Before you buy or rent a container, you need the dimensions: Will the container fit in the space available? Will the cargo fit through the door? This page summarises all common Container dimensions and sizes in uniform tables – external and internal dimensions, door opening, tare weight, payload and cargo volume. All values according to ISO 668; actual dimensions may vary by a few millimetres depending on the manufacturer and year of build.
Container sizes at a glance
| Type | External L×W×H (mm) | Internal L×W×H (mm) | Door opening W×H (mm) | Tare weight | Max. payload | Cargo volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 2.991 × 2.438 × 2.591 | approx. 2.831 × 2.350 × 2.390 | approx. 2.286 × 2.278 | approx. 1.300 kg | approx. 8.000 kg | approx. 16 m³ |
| 20 ft | 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 | approx. 5.898 × 2.350 × 2.390 | approx. 2.340 × 2.280 | approx. 2.200 kg | approx. 28.000 kg | approx. 33 m³ |
| 20 ft High Cube | 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.896 | approx. 5.898 × 2.350 × 2.695 | approx. 2.340 × 2.585 | approx. 2.350 kg | approx. 28.000 kg | approx. 37 m³ |
| 40 ft | 12.192 × 2.438 × 2.591 | approx. 12.032 × 2.350 × 2.390 | approx. 2.340 × 2.280 | approx. 3.700 kg | approx. 26.500 kg | approx. 67 m³ |
| 40 ft High Cube | 12.192 × 2.438 × 2.896 | approx. 12.032 × 2.350 × 2.695 | approx. 2.340 × 2.585 | approx. 3.900 kg | approx. 28.500 kg | approx. 76 m³ |
↔ Scroll table to the left/
The interior dimensions are around 15 to 20 cm smaller than the exterior dimensions – this is the wall thickness of the corrugated steel profiles. The door opening is always slightly smaller than the clear interior dimension, because the door frame and locking bars take up space. When loading with a forklift or pallet truck, the door opening height is often the limiting value.
20 ft container – dimensions
The 20 ft container measures externally 6,06 m long, 2,44 m wide and 2,59 m high, and internally around 5,90 × 2,35 × 2,39 m with a volume of approximately 33 m³ . The floor row holds around 11 Euro pallets (lengthwise), or correspondingly fewer when placed crosswise. Euro pallets fit crosswise through the double door (approx. 2,34 m wide). Tare weight approx. 2,2 t, permissible payload up to approx. 28 t. Typical uses: storage, construction sites, conversion, overseas shipping. Available options: Buy a 20 ft container.
40 ft container and 40 ft High Cube – dimensions
The 40 ft standard container measures externally 12,19 m long, with otherwise the same width and height as the 20 ft, and internally around 12,03 × 2,35 × 2,39 m, volume approx. 67 m³, a single layer on the floor holds around 21–25 Euro pallets. The High Cube (HC) is externally 2,90 m high (internally ~2,70 m) – 30 cm more interior height with the same floor area, approx. 76 m³. This is worthwhile for fit-out projects (enough standing height remains after insulation), tall packages and stacking two layers of pallets. Available options: Buy a 40 ft container.
10 ft containers and small containers
The 10 ft container (approx. 3,0 m externally) and the even smaller 6 and 8 ft containers are custom-built – more expensive per cubic metre, but ideal if little floor space is available or only tools, garden equipment and small machines are to be stored. They can be delivered with a smaller truck. More about the compact format: Buy an 8 ft container.
Special containers – different dimensions
- Open Top / Hard Top: External dimensions as standard, loading from above by crane; the interior height on the door side is slightly lower due to the door header.
- Open Side: the entire long side opens – access along the full length of the container, ideal for bulky single items.
- Flat Rack: folding end walls, for cargo that is wider or taller than the standard dimensions.
- Double Door: doors on both ends – drive-through loading without manoeuvring inside the container.
- Pallet Wide: slightly wider interior dimensions, so that two Euro pallets fit side by side per row.
- Refrigerated containers: The refrigeration unit and insulation take up interior space – a 20 ft reefer container has only approx. 28 m³ of usable cooling space instead of 33 m³.
Available options: Special containers.
Feet to metres and ISO type codes
- 1 ft = 0,3048 m. “20 ft” corresponds to a nominal length of 6,10 m (external dimension 6,058 m according to the standard), “40 ft” to 12,19 m.
- The ISO type code is shown on every container (e.g. 22G1, 45G1): the first digit encodes the length (2 = 20 ft, 4 = 40 ft), the second the height (2 = standard, 5 = High Cube), the letter and digit the design (G = General Purpose). More on this: ISO containers explained simply.
Space requirements and delivery
In addition to the container length, allow for manoeuvring space . For delivery by crane truck, besides the container footprint you need about 3 m of lateral swing area and access for a truck 12–18 m long. With a tilt chassis, the container rolls off to the rear – several metres must be clear behind it. The ground must be load-bearing and level; concrete slabs are recommended under the four corner castings. Details: Container transport and logistics.
Which container size for which purpose?
| Purpose | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| Tools, small crew | 8–10 ft |
| Household move, 2–3 rooms | 20 ft |
| Construction site materials, retail | 20 ft |
| Machinery fleet, large quantities of goods | 40 ft / 40 HC |
| Conversion into office or living space | 20 or 40 ft High Cube |
Next: Buy a container · Rent storage containers · How much does a shipping container cost
Frequently asked questions
What are the interior dimensions of a 20 ft container?
Around 5,90 m long, 2,35 m wide, 2,39 m high – about 33 m³.
How much fits in a 40 ft container?
About 67 m³ (standard) or 76 m³ (High Cube). A single layer on the floor holds around 21–25 Euro pallets.
What is the difference between standard and High Cube?
The High Cube is 30 cm taller (interior ~2,70 instead of 2,39 m), otherwise identical.
How heavy is an empty container?
20 ft approx. 2,2 t, 40 ft approx. 3,7 t. This is important when choosing the transport vehicle.
Does a Euro pallet fit crosswise through the door?
Yes – the door opening is approx. 2,34 m wide, and a Euro pallet is 1,2 m long.
More from the guide
More basics on buying and converting containers in the Container guide.
Further reading
Request a quote · Buy a container · container transport · How much does a shipping container cost
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 7. November 2026 · Redaktion: Coin Container Team, Hamburg