Shipping Container Sizes and Dimensions

Dry Box offers standard and custom shipping container sizes including 8ft, 10ft, 15ft, 20ft, 24ft, 30ft, 40ft, 45ft, and 53ft.

All cargo containers are 8 feet wide on the outside except the 53ft container which is 8'6” wide.

Standard shipping container height is 8'6" tall on the outside, while high cube containers add a full extra foot, reaching 9'6" on the outside.

Whenever you see "HC" in a container listing, that refers to the high cube version.

Common Shipping Container Sizes

The 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft are the most widely used shipping container sizes for container rentals across residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Each is 8ft wide and available in a standard height (8'6") or high cube (9'6") configuration.

Shipping Container Sizes For Sale by Dry Box

8ft Shipping Container Dimensions & Uses

The 8ft container is the smallest storage container size in Dry Box's standard shipping containers for sale, and it punches well above its weight.

• Ext. Length: 8'0"
• Shipping Container Width: 8'0"
• Ext. Height (Std): 8'6"
• Ext. Height (HC): 9'6"
• Int. Length: 7'2"
• Int. Width: 7'8"

The exterior footprint is essentially a square at 8 feet long by 8 feet wide. That makes it one of the easiest containers to place in tight residential spots, narrow driveways, or corner lots where a longer unit simply won't fit.

Despite the compact storage container dimensions, the 8ft still locks tight with heavy steel doors and withstands weather the same as larger storage container sizes. It's a solid choice for securing tools at remote job sites, storing holiday equipment between seasons, or giving a small business a secure spot for stock overflow without renting an entire unit they'll never fill.

The 8ft containers are also a creative choice for micro-offices, guard shacks, and pop-up retail kiosks where you want ceiling height without a larger footprint. We also sometimes carry a 6ft container which is the most compact conex box container.

Best for: Residential Storage, Tool Storage, Pop-Up Retail, Seasonal Equipment, Job Site Security

10ft Shipping Container Dimensions & Uses

A step up in cargo container size, still tight on footprint but bigger in capacity.

• Ext. Length: 10'0"
• Shipping Container Width: 8'0"
• Ext. Height (Std): 8'6"
• Ext. Height (HC): 9'6"
• Int. Length: 9'2"
• Int. Width: 7'8"
• Max Payload: ~19,530 lbs

The 10ft shipping container is the most commonly requested small storage container size for residential customers. Its exterior shipping container length of 10 feet means it fits in most standard driveways, back yards, and small commercial lots. Local zoning rules vary, so check permit requirements before you order.

With roughly 9'2" of interior length and 7'8" of interior width, a 10ft container is a great motorcycle storage pod, and comfortably holds the contents of a small studio apartment, a workshop full of tools, or a season's worth of landscaping equipment. At around 19,500 lbs of rated payload capacity, it handles dense, heavy goods without any trouble.

This is also the size used for Dry Box's popular 10ft guard shack configuration, a modified version with windows, doors, and HVAC. It's widely used at construction sites and gated communities across the Pacific Northwest.

Best for: Shed, Small Moves, Tool & Equipment Storage, Guard Shacks, Pop-Up Shops, Mobile Business

15ft Shipping Container Dimensions

The smart middle step, more room than a 10ft without committing to a 20ft.

• Ext. Length: 15'0"
• Shipping Container Width: 8'0"
• Ext. Height (Std): 8'6"
• Ext. Height (HC): 9'6"
• Int. Length: ~14'2"
• Int. Width: 7'8"
• Capacity: ~3 rooms

The 15ft shipping container is custom-built by Dry Box, meaning you won't find this cargo container size rolling out of a standard overseas port. It's designed specifically for storage and on-site use, bridging the gap between the popular 10ft and 20ft sizes.

The shipping container dimensions come out to 15'x8'x8'6" on the exterior, which holds about three rooms' worth of items.

One of the most practical things about this container size is the choice of door style. Dry Box offers the 15ft with either traditional cargo doors or a rollup door.

A rollup door on containers is ideal for on-site workshops or frequent-access storage because it swings up and out of the way instead of opening outward into your work zone.

The high cube version stands 9'6" tall on the outside, and the 15ft HC with a rollup door has become a fan favorite for small businesses that want an attractive, lockable space with just enough room to feel like a real room rather than a closet.

Best for: Storage, Small Business Inventory, Workshop, Moving & Relocation, Equipment

20ft Shipping Container Dimensions

The world standard, the conex box size that moves the majority of global trade.

• Ext. Length: 20'0"
• Shipping Container Width: 8'0"
• Ext. Height (Std): 8'6"
• Ext. Height (HC): 9'6"
• Int. Length: 19'4"
• Int. Width: 7'8"
• Max Payload: ~66,139 lbs

When people picture a shipping container, they're almost always picturing the 20ft. It's the global benchmark that gave rise to the term "twenty-foot equivalent unit" (TEU), which ports and shipping companies use to measure capacity worldwide. It's also the most popular size on the secondary market.

