830mm | 7' 7" / 2340mm | 7'.8" / 2370mm | N/A |
AREA & VOLUME
| Type | Floor Area | Cubic Capacity Standard | Cubic Capacity High Cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| CX06 | 36sq ft / 3.35m2 | 235cu ft / 6.66m3 | N/A |
| CX07 | 33sq ft / 3.08m2 | 247cu ft / 7m3 | N/A |
| CX08 | 52sq ft / 4.81m2 | 347cu ft / 9.82m3 | N/A |
| CX10 | 71sq ft / 6.62m2 | 558cu ft / 15.76m3 | N/A |
WEIGHT (with ply floor)
| Type | Weight |
|---|---|
| CX06 | 450kg / 992lb |
| CX07 | 450kg / 992lb |
| CX08 | 630kg / 1389lb |
| CX10 | 825kg / 1819lb |
SlimLine® Container Dimensions (Narrow Containers)
EXTERNAL MEASUREMENTS/DIMENSIONS
| Type | Length | Width | Standard Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLM510 | 10' / 3050mm | 5' / 1520mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM515 | 15' / 4550mm | 5' / 1520mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM520 | 20' / 6060mm | 5' / 1520mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM530 | 30' / 9120mm | 5' / 1520mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM540 | 40' / 12190mm | 5' / 1520mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM610 | 10' / 3050mm | 6' / 1820mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM615 | 15' / 4550mm | 6' / 1820mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM620 | 20' / 6060mm | 6' / 1820mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM630 | 30' / 9120mm | 6' / 1820mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM640 | 40' / 12190mm | 6' / 1820mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM710 | 10' / 3050mm | 7' / 2130mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM715 | 15' / 4550mm | 7' / 2130mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM720 | 20' / 6060mm | 7' / 2130mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM730 | 30' / 9120mm | 7' / 2130mm | 8' / 2440mm |
| SLM740 | 40' / 12190mm | 7' / 2130mm | 8' / 2440mm |
INTERNAL MEASUREMENTS/DIMENSIONS
| Type | Length | Width | Standard Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLM510 | 9' 2" / 2800mm | 4' 8" / 1460mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM515 | 14' 3" / 4340mm | 4' 8" / 1460mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM520 | 19' 3" / 5870mm | 4' 8" / 1460mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM530 | 29' 4" / 8930mm | 4' 8" / 1460mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM540 | 39' 5" / 12000mm | 4' 8" / 1460mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM610 | 9' 2" / 2800mm | 5' 8" / 1770mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM615 | 14' 3" / 4340mm | 5' 8" / 1770mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM620 | 19' 3" / 5870mm | 5' 8" / 1770mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM630 | 29' 4" / 8930mm | 5' 8" / 1770mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM640 | 39' 4" / 12000mm | 5' 8" / 1770mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM710 | 9' 2" / 2800mm | 6' 8" / 2070mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM715 | 14' 3" / 4340mm | 6' 8" / 2070mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM720 | 19' 3" / 5870mm | 6' 8" / 2070mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM730 | 29' 4" / 8930mm | 6' 8" / 2070mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
| SLM740 | 39' 5" / 12000mm | 6' 8" / 2070mm | 7' 9" / 2350mm |
* Please allow for a tolerance of up to 6 inches (152mm) on Cut Down container lengths. These measurements may vary due to the construction and cut down process, where we may need to cut either side of the steel bearers. For our New Build containers allow for a tolerance of up to 0.39 inches (10mm). Please inform us with your order if you have specific requirements within the tolerance.
Container Dimensions FAQ
Container sizes
What are standard shipping container dimensions in metres and feet?
The standard-height containers in our main tables are 8ft (2.438m) wide and 8ft 6in (2.591m) high externally. Length varies by size, with 10ft, 20ft and 40ft containers covered below alongside smaller and cut-down sizes.
The size name refers to external length, not the usable space inside. Walls, corner posts and door frames reduce the internal dimensions. Use the separate range tables for flat pack, extra-wide and narrow containers rather than applying standard measurements to every container.
What are the external and internal dimensions of a 10ft container?
For the standard-height cut-down 10ft container listed on this page, measurements are given as length × width × height:
External: 10ft × 8ft × 8ft 6in (3.048m × 2.438m × 2.591m).
Internal: approximately 9ft 4in × 7ft 8in × 7ft 9in (2.845m × 2.330m × 2.350m).
Allow up to 6in (152mm) tolerance on cut-down length. Tell us before ordering if your container needs to fit within a specific space.
What are the external and internal dimensions of a 20ft container?
For the standard-height 20ft container listed on this page, measurements are given as length × width × height:
External: 20ft × 8ft × 8ft 6in (6.096m × 2.438m × 2.591m).
