Rare conex box shipping container sizes include the 10 ft and 53 ft containers. Due to a smaller secondary market for these sizes, they can be very costly when available. The 10 ft container is often used for smaller shipments or specialized freight, while the 53 ft container is an extra-long option for larger loads.

Customers looking for a 10 ft container will find that a 20 ft container, which is twice the size, typically costs less than a 10 ft unit. For those seeking a larger container than the 40 ft, it may be more cost-effective to purchase two 40 ft containers. This often results in a much lower cost per square foot compared to a 53 ft unit.

We understand that some customers may require a smaller 10 ft container due to space limitations, and we are here to help you find the right solution for your needs.

Shipping containers are often referred to as Conex boxes or ISO containers. They're all referring to the same type of steel container used for shipping goods internationally or domestically. All shipping containers are made to the same specifications per the International Shipping Organization (ISO) Standards with the same type of steel, thickness, structural beam to insure uniformity between all shipping container manufactures worldwide.

These containers are built to last. The primary material used to build an ISO shipping container is Cor-ten steel, also known as “weathering steel”. Cor-ten steel is a corrosion-resistant steel that is used in many industries where exposed steel is in harsh conditions. They also feature continuously welded steel framing to support an incredible amount of weight. The size of shipping container you choose does not change the core structural materials.

Here are the dimensions of the materials used to make shipping containers:

Deciphering the interior square footage within standard shipping containers clarifies how much floor space you'll have for your projects or storage. Square footage is another way to understand shipping container size without memorizing every shipping container measurement. As mentioned earlier, the inside dimensions of a shipping container are smaller than the exterior dimensions due to the space that the conex box walls and framing take up. Here's the essential square footage info:

Buying a shipping container requires understanding the cubic footage of different shipping container sizes. It helps in selecting the right unit for your storage, shipping or building needs. Here's a quick rundown of exterior and interior cubic footage of shipping containers:

Should I buy standard sized shipping containers or a high cube container?

Shipping container dimensions are fairly simple to understand, as the only thing that really changes is the length of the shipping container, or the height if you're looking into high cube containers.

High Cube containers are a foot taller than standard shipping containers at 9.5 feet tall versus 8.5 feet tall.

High Cube containers are our best sellers because many people prefer more head space in container build projects, or they need storage space that can be stacked high. For many customers, the standard shipping container size is ideal, while others appreciate the extra headroom of a High Cube.

Embarking on a project that involves a shipping container means unlocking endless possibilities, whether for storage, transport, or innovative architecture. Choosing the right size is crucial, and here's how you can navigate this decision.

First, pinpoint your project's specific needs. For straightforward storage or transport, a standard 20-foot container might suffice. They're ideal for storage sheds, cabins, pop-up shops, or a shipping container garage.This container size works well when you need a balance of cost, space, and mobility.

However, if you're dreaming bigger—like  constructing a container home, a container office,   or a spacious art studio—a 40-foot container provides double the space, making it suitable for such ambitious projects. Its ample room is perfect for a chic, modern dwelling or a dynamic work environment.

For projects needing extra height, high-cube containers are perfect. They're a favorite for carports, commercial spaces, or tiny homes, offering that much-needed headroom or loft space. The size of shipping container you select depends on your layout, access, and budget.

Navigating the world of shipping can be a bit like learning a new language, especially when it comes to understanding all the jargon. Let's break down some of that heavyweight lingo—specifically tare, payload, and gross mass—so you can feel like the captain of your shipping endeavors!

First off, "tare weight" is just a fancy term for how much an empty container weighs. Different shipping container sizes and shipping container dimensions come with different tare weights.

The "payload" is the total weight of the cargo you can safely pack into your container. 40 foot containers can be loaded with up to 63,000 lbs of weight and stacked 10 high. That is why they are so useful for building multi-story homes, apartment buildings, and college dorms. Here are the precise payload capacities for every shipping container size.

20 foot Standard shipping containers are some of the most common shipping containers available for purchase and for freight and storage. 20 ft shipping containers have a length of 20 feet, a height of 8'6", and a width of 8 feet. Internally, their dimensions are 19'5" long, 7'8" wide, and 7'9" high. Their gross weight is 4,500 lbs. The door opening is 7'8" wide and 7'5" tall. Their square footage is 160 sq ft on the outside and around 150 sq ft on the inside. The cubic footage of storage space in a 20 ft Standard container is approximately 1,360 cubic feet on the exterior. If you are focused on shipping container width and door width, these measurements help answer how wide is a shipping container for loading and unloading.  Get an instant quote on 20 ft standard containers.

40 foot shipping containers are the most often used as freight shipping containers for big businesses trading overseas. The shipping container dimensions for a 40 ft container are 40 ft long, 8'6" high, and 8 feet wide. Internally, these dimensions are 39" long, 7'8" wide, and 7'9" high. They have a gross weight of 8,500 lbs. The door opening is 7'8" wide and 7'5" tall. Their square footage is 320 sq ft on the outside and 300 sq ft on the inside. The cubic footage of storage space in a 40 ft Standard container is approximately 2,720 cubic feet on the exterior. See 40 ft shipping containers for sale if you need a larger shipping container size for your project.

40 foot High Cube containers offer higher ceilings and more cubic footage of storage than standard 40 footers. The dimensions for a 40 ft High Cube container are 40 ft long, 9'6" high, and 8 feet wide. Internally, these dimensions are 39" long, 7'8" wide, and 8'9" high. They have a gross weight of 8,750 lbs. The door opening is 7'8" wide and 8'5" tall. Their square footage is 320 sq ft on the outside and around 300 sq ft on the inside. The cubic footage of storage space in a 40 ft High Cube container is approximately 3,040 cubic feet on the exterior. See40 ft High Cube container for sale if you want more height without changing the container size footprint.

Container One offers a variety of modified shipping containers in various sizes that are perfect for a range of uses, from secure storage to custom projects. These modified containers are available in sizes such as 10 ft, 20 ft, and 40 ft, and can be tailored to suit your specific needs. They are ideal for businesses, homes, or farms that require secure and versatile storage or specialized space for different applications.

Each of our container units come with features, such as windows, doors, insulation, or electrical setups, making them suitable for both storage and unique projects. If you want to customize your container further, we provide flexible options to meet your needs.

For more information on our modified containers, visit our collection page here.

Container One also sells brand new portable storage containers in sizes of 8 ft, 12 ft, 16 ft and 20 ft that are ideal for self storage, moving or keeping job-site materials safe. 'Foot' refers to the length of the container. Here are the exact dimensions for storage containers: