Shipping Container Types and Measurements
The types and measurements of containers vary widely depending on their use, ranging from small food storage containers to large intermodal shipping containers regulated by ISO standards
Shipping containers are standardized globally for efficient transport across ships, rail, and trucks. The most common sizes are 20-foot and 40-foot lengths.
Common Types
Dry Containers (General Purpose): The most common type, fully enclosed and used for general cargo that doesn’t require temperature control.
- High Cube: Similar to standard containers but 1 foot (30 cm) taller, providing additional capacity.
- Refrigerated Containers (Reefers): Temperature-controlled units for perishable goods, featuring thicker walls for insulation which slightly reduces internal dimensions.
- Open Top: Have a removable soft top (usually tarpaulin) instead of a solid roof, allowing for top loading of over-height cargo by crane.
- Flat Rack: Have open sides and ends (or collapsible ends), used for oversized items like machinery, vehicles, or pipes.
- Tank Containers: Used for transporting liquid bulk cargo (e.g., fuels, chemicals, food-grade liquids)
Standard Dimensions Overview
Dimensions can vary slightly by manufacturer, but the external width is consistently 8 feet (2.44 meters).
| Container Type | External Length | External Height | Approx. Internal Cubic Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | 20 ft (6.06 m) | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) | ~1,172 cu ft (33.2 m³) |
| 40ft Standard | 40 ft (12.19 m) | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) | ~2,389 cu ft (67.7 m³) |
| 40ft High Cube | 40 ft (12.19 m) | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) | ~2,670 cu ft (76 m³) |