CONTAINER SIZES
Most buyers choose between a 20ft Standard, a 40ft Standard and a 40ft High Cube. Start with exterior size and square footage — that decides what fits on your property — then look at interior and door dimensions to confirm what fits inside.
Size settled? Next come condition grades and warranties and delivery requirements — or follow the whole sequence in how to buy a shipping container.
A 20ft covers 160 square feet; both 40ft options cover 320. All three are 8 feet wide externally, so the decision is length — and whether that length fits your site.
The 40ft High Cube adds twelve inches of exterior height over a standard 40ft — 9' 6" against 8' 6" — with an interior height of 8' 9" and an 8' 5" door opening.
Whatever goes inside has to pass the door opening first. Both standards open 7' 8-1/2" wide by 7' 5-3/4" high; the high cube opens 7' 8" by 8' 5".
Measurements start at the intended placement point and extend straight forward. The driver cannot turn within the required 110-foot or 130-foot delivery space.
110 ft
straight space for a 20ft container
130 ft
straight space for a 40ft container
15 / 22 ft
minimum driving height and unloading height
10 ft
minimum width along the delivery path
Full requirements: the delivery guide