An intermodal container (also known as freight container, ISO container, shipping container) is a standardized reusable steel box used to store and move materials and products efficiently and securely in the global containerized intermodal freight transport system. Intermodal indicates that the container can be used across various modes of transport (from ship to rail to truck) without unloading and reloading its contents. Lengths of containers vary from 8 to 56 feet and heights from 8 to 9.5 feet.
The standard ones are typically 20, 40 and 45 feet in length and height of 8.5 feet or 9.5 feet (called high-cube).
Apart from the containers shown below there are other containers like:
- Garmentainers (GOH) for shipping garments on hangers
- High-cube palletwide containers, for Euro-pallet compatibility
For more detailed information on which containers are used for what goods look at this CMA CGM Group container brochure
Please note that each shipping line has its own container dimensions and the table below is a general guideline shown only for academic purposes. The dimensions will not greatly vary from what is shown here but for specific requirements relating to a shipping line, please check the actual dimensions with that shipping line.





20′ container | 40′ container | 40′ high-cube container | 45′ high-cube container | ||||||
imperial | metric | imperial | metric | imperial | metric | imperial | metric | ||
external dimensions | length | 20′ 0″ | 6.058 m | 40′ 0″ | 12.192 m | 40′ 0″ | 12.192 m | 45′ 0″ | 13.716 m |
width | 8′ 0″ | 2.438 m | 8′ 0″ | 2.438 m | 8′ 0″ | 2.438 m | 8′ 0″ | 2.438 m | |
height | 8′ 6″ | 2.591 m | 8′ 6″ | 2.591 m | 9′ 6″ | 2.896 m | 9′ 6″ | 2.896 m | |
interior dimensions | length | 18′ 8 13⁄16″ | 5.710 m | 39′ 5 45⁄64″ | 12.032 m | 39′ 4″ | 12.000 m | 44′ 4″ | 13.556 m |
width | 7′ 8 19⁄32″ | 2.352 m | 7′ 8 19⁄32″ | 2.352 m | 7′ 7″ | 2.311 m | 7′ 8 19⁄32″ | 2.352 m | |
height | 7′ 9 57⁄64″ | 2.385 m | 7′ 9 57⁄64″ | 2.385 m | 8′ 9″ | 2.650 m | 8′ 9 15⁄16″ | 2.698 m | |
door aperture | width | 7′ 8 ⅛″ | 2.343 m | 7′ 8 ⅛″ | 2.343 m | 7′ 6″ | 2.280 m | 7′ 8 ⅛″ | 2.343 m |
height | 7′ 5 ¾″ | 2.280 m | 7′ 5 ¾″ | 2.280 m | 8′ 5″ | 2.560 m | 8′ 5 49⁄64″ | 2.585 m | |
internal volume | 1,169 ft³ | 33.1 m³ | 2,385 ft³ | 67.5 m³ | 2,660 ft³ | 75.3 m³ | 3,040 ft³ | 86.1 m³ | |
maximum gross weight | 66,139 lb | 30,400 kg | 66,139 lb | 30,400 kg | 68,008 lb | 30,848 kg | 66,139 lb | 30,400 kg | |
empty weight | 4,850 lb | 2,200 kg | 8,380 lb | 3,800 kg | 8,598 lb | 3,900 kg | 10,580 lb | 4,800 kg | |
net load | 61,289 lb | 28,200 kg | 57,759 lb | 26,600 kg | 58,598 lb | 26,580 kg | 55,559 lb | 25,600 kg |