Internal: approximately 19ft 6in × 7ft 8in × 7ft 9in (5.944m × 2.330m × 2.350m).
Use the internal measurements for racking and storage layouts, and check the door opening separately before planning how to load large items.
What are the external and internal dimensions of a 40ft container?
For the standard-height 40ft container listed on this page, measurements are given as length × width × height:
External: 40ft × 8ft × 8ft 6in (12.192m × 2.438m × 2.591m).
Internal: approximately 39ft 5in × 7ft 8in × 7ft 9in (12.014m × 2.330m × 2.350m).
A high cube has more headroom. See the standard and high cube height comparison for the external and internal heights.
What are the dimensions of a 30ft shipping container?
For the standard-height cut-down 30ft container listed on this page, measurements are given as length × width × height:
External: 30ft × 8ft × 8ft 6in (9.144m × 2.438m × 2.591m).
Internal: approximately 29ft 4in × 7ft 8in × 7ft 9in (8.941m × 2.330m × 2.350m).
Allow up to 6in (152mm) tolerance on cut-down length. Tell us which measurement is critical if you are fitting the container or its contents into a restricted space.
What are the dimensions of small 5ft, 6ft and 8ft containers?
The standard-height cut-down versions in our main table share an external width of 8ft (2.438m) and height of 8ft 6in (2.591m). Their listed external lengths are:
- 5ft container: 1.524m.
- 6ft container: 1.829m.
- 8ft container: 2.438m.
Internal space is smaller, so check the internal dimensions table as well. Allow up to 6in (152mm) tolerance on cut-down length. These figures do not describe the flat pack or other new build ranges.
What are the dimensions of 12ft, 15ft and other cut-down containers?
The standard-height 12ft and 15ft cut-down containers in our main table are 8ft (2.438m) wide and 8ft 6in (2.591m) high externally.
- 12ft: external length 3.658m; internal length approximately 3.454m.
- 15ft: external length 4.572m; internal length approximately 4.369m.
The tables also cover 16ft, 24ft and 25ft containers. Allow up to 6in (152mm) tolerance on cut-down length and tell us before ordering if you have a specific dimensional requirement.
Width, height and door openings
How wide is a shipping container, inside and outside?
Standard-width containers in our main tables are 8ft (2.438m) wide externally and approximately 7ft 8in (2.330m) wide internally. The door opening is narrower, so check it separately when planning to load large items.
For a different external width, compare our WideLine® extra-wide containers and SlimLine® narrow containers.
Lining and insulation reduce usable internal space. Confirm the finished internal dimensions for your chosen specification rather than using the unlined measurements.
How tall is a standard or high cube shipping container?
A standard-height (DV) container is 8ft 6in (2591mm) high externally, with approximately 7ft 9in (2350mm) of internal height. A high cube (HC) is 9ft 6in (2895mm) high externally, with approximately 8ft 9in (2650mm) of internal height.
High cube refers to extra height, not extra width. These internal heights are for unlined containers; lining reduces the usable headroom.
What are the door opening dimensions of a shipping container?
The standard door-opening figures listed on this page are 2280mm wide, with an opening height of 2260mm on a standard-height container or 2560mm on a high cube.
These are opening measurements, not internal dimensions. Roller shutters have different entry dimensions, so check the specification for your chosen container doors before planning equipment access.
Floor space, volume and weight
How much floor space is inside a 20ft or 40ft shipping container?
A 20ft container has approximately 150 sq ft (13.93m2) of internal floor area. A 40ft container has approximately 305 sq ft (28.33m2).
These figures describe the floor space inside the unlined container, not its external footprint. Lining and internal fittings reduce the space available for storage. Compare other sizes in the floor area and cubic capacity table.
What is the internal volume of a shipping container?
The listed internal volumes for standard-height containers are:
- 10ft: 15.89m3 (560 cu ft).
- 20ft: 32.85m3 (1160 cu ft).
- 40ft: 66.83m3 (2360 cu ft).
High cube versions have more volume because they are taller. Cubic capacity describes internal space, not the weight a container can carry.
How much does an empty shipping container weigh?
A 20ft container weighs approximately 2230kg empty and a 40ft approximately 3950kg. The listed empty weights for 8ft and 10ft cut-down containers are 1198kg and 1450kg respectively.
Empty weight is also called tare weight. It excludes the contents and is not a payload limit. Weights vary by manufacturer and door type.
See the empty-weight table for other sizes and our delivery guide for access and siting information.
Need a container to fit a specific space? Request a quote with your required external dimensions, usable internal space and door clearance, or browse our container ranges.