Shipping containers are the backbone of global trade, transporting goods across the world’s oceans. While they may look similar from afar, these steel boxes come in various sizes to accommodate different needs. At OZBOX, we have containers available both for sale and hire in a variety of sizes for a diverse range of applications, from shipping to storage, home offices to retail stores. Understanding the capacity of each of these containers and their potential uses is the key to understanding the type and size of shipping container that is right for you.
Let’s explore the most common shipping container sizes and their dimensions, along with their typical uses.
20ft Containers – The Industry Workhorse
The 20ft container is the standard sized shipping container and one of the most commonly used containers in the world. Although the first shipping containers were seen as early as the 1930s, shipping container sizes weren’t standardised by the International Standards Committee until 1961, at which point, containers like the 20ft container became more prolific. The great advantage of shipping containers was that they enabled the easy loading of goods with limited damage in transit and robust and reliable security.
Today, 20ft containers are made to worldwide standardised dimensions:
Dimensions:
- Length: 6,058 mm (20 feet)
- Width: 2,438 mm (8 feet)
- Height: 2,591 mm (8 feet 6 inches)
- Weight: 2,060 kg
- Payload capacity: 28,420 kg
What are 20ft Containers used for?
20ft shipping containers are used in freight for the transport of goods. Each container can fit approximately 10 pallets with each pallet typically holding 60 boxes. This means each 20ft shipping container can amazingly hold up to 600 boxes of goods, a clear indication of just how efficient they are. Interestingly, this also equates to 400 flat-screen TVs, 24,000 tin cans or 48,000 bananas.
Besides freight, they are also commonly used for long-term storage by businesses with surplus goods or additional capacity demands. They are also frequently used for container modification as living spaces, offices spaces, pop-up cafes and kiosks, retail shops and more.
The 20-foot container is the most widely used size in the shipping industry. Its versatility makes it ideal for various applications:
- Freight transport: Can hold approximately 10 pallets or 600 boxes
- Business storage: Perfect for surplus goods or additional inventory
- Container modifications: Commonly used for living spaces, offices, and pop-up shops
40ft Containers – Maximum Capacity
The 40ft container is another very common sized shipping container and together with the 20ft container make up the overwhelming majority of containers in circulation today. As the name suggests, they’re twice as long as the 20ft shipping container which means twice the capacity. The additional capacity allows producers to obviously fit more goods while at the same time, making it more cost-effective. This is because it’s cheaper to ship one 40ft container than it is to ship two 20ft containers.
40ft containers dimensions:
- Length: 12,200 mm (40 feet)
- Width: 2,438 mm (8 feet)
- Height: 2,591 mm (8 feet 6 inches)
- Weight: 3,510 kg
- Payload capacity: 26,970 kg
What are 40ft Containers used for?
40ft shipping containers are primarily used by manufacturers and producers of goods, shipping large numbers of products across the world. Each 40ft container can fit approximately 20 pallets with 60 boxes per pallet. This makes a grand total of 1,200 boxes. It is also a popular option for vehicles with 2 – 4 cars able to be secured in a 40ft shipping container.
40ft Containers are also used in modification in larger projects like container homes and residences, site offices, bars, restaurants and retail spaces.
The 40-foot container offers double the capacity of its 20-foot counterpart, making it a cost-effective choice for large shipments
- Large-scale manufacturing shipments: Can accommodate about 20 pallets or 1,200 boxes
- Vehicle transport: Fits 2-4 cars securely
- Container homes and larger commercial spaces
10ft Containers
The 10ft shipping container was actually one of the earliest and most frequently deployed shipping containers starting in the 1930s before 20ft and 40ft became the preferred choice. They have half the capacity of a 20ft container and are more frequently used for private and personal use, for example, for individuals shipping personal possessions from one country to another.
Dimensions:
- Length: 3,029 mm (10 feet)
- Width: 2,438 mm (8 feet)
- Height: 2,591 mm (8 feet 6 inches)
- Weight: 1,255 kg
- Payload capacity: 8,095 kg
What are 10ft Containers used for?
As just mentioned, 10ft containers are frequently used by individuals shipping personal possessions from one country to another who would otherwise be unable to completely fill a 20ft container to capacity. You can fit approximately 300 boxes of goods in a 10ft container which is usually more than enough for this task.
10ft containers have also become very popular in container modification as pop-up kiosks in street fairs, events and festivals. Businesses also used them as temporary storage units during peak seasons of trade.
The 10-foot container is perfect for smaller shipments and personal use
- Personal international moves: Holds approximately 300 boxes
- Pop-up kiosks at events and festivals
- Temporary storage during peak business seasons
8ft Containers
The 8ft shipping container is the smallest type of shipping container with an interesting history as one that was used extensively by the US Military in the 1940s. These days it is seen as more of a niche product for private storage, easily transportable with a low footprint while providing ample room for personal belongings.
Dimensions:
- Length: 2,488 mm (8 feet 2 inches)
- Width: 2,200 mm (7 feet 3 inches)
- Height: 2,260 mm (7 feet 5 inches)
- Weight: 950 kg
- Payload capacity: 5,050 kg
What are 8ft Containers used for?
These days, 8ft containers are mostly used for personal storage. Their smaller dimensions make them perfect for the suburban house or lifestyle property as they can easily fit at the end of a driveway or in the garden somewhere. Garden equipment, tools, potting mix, sports and leisure equipment can all be safely stored away with plenty of room to spare. Like 10ft containers, they are also used in container modifications as information booths, portable cafes, stands for trades fairs etc.
The smallest standard container size, the 8-foot container is ideal for:
- Personal storage in residential areas
- Garden equipment and tool storage
- Small-scale container modifications like information booths or portable cafes
High Cube Containers
High cube containers are different from the containers mentioned previously as they are not a variation of length but a variation of height. Instead of being 2,591 mm in height as a standard, they are 2,896 mm tall or approximately 1ft taller. Both 20ft high cube and 40ft high cube containers are available as high cube shipping containers giving you more space and volume for storage.
For example, a 20ft high cube container has a volume of 37.4m³ compared to a standard 20ft container which has a volume of 33.2m³
What are High Cube Containers used for?
High cube containers are particularly useful for companies shipping bulk goods as the extra capacity allows them to achieve better margins on their freight. This is very beneficial for large quantities of smaller sized goods like electronics, merchandise and other non-perishables. High Cube Containers are also used to transport oversized items that don’t fit in standard-sized containers like some vehicles and machinery.
Additional Height:
- Standard container height: 2,591 mm (8 feet 6 inches)
- High cube container height: 2,896 mm (9 feet 6 inches)
High cube containers are particularly useful for:
- Shipping bulky goods that require extra vertical space
- Transporting oversized items like vehicles or machinery
- Maximizing volume for shipments of smaller goods like electronics or merchandise
Choosing the Right Container Size
When selecting a shipping container size, consider:
- The volume and weight of goods to be transported or stored
- The available space at your location
- Transportation requirements and costs
- Potential for future expansion or modification
By understanding the dimensions and capacities of different shipping container sizes, you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs, whether for international shipping, storage, or creative repurposing projects.
