Specifications

Typical ISO (International Standards Organization) shipping containers are manufactured

with identical size specification in terms of exterior height, exterior width, and exterior
length. The standardization of containers and the adoption of the ISO specification is to
insure that all equipment handlers, chassis, rail cars, and slot spaces on vessels will
accommodate ALL containers. This makes our job much easier, because we can confidently
give you exact exterior specifications. Interior specifications can be slightly different, less
then 1 variation. These ISO containers are now available in all major metropolitan areas
throughout the nation. Shipping containers as storage units have changed the storage
industry, most people prefer the convenience of mobile storage vs. standard mini storage.
Container Solutions has formed a network of small businesses that are familiar with your
needs. This guide is designed to help you become informed about container uses, common
questions and problems.

Typical Dimensions
Exterior

Interior

Door Opening

Length

Width

Height

Length

Width

Height

Width

Height

10 Standard Dry Container

10

86

93

78

7 9 7/8

78

75

20 Standard Dry Container

20

86

193

78

7 9 7/8

78

75

40 Standard Dry Container

40

86

39 5

78

7 9 7/8

78

75

40 High Cube Dry Container

40

96

39 5

78

8 10

78

8 5 1/2

45 High Cube Dry Container

45

96

44 5

78

8 10

78

8 5 1/2

20 Refrigerated Container

19 10.5

86

17 11

76

76*

75

73

40 Refrigerated Container

40

86

37 11

76

76*

76

76

40 High Cube Refrigerated

Container

40

96

37 11

76

84*

76

84

Typical Weights / Capacity

20 Standard Dry Container

Cubic Capacity

Tare Weight

Max Gross

Max Payload

1,165 cu. ft.

5,050

67,200

62,150

40 Standard Dry Container

2,350 cu. ft.

8,000

67,200

59,200

40 High Cube Dry Container

2694 cu. ft.

8,775

67,200

58,425

45 High Cube Dry Container

3043 cu. ft.

9,810

72,800

62,990

20 Refrigerated Container

1,010 cu. ft. (967)**

6,503

52,800

46,407

40 Refrigerated Container

2,051 cu. ft. (1959)**

9,700

67,200

57,450

40 High Cube Refrigerated

2,380 cu. ft. (2,289)**

9,590

70,550

60,960

External Shipping Container Dimensions

Container Length
For storage and other non-shipping applications other sizes are created by cutting
down larger containers to required size. Most common cut-down sizes are 8ft
(2.44m), 12ft (3.66m), 16ft (4.88m), 24ft (7.32m) and 32ft (9.75m). There are many
container modification companies who will make other sizes to order.

Container Height
The most common height of a container is 8ft 6ins (2.59m) though 9ft 6ins (2.90m)
high containers are becoming increasingly common. In the past 8ft high (2.44m)
was very common and there are some containers 9ft (2.74m) available but these
are rare.

Container Width
The standard width of a container is 8ft (2.44m). To accommodate some types of
pallet, particularly in Europe 2.5m wide containers are available though are less
commonly available to buy on the second hand market.

Internal Shipping Container Dimensions

The sides of a container are in nearly all cases, corrugated. The depth of the
corrugation is usually 1 inch (25mm), which means that 2 inches (50mm) is lost
from the external width dimension. The back (blank end) is also corrugated and the

doors are around 2 inches (50mm) thick meaning that approximately 3 inches
(75mm) is lost from the length.
The main reduction from external to internal dimensions is with height. The floor of
a standard container has an underside clearance of approximately 6 inches
(150mm) and the floor has a thickness of 27mm (1.1 inches). As the roof is
corrugated another 1 inch (25mm) is lost resulting in an internal dimension of
around 8 inches less than external 7ft 10 inches (2.39m), though this can vary
slightly either way.

Through the door height

Through the door height is further reduced because of the steel top rail above the
door which is a part of the structural integrity of the container which is 4 inches
(100mm) thus reducing the entrance height to 7ft 6ins (2.28m), though this can
vary slightly either way.

Shipping Container Weights

There are three relevant weights, the Tare Weight, the Gross Weight and the
Payload. These are painted onto the outside of the doors of a shipping container
when it is in shipping service or before it has been repainted for another application.

The Container Tare Weight is the weight of the container without cargo or contents.

The Container Gross Weight is the weight of the container plus the maximum payload it can
hold i.e. the maximum total weight of the container.

The Payload (or Net Weight) is the weight of the cargo or contents that a container can hold.
Typical Weights of Standard Shipping Containers

Length

10ft

20ft

Max Gross Weight

11,300kg

30,4

24,910lbs

67,2

1,300kg

2,17

2,870lbs

4,78

10,000kg

28,3

22,040lbs

62,4

Tare Weight

Payload (or Net Weight)

Typical Weights of Standard Shipping Containers

*The most common alternative for 20fts is 24,000kg for stores manufactured to a
lower specification.
Note that cut-down containers cannot hold the same weight when lifted as a
standard container because the structure of the container has been altered. The
container modification company should be able to supply details of capacities and
advise if their design has been weight tested for lifting.

Cubic Container Capacity

Typical Cubic Capacities of Standard Shipping Containers

Length

10ft

20ft

Cubic Capacity

15.95 cu m

33.2 cu m

563.3 cu ft

1,170 cu ft

Shipping Container Structure

Shipping containers are designed to carry cargo. They are designed to be lifted
vertically from above by cranes and transferred from ship to shore and between
other forms of transport such as trains and lorries. Therefore they need to have
strength in the top corners where they are engaged by the twistlocks of a container
lifting crane. The corner castings in the top corners of the container are therefore
points of strength.
The strength is transferred down through the corner posts to the corner castings at
the bottom and then through the floor. The floor is constructed of steel cross
members approximately 6 inches (150mm) deep, which are approximately 20
inches (508mm) apart and give transverse strength and support the floor. The cross
members are welded at each end to longitudinal beams which run the length of the
container between the corner castings. This all means that the strength of a
container lies within the corner posts and the floor. Structural alterations or damage
to these components will weaken the container.

The information contained here is for guidance only. ContainerContainer do not

accept any responsibility for any loss or damages resulting from use or
interpretation of this information.