The dimensions of a 20ft shipping container measure 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8'6" tall, with an interior that opens to 19'4" x 7'8" x 7'9".

The storage volume works out to roughly 1,169 cubic feet, enough to hold four to six rooms of household items. That's why it's a go-to size for both cross-country moves and on-site storage at commercial properties.

The 20ft is equally popular as a starting point for container conversions. Dry Box offers a 20ft container cabin and a 20ft mobile office configuration complete with a window, man door, and the option to add insulation and HVAC. It becomes a ready-to-work space you can drop anywhere with a flat surface and a power connection.

Best for: Moving, Overseas Shipping, On-Site Storage, Mobile Office, Workshop, Sheds, Cabins

24ft Shipping Container Dimensions

Dry Box's most popular size for contractors, the sweet spot of space and accessibility.

• Ext. Length: 24'0"
• Shipping Container Width: 8'0"
• Ext. Height (Std): 8'6"
• Ext. Height (HC): 9'6"
• Int. Length: ~23'4"
• Int. Width: 7'8"

Dry Box's own data backs this up: the 24ft storage container is their most popular container size for construction contractors. It's custom-built rather than repurposed from overseas freight, which means you get a unit designed from the ground up for ground-level storage access.

The dimensions of 24'x8' give you enough floor space to easily fit 20 feet of building materials or long equipment inside.

The standard height option comes in at 8'6", but you can also step up to the 9'6" high cube version. All Dry Box 24ft containers are finished wind and watertight, built from heavy-duty steel, and available in custom colors. That makes it easy to match the container to your property or your business branding.

Best for: Construction Materials, Commercial Storage, Business Inventory, Farm & Ranch Storage

30ft Shipping Container Dimensions

More room to breathe, ideal when a 24ft falls just short.

• Ext. Length: 30'0"
• Shipping Container Width: 8'0"
• Ext. Height (Std): 8'6"
• Ext. Height (HC): 9'6"
• Int. Length: ~29'3"
• Int. Width: 7'8"

The 30ft container is a specialty size that sits between the popular 24ft and the more common and affordable 40ft container. When you need more than 24 feet of interior space but don't have the footprint or the budget for a 40ft, the 30ft delivers usable floor space around 29'3" x 7'8". It handles most mid-scale storage demands with room to spare.

Like all Dry Box custom containers, the 30ft shipping container is available with either traditional swing doors or a rollup door. The rollup version is a strong pick for businesses that access the container multiple times a day, since it keeps the doorway clear and makes it easier to drive forklifts or pallet jacks inside.

Farmers, contractors, and event companies tend to gravitate toward this size when they need to store long equipment like irrigation pipes, scaffolding, or event fencing. These items don't fit in a 24ft without cutting or stacking awkwardly. The 30ft solves that problem cleanly.

Best for: Long Equipment Storage, Event Supplies, Farm & Irrigation, Contractor Staging, Commercial Overflow

40ft Shipping Container Dimensions

The 40ft shipping container is the most common for shipping, large moves and construction projects.

• Ext. Length: 40'0"
• Shipping Container Width: 8'0"
• Ext. Height (Std): 8'6"
• Ext. Height (HC): 9'6"
• Int. Length: 39'5"
• Int. Width: 7'8"
• Max Payload: ~57,759 lbs

Twice as long as the 20ft with nearly identical cargo container dimensions in width and height, the 40ft is the undisputed workhorse of the shipping container world. The interior stretches to 39'5" x 7'8" x 7'9", delivering around 2,390 cubic feet of usable space.

That's enough to store an entire house's worth of furniture, a full business inventory, or several large pieces of construction equipment.

Construction companies use 40ft storage containers as rolling job site storage, keeping materials and tools secure between shifts. Property owners use them to stage renovation projects where the home's contents need somewhere safe to live for weeks or months. The weight capacity of nearly 58,000 lbs also makes the 40ft one of the most capable containers for dense freight like flooring, tile, stone, or industrial equipment.

For container homes, the 40ft high cube is the go-to choice. The shipping container length of 40 feet gives architects and designers enough linear space to create a functional single-level home, especially when paired with the high cube's extra headroom. Dry Box also offers a 40ft mobile office conversion with professional-grade finishes for job site office needs.

Best for: Bulk Storage, Container Homes, Construction Staging, Mobile Offices, Industrial Use

45ft High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions

Extra length, extra height, the premium conex container size for high-volume needs.

• Ext. Length: 45'0"
• Shipping Container Width: 8'0"
• Shipping Container Height: 9'6"
• Int. Length: 44'4"
• Int. Width: 7'8"
• Int. Height: ~8'10"

Note: The 45ft container is a high cube unit as standard. In other words, there is no standard-height version. The extra foot of ceiling height compared to a 40ft standard container is built in by default.

The 45ft is where cargo container sizes start to feel genuinely spacious. Five more feet of length than a 40ft, combined with the high cube's 9'6" exterior height, pushes the total volume significantly beyond what a standard 40ft container delivers. The interior runs 44'4" long and nearly 8'10" tall, so you can stack items higher and store taller equipment with room to move around comfortably.

