In order to maximise efficiency and cost-effectiveness, it is important that you choose the right shipping container dimensions and size for moving your product, produce or belongings. If your container is too big, you may find your things moving and shifting around, which could cause damage, while if your container is too small, you simply won’t be able to fit everything you need into it. Whether you are shipping products or simply storing them, finding the right shipping container size is crucial. In this article, Port Shipping Containers discusses how to go about choosing the right shipping container dimensions for your needs, while exploring the differences between internal and external sizes and why these are important.

Understanding Standard Shipping Container Sizes

Shipping containers come in a range of different sizes, which are tailored to suit different types of cargo. In order to have efficient logistics and cost management, you must first understand these sizes and which one is right for you. Continue reading below for a breakdown of the standard shipping container sizes.

  • 10-Foot Container: This is the smallest of the standard sizes, measuring 10 feet in length, 8 feet in width and 8.6 feet in height. This gives you a capacity of about 16 cubic metres. These containers are generally used for personal storage, or short-distance travel.
  • 20-Foot Container: These medium-sized containers measure 20 feet in length, 8 feet in width and 8.6 feet in height, resulting in 33 cubic metres of storage space. This makes it perfect for slightly larger shipments, such as small machinery and furniture.
  • 40-Foot Container: The largest of the standard measurements, this container is 40 feet in length with the same width and height as the 20-footer. These are commonly used for large shipments that go long distances, such as transporting vehicles, bulk goods and commercial products.

Internal and External Dimensions

When choosing your shipping container measurements, be sure to understand the difference between internal and external dimensions. Internal dimensions refer to the internal space for fitting cargo. This is generally represented by cubic metres. Alternatively, external dimensions refer to how much floor space the container will take up. Be sure to measure your available space and compare that to the external dimensions of the container. This will also affect the position in which you place your container. For example, if you are using a shipping container for a construction site office, be sure to look at the external dimensions before figuring out where to place it on-site, taking into account door access as well.

Future Considerations

As mentioned above, thinking about the standard shipping container sizes and which one is best for your needs has a huge effect on the safety of your cargo, as well as cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, if you are using it for something like a construction site office or an outdoor commercial kitchen, you will need to have a good grasp on shipping container dimensions and what they mean.

To explore shipping container sizes, contact us online today.