Whether you're buying a shipping container for storage, transportation, a jobsite office, or a custom modification project, selecting the right size is one of the most important decisions you'll make.
While 10ft, 20ft, 40ft, and high cube containers may appear similar at first glance, each offers unique advantages depending on your available space, storage requirements, and long-term goals. Interport offers a wide variety of container sizes and configurations, including standard, high cube, refrigerated, insulated, and double-door containers to fit virtually any application.
Shipping Container Sizes at a Glance
| Container Size |
Storage Volume |
Best For |
Primary Advantage |
| 10ft Standard |
680 cu. ft. |
Residential storage, tools, equipment |
Compact footprint |
| 20ft Standard |
1,170 cu. ft. |
General storage, construction, inventory |
Most versatile option |
| 20ft High Cube |
1,320 cu. ft. |
Taller equipment, offices, modifications |
Extra vertical space |
| 40ft Standard |
2,390 cu. ft. |
Industrial storage, logistics, warehousing |
High capacity |
| 40ft High Cube |
2,700 cu. ft. |
Large conversions, maximum storage |
Largest available volume |
10ft Shipping Containers
Best For:
- Residential storage
- Small businesses
- Equipment storage
- Construction sites with limited space
- Seasonal inventory
The
10-foot shipping container is the smallest standard container offered by Interport and is ideal when space is limited. It provides secure, weather-resistant storage with a compact 10-foot by 8-foot exterior footprint—comparable to a small storage shed and approximately half the size of a one-car garage. This smaller size makes it a practical choice for locations where larger containers are impractical.
For homeowners, contractors, and businesses a 10ft storage container is a durable alternative to a traditional shed for storing tools, equipment, and seasonal inventory
Quick Specs
- Storage Volume: 680 cubic feet
- Payload Capacity: 19,530 lbs
- Exterior Size: 10' x 8' x 8'6"
20ft Shipping Containers
Best For:
- Business inventory
- Jobsite storage
- Equipment and machinery
- Shipping applications
- Workshops and container offices
If you're unsure which size container you need, a 20-foot container is often the safest choice.
The
20ft container is the industry's most versatile option because it balances storage capacity, delivery flexibility, and affordability. Equivalent to a single-car garage, it offers nearly double the storage space of a 10ft container while remaining manageable for most commercial and industrial sites.
Quick Specs
- Storage Volume: 1,170 cubic feet
- Payload Capacity: 62,550 lbs
- Exterior Size: 20' x 8' x 8'6"
Available Options
Depending on your project requirements, 20ft containers are available in:
20ft High Cube Containers
Best For:
- Container offices
- Retail conversions
- Taller equipment
- Shelving systems
- Modified container projects
A
20ft high cube container provides the same footprint as a standard 20ft container but adds approximately one foot of additional height.
That extra foot can make a significant difference when installing shelving, HVAC systems, insulation, lighting, or interior finishes. For many custom container projects, high cube containers provide a more comfortable and flexible interior environment.
Quick Specs
- Storage Volume: 1,320 cubic feet
- Payload Capacity: 62,460 lbs
- Exterior Size: 20' x 8' x 9'6"
40ft Shipping Containers
Best For:
- Industrial storage
- Logistics operations
- Manufacturing facilities
- Equipment staging
- Long-term inventory storage
When storage volume becomes the priority, a 40ft shipping container delivers exceptional value.
The
40-foot standard container offers more than twice the storage space of a 20ft container, with space the size of a two-car garage. This makes it a popular choice for large businesses, contractors, transportation companies, and industrial facilities.
Quick Specs
- Storage Volume: 2,390 cubic feet
- Payload Capacity: 59,860 lbs
- Exterior Size: 40' x 8' x 8'6"
Available Options
40ft containers are available as:
40ft High Cube Containers
Best For:
- Maximum storage capacity
- Container buildings
- Mobile offices
- Warehousing
- Large-scale modifications
The
40ft high cube container combines the length of a 40ft container with the additional height of a high cube design.
This is one of the most popular choices for customers planning container modifications because it provides both substantial square footage and additional headroom.
With approximately 2,700 cubic feet of storage volume, it is the largest container option commonly used across commercial and industrial applications.
Quick Specs
- Storage Volume: 2,700 cubic feet
- Payload Capacity: 63,820 lbs
- Exterior Size: 40' x 8' x 9'6"
Available Options
Standard vs. High Cube Containers
One of the most common questions buyers ask is whether a high cube container is worth the additional investment.
| Feature |
Standard Container |
High Cube Container |
| Exterior Height |
8'6" |
9'6" |
| Interior Headroom |
Standard |
Approximately 1 foot taller |
| Storage Capacity |
Lower |
Higher |
| Best For |
General storage |
Conversions and bulky cargo |
Is a High Cube Container Worth It?
For many applications, the answer is yes.
The additional height provides more usable storage space, improved clearance for equipment, and greater flexibility for office, retail, workshop, and specialty container conversions.
What Shipping Container Size Do I Need?
Choose a 10ft Container If:
- Space is limited
- You need tool or equipment storage
- You're looking for residential storage
- You need less than 700 cubic feet of capacity
Choose a 20ft Container If:
- You need general-purpose storage
- You're storing inventory or materials
- You're operating a construction site
- You want the most versatile container size
Choose a 40ft Container If:
- You need maximum storage
- You're storing large equipment
- You have ample site space
- You want the lowest storage cost per cubic foot
Choose a High Cube Container If:
- You need extra headroom
- You're planning a container conversion
- You're storing oversized materials
- You want the maximum usable interior space
Download our complete container product list
Complete Shipping Container Dimensions Chart
| Container |
Exterior (L × W × H) |
Interior (L × W × H) |
Door Opening (W × H) |
| 10ft Standard |
10' × 8' × 8'6" |
9'2" × 7'7" × 7'8" |
7'6" × 7'4" |
| 20ft Standard |
20' × 8' × 8'6" |
19'4" × 7'6" × 7'10" |
7'8" × 7'6" |
| 20ft High Cube |
20' × 8' × 9'6" |
19'4" × 7'6" × 8'8" |
7'8" × 8'4" |
| 40ft Standard |
40' × 8' × 8'6" |
39'5" × 7'8" × 7'10" |
7'8" × 7'6" |
| 40ft High Cube |
40' × 8' × 9'6" |
39'5" × 7'6" × 8'8" |
7'8" × 8'4" |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular shipping container size?
The 20ft shipping container is generally the most versatile option because it balances storage capacity, transportation flexibility, and site accessibility.
What shipping container offers the most storage space?
A 40ft high cube container offers approximately 2,700 cubic feet of storage space, making it one of the largest standard container options available.
What is the difference between a standard container and a high cube container?
A high cube container is approximately one foot taller than a standard container, providing additional storage capacity and interior headroom.
Can shipping containers be customized?
Yes. Shipping containers can be modified with insulation, HVAC systems, electrical systems, shelving, windows, doors, security features, and interior finishes to support a wide range of commercial and industrial uses.
Find the Right Shipping Container for Your Needs
Whether you need a compact 10ft container, a versatile 20ft container, or a high-capacity 40ft high cube container, understanding the differences in size, capacity, and functionality will help you choose the best solution for your project.
Interport offers one of the Northeast's largest inventories of new, used, and custom-built shipping containers, including standard, refrigerated, insulated, double-door, open-top, and high cube configurations.
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