This container size is a natural fit for commercial and industrial applications where volume matters. Wholesale distributors use them to hold a full shipment's worth of palletized goods. Modular home builders use them as building blocks for spacious multi-room layouts.

If you're asking how wide a shipping container is at the 45ft scale, the exterior shipping container width stays at 8 feet, consistent with all ISO-standard conex box sizes. The interior width of 7'8" means a standard pallet fits through the doors with room to maneuver.

Best for: Commercial Storage, Oversized Shipments, Modular Buildings, Event Infrastructure, Wholesale Distribution

53ft Shipping Container Dimensions

The largest storage container size, a portable warehouse in a single unit. We rarely have 53' in stock, as they are not a standard intermodal size.

• Ext. Length: 53'0"
• Shipping Container Width: 8'5"
• Shipping Container Height: 9'5"
• Int. Length: 52'6"
• Int. Width: 8'2"
• Int. Height: 8'11"
• Max Payload: ~56,090 lbs

The 53ft is the largest shipping container size offered by Dry Box, and its shipping container measurements set it apart from everything else in the lineup. Where every other container size shares the standard 8-foot exterior width, the 53ft is slightly wider at 8'5". The interior opens up to an exceptional 8'2" wide, the widest usable interior of any conex container size in this catalog.

The interior cargo container dimensions run 52'6" long, 8'2" wide, and 8'11" tall, totaling roughly 3,800 cubic feet of usable space. That is about 60% more volume than a standard 40ft container. For companies that regularly move large volumes of goods, the 53ft reduces the number of containers needed for a given shipment, which lowers logistics costs.

Best for: Industrial Storage, Portable Warehousing, Large Events & Venues, Auto Garages, Multi-Vehicle Storage, Commercial Conversions

Shipping Container Sizes for Homes

Choosing the right container size for a home build comes down to two things: how much space you actually need, and how many units you're willing to manage on a single foundation. The 40ft container is the most common starting point for container homes. Its shipping container length of 40 feet and high cube height create a livable, airy interior that doesn't feel like a hallway.

Mixing sizes unlocks more interesting floor plans. A 40ft container works as a combined living and dining room, a 24ft unit becomes a private primary bedroom suite, and an 8ft or 10ft module handles a bathroom without eating into your primary living space. Each module can be ordered in a high cube configuration to keep ceilings above 8 feet once insulation and flooring are installed.

The most important tip when planning a container home: account for the reduction between exterior and interior dimensions. A 9'6" high cube loses about 4 to 6 inches of height to the floor system and ceiling finish. Plan your interior layout around the interior shipping container measurements, not the exterior ones.

What Can You Do With These Storage Container Sizes?

Storage container dimensions affect far more than how much fits inside. The size you choose shapes how the container gets delivered, where it can be placed, and what you can realistically convert it into. Here are the most common real-world applications across Dry Box's lineup.

Garages: A 40ft or 45ft container comfortably fits two vehicles in-line. They make an exceptional auto repair shop especially with an open-side container.

On-Site Construction Storage: The 20ft and 24ft sizes are the most deployed on active job sites. They lock tight, handle heavy payload, and get picked up and redelivered without any disassembly.

Schools & Education: Schools use 20ft and 40ft containers for sports equipment, seasonal supplies, and with proper modifications, as temporary classrooms, cafeteria overflow, and computer labs.

Events & Pop-Up Venues: The 40ft, 45ft, and 53ft containers have all been used as ticketing booths, vendor stands, green rooms, and indoor stages. The portability means you can take the same setup to a different event next weekend.

Farming & Agriculture: Farmers use 20ft and 30ft containers to store feed, equipment, and tools away from the elements. Container greenhouses built from 40ft or 53ft units are an increasingly popular innovation for year-round urban farming.

Mobile Offices: The 10ft guard shack, 20ft mobile office, and 40ft office conversion are all production units at Dry Box, ready with insulation, windows, and doors for immediate deployment to any job site or commercial property.

Why Shipping Container Measurements Matter Before You Order

Getting the size right before delivery saves real money. If a container arrives and won't fit through your gate, the delivery driver can't put it where you need it and you may be charged a redelivery fee.

Most standard delivery trucks carrying a container need at least 10 to 12 feet of width and 14 feet of overhead clearance on the approach path.

It's also worth thinking about the ground. Containers are placed on bare ground, gravel, or concrete, but they need a reasonably level surface.

A container placed on a significant slope will cause the doors to bind and water can pool inside. Dry Box's delivery team can advise on site prep for any container size before your order is confirmed.

Finally, consider the container size you need six months from now, not just today. A storage container that's 80% full on day one will be overflowing by spring. Ordering slightly larger up front is almost always cheaper than a second delivery and swap-out later.

Dry Box provides storage container rentals and new and used shipping containers for sale with professional modifications across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, and Florida. Call 360-262-0500 or visit DryBoxUSA.com to get your free quote today.

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