Shipping Container Sizes and Dimensions: A UK Guide
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Shipping containers are built to international standards, so their sizes are consistent the world over. In short, standard containers are 8ft wide and 8ft 6in tall, and come in lengths of 10ft, 20ft and 40ft, while high cube containers are a foot taller at 9ft 6in. A 20ft container gives you around 33 cubic metres of space, and a 40ft around 67.
This guide sets out the external and internal dimensions, door openings and capacity for each size, so you can work out exactly what will fit.
How Big Is a Shipping Container?
Because containers are built to ISO standards, a few measurements stay the same across almost all of them:
- Width: every standard container is 8ft (2.44m) wide externally, and around 2.35m internally.
- Height: a standard container is 8ft 6in (2.59m) tall externally, or around 2.39m inside. A high cube is 9ft 6in (2.90m) externally, giving around 2.70m of internal height.
- Length: the common lengths are 10ft, 20ft and 40ft.
The length is what changes most, and it is why the 20ft and 40ft are the most widely used sizes.
10ft Shipping Container Dimensions
- External: 2.99m long x 2.44m wide x 2.59m high (10ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in)
- Internal: approximately 2.83m x 2.35m x 2.39m
- Door opening: approximately 2.34m wide x 2.28m high
- Capacity: around 16 cubic metres
20ft Shipping Container Dimensions
- External: 6.06m long x 2.44m wide x 2.59m high (20ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in)
- Internal: approximately 5.90m x 2.35m x 2.39m
- Door opening: approximately 2.34m wide x 2.28m high
- Capacity: around 33 cubic metres
The 20ft is the most popular size, striking a balance between capacity and a footprint that fits most sites.
40ft Shipping Container Dimensions
- External: 12.19m long x 2.44m wide x 2.59m high (40ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in)
- Internal: approximately 12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m
- Door opening: approximately 2.34m wide x 2.28m high
- Capacity: around 67 cubic metres
A 40ft container is double the length of a 20ft but shares the same width and height, so it takes up the same footprint per metre.
High Cube Container Dimensions
A high cube shares the length and width of a standard container but stands a foot taller, at 9ft 6in externally and around 2.70m internally. That extra height adds useful volume:
- 20ft high cube: around 37 cubic metres
- 40ft high cube: around 76 cubic metres
High cubes suit tall or bulky loads, and anywhere the extra headroom is useful. You can see how they compare with other designs in our guide to the types of shipping containers.
Internal vs External Dimensions
It is worth knowing the difference between the two. External dimensions matter for delivery and siting, telling you how much space the container needs and whether it will fit through access points. Internal dimensions matter for what you can actually store, and are always a little smaller because of the thickness of the steel walls, floor and doors. When you are planning a load, the internal measurements and the door opening are the figures to work to.
Choosing the Right Size
The right size comes down to what you need to store or move and the space you have available. For a guide to matching the size to your use, see what size shipping container you need, and if you are loading pallets, our guide to how many pallets fit in a container breaks it down by size.
We supply new-build and used containers in every size across Sunderland, the North East, Teesside, Scotland and the Borders. Get in touch and we will help you find the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is a shipping container?
Standard shipping containers are 8ft wide and 8ft 6in tall, in lengths of 10ft, 20ft and 40ft. A 20ft container offers around 33 cubic metres of space and a 40ft around 67, while high cube containers add a foot of height for extra volume.
How wide is a shipping container?
Almost all standard shipping containers are 8ft (2.44m) wide externally, regardless of length, with an internal width of around 2.35m. This consistent width is set by international ISO standards so containers stack and travel together.
How tall is a shipping container?
A standard shipping container is 8ft 6in (2.59m) tall externally, with around 2.39m of internal height. A high cube container is 9ft 6in (2.90m) externally, giving roughly 2.70m inside, a foot more than a standard unit.
What are the standard shipping container sizes?
The standard sizes are 10ft, 20ft and 40ft in length, all 8ft wide and either 8ft 6in tall (standard) or 9ft 6in tall (high cube). The 20ft and 40ft are by far the most common for both storage and shipping.
What are the internal dimensions of a 20ft and 40ft container?
A 20ft container has an internal space of roughly 5.90m long x 2.35m wide x 2.39m high. A 40ft container is about 12.03m long with the same width and height. High cube versions of each add around 300mm of internal height.