Shipping Container Sizes and Dimensions

How big is a shipping container?

Shipping containers are built to ISO sizes so they stack, lock and travel on any ship, train or truck. The two sizes you see everywhere are the 20ft and the 40ft. Both are 2,438 mm wide and 2,591 mm high on the outside. A high cube version adds 305 mm of height, taking the outside to 2,896 mm.

AAD Logistics also sells smaller units for sites where a 20ft will not fit. The 6ft, 8ft, 10ft and 12ft sizes cover tool storage, backyard storage and compact site sheds. This guide lists every size we stock with external and internal dimensions, cubic capacity, tare weight and payload.

All measurements below are metric. External sizes for ISO containers are fixed by the standard. Internal sizes, volumes and weights vary slightly between manufacturers, so treat those as typical and confirm on the product page before you order.

External dimensions by size

External dimensions decide whether a container fits on your block, through a gate or under a carport. Measure the space, then add clearance for the delivery truck. See preparing your site for container delivery for the truck side of the equation.

Size	Length (mm)	Width (mm)	Height (mm)	Notes
6ft mini	1,980 (approx.)	2,100 (approx.)	2,260 (approx.)	Non-ISO storage size
8ft	2,500 (approx.)	2,200 (approx.)	2,260 (approx.)	Non-ISO storage size
10ft	2,991	2,438	2,591	ISO size
10ft high cube	2,991	2,438	2,896	ISO size, extra height
12ft storage	3,658 (approx.)	2,438	2,591	Personnel door and window
20ft	6,058	2,438	2,591	ISO size
20ft high cube	6,058	2,438	2,896	ISO size, extra height
40ft	12,192	2,438	2,591	ISO size
40ft high cube	12,192	2,438	2,896	ISO size, extra height

The 20ft double door, 20ft open side and their high cube versions share the standard 20ft external footprint. The same applies to the 40ft high cube double door and open side. Only the door arrangement changes, not the box.

Internal dimensions and usable space

Corrugated walls, the floor and the roof take up room. Internal width on a 20ft or 40ft is approximately 2,352 mm, and internal height is approximately 2,393 mm on a standard unit. The door opening is narrower again, so check the product page if you need to fit a wide item through the doors.

Size	Internal length (mm)	Internal width (mm)	Internal height (mm)	Volume (approx.)
6ft mini	see product page	see product page	see product page	7.5 m³
8ft	see product page	see product page	see product page	10.2 m³
10ft	see product page	2,352 (approx.)	2,393 (approx.)	15.5 m³
20ft	5,898 (approx.)	2,352 (approx.)	2,393 (approx.)	33 m³
20ft high cube	5,898 (approx.)	2,352 (approx.)	approx. 2,393 plus 305	37 m³
40ft	12,032 (approx.)	2,352 (approx.)	2,393 (approx.)	67 m³
40ft high cube	12,032 (approx.)	2,352 (approx.)	approx. 2,393 plus 305	76 m³

Internal length on a 20ft is about 5.9 m, which fits a standard car with the doors closed. A 40ft gives about 12 m, enough for two cars end to end or a long run of pallet racking. The container garages keep the 20ft footprint and replace one end with a sectional door.

Tare weight and payload

Tare is the weight of the empty container. It matters for two reasons. The delivery truck has to lift it, and any footing you build has to carry it plus whatever you store inside.

• 20ft: tare approx. 2,200 kg, payload up to approx. 28,000 kg.
• 40ft: tare approx. 3,800 kg.
• 40ft high cube: tare approx. 3,900 kg.

Payload figures come from the CSC plate and apply to sea transport. On a site you will rarely get near them. A 20ft loaded with household goods is usually well under a quarter of its rated payload. Weight is more likely to matter if you store machinery, steel or dense materials on one side of the floor.

Used containers carry the same plate ratings as new ones, but AAD sells used units as Wind and Watertight rather than Cargo Worthy. Read WWT vs Cargo Worthy grades before you rely on a used unit for export.

Standard height vs high cube

A high cube is exactly 305 mm taller than a standard container, inside and out. That is the only difference. Length, width, door width and tare are close to identical. The extra height turns a 20ft from approximately 33 m³ into approximately 37 m³ and a 40ft from approximately 67 m³ into approximately 76 m³.

Choose a high cube when you plan to fit racking, park a vehicle with roof bars, or convert the unit into an office or workshop with a lined ceiling. Choose standard height when overhead clearance on the delivery path is tight, or when the container needs to sit under an existing roof. The standard vs high cube guide goes into the trade-offs in detail.

6ft, 8ft, 10ft and 12ft containers

Not every site has 6 m of straight run for a 20ft. The smaller sizes solve that.

• 6ft mini (approx. 1,980 × 2,100 × 2,260 mm, 7.5 m³): tools, chemicals, sports gear. Fits in a single car space.
• 8ft (approx. 2,500 × 2,200 × 2,260 mm, 10.2 m³): a step up for garden equipment and trade stock.
• 10ft and 10ft high cube (2,991 × 2,438 mm): a true ISO size with lockable double doors. Suits townhouse blocks and tight side access.
• 12ft storage container (approx. 3,658 mm long): built with a personnel door and window rather than double doors, so it works as a store room you walk into.

All four are delivered on a tilt tray. Browse them in small shipping containers and compare with the larger sizes in 10ft vs 20ft vs 40ft.

Will it fit on my block?

Work through these checks before you order.

1. Measure the final position. Allow the external length plus at least 500 mm at each end for door swing and airflow.
2. Measure the path from the street. Gates, fences, retaining walls and trees all count.
3. Check overhead. Power lines, eaves and branches must clear the truck with the container raised on the tilt tray.
4. Check the ground. It needs to be firm, level and able to carry the container plus contents.
5. Check with your local council about placement rules for your property type.

A typical tilt tray needs a straight run of about 2.5 times the container length plus the truck. A 40ft usually arrives on a side loader or semi trailer instead, which needs clear space along one side. Our delivery guide explains each vehicle.

Which size should I buy?

Match the container to the job, not the other way round.

Use	Suggested size	Why
Garden tools, bikes, camping gear	6ft or 8ft	Small footprint, low cost
Trade stock, townhouse storage	10ft	ISO size, fits tight access
Walk-in store room on a site	12ft storage	Personnel door and window
Household move, farm shed, workshop	20ft or 20ft HC	Most versatile, easy to deliver
Forklift or side loading of pallets	20ft open side	Full side opening
Vehicle garage	20ft or 20ft HC garage	Sectional door, extra headroom on HC
Bulk storage, two vehicles, long racking	40ft or 40ft HC	Twice the volume of a 20ft

See the full range at shipping containers for sale. Prices are in AUD and include 10% GST. If you are unsure between two sizes, contact us with a photo of the site and we will advise on fit and delivery.