High cube shipping containers offer a spacious, effective, and secure solution for numerous storage needs. High cube shipping containers are defined by height, and have a little extra head room to maximize storage space for all types of items. Read on to learn all what high cube shipping containers are, and how they stack up against other types of containers. Shop high cube shipping containers now
Standard Shipping Containers vs. High Cube Shipping Containers
If you are shopping for a shipping container, you’re probably encountering different sets of dimensions.
20 ft. High Cube Shipping Container
The smallest option, at 20 ft. long, these shipping containers store a surprising amount while accommodating hurdles such as limited property space. These are only available in New/1-trip condition. These are not always available at every depot so please contact us if you do not see one close to you and we will see if we can find one closer to you.
40 ft. High Cube Shipping Container
These are our most commonly sold variety of 40’ containers due to their large size and affordable cost. If you have a lot of stuff to store, a 40’ High Cube is likely your best option. These are available at every depot across the country and are offered in New/1-Trip, Cargo Worthy and Wind & Watertight conditions.
45 ft. High Cube Shipping Container
Store and protect your goods with our largest High Cube shipping containers. Added height and length make this shipping container the largest container commonly available on the market. These are available in New/1-Trip, Cargo Worthy and Wind & Watertight conditions. These are not always available at every depot so please contact us if you do not see one close to you and we will see if we can find one closer to you.
You may see these containers listed online by the following names: sea containers, cargo containers, c cans, sea cans, steel containers, conex containers, railcar containers and metal containers. No matter what you call them, we can take care of your storage needs.
Whether buying or renting, we have a high cube shipping container that will accommodate your individual needs. To see more sizes and inventory options, see our entire selection of used and new shipping containers.
Note: Prices vary depending on your location.
What is a High Cube (HC) Shipping Container?
While these containers are available in sizes and layouts similar to any other standard sized container, high cube shipping containers are defined by their height.
A high cube shipping container or HC container is an intermodal storage container unit with an external height of 9ft. 6in.
That’s a 2,895.6 mm shipping container for the rest of the world.
Its added height gives owners and renters additional headspace and a convenient way to increase storage capacity by adding additional volume, without needing a longer container.
While this might be your first time hearing this term, we thought it would be helpful for you to examine high cube shipping containers vs. standard shipping containers so that you can better explore your container height size options.
As mentioned above, the main difference between a standard shipping container and a high cube shipping container is the height.
High cubes stand an additional foot above the 8ft. 6in. standard shipping container. This height difference also results in taller doors and some additional container weight.
High Cube Shipping Container Dimensions
What are the dimensions of a high cube container? Good question.
*(note that the exact internal and door dimensions can vary slightly by manufacturer and factory)
External Dimensions for Common High Cube Containers
What are the external dimensions for a high cube shipping container?
Here are the stats for that:
Height: 9’ 6”
Width: 8’
Length: 20’, 40’ or 45’
HC Container Door Opening
High cube container door opening dimensions are essential to learning if a HC container is the right fit for your needs.
The door width and height for a HC Container is:
Width: 7’ 8”
Height: 8’ 6”
Internal Dimensions of a High Cube Container
How big is a high cube container on the inside? There are some variations:
Height: 8’ 10” – Height varies slightly depending on floor type and material width
Width: 7’ 9”
Length: 20 ft – 19’ 4”; 40 ft. – 39’ 6”’
What is the Volume of a High Cube Shipping Container?
The space inside a high cube shipping container will be either 20 feet or 40 feet, with the following cubed square feet:
20 ft. High Cube Shipping Container Capacity (Volume): 1,317 ft. cubed
40 ft. High Cube Shipping Container (Volume): 2,700 ft. cubed
High Cube Shipping Container Weight
How much does a high cube shipping container weigh? To know the delivery options, transportation possibilities, as well as the payload, here are the specifications:
Tare Weight (Weight of the empty container): 20 ft. – 5,200 lbs.; 40 ft. – 8,600 lbs.
Payload (Weight the container can safely hold): ~ 20 ft. – 62, 000 lbs.; ~ 40 ft. – 62,900 lbs.
Comparison Chart: High Cube Shipping Containers vs. Standard Shipping Containers
If you’re comparing high cube and standard shipping containers, here’s a good comparison chart on the relevant measurements and features:
| High Cube Shipping Container Measurements | Standard Shipping Container Measurements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| External dimensions |
High Cube Shipping Container Measurements
Height: 9’ 6”
Width: 8’ Length: 20’, 40’ or 45’ |
Standard Shipping Container Measurements
Height: 8’ 6”
Width: 8’ Length: 20’, 40’ or 45’ |
||||
| Door opening |
High Cube Shipping Container Measurements
Height: 8’ 6”
Width: 7’ 8” |
Standard Shipping Container Measurements
Height: 8’ 6”
Width: 8’ |
||||
| Internal dimensions |
High Cube Shipping Container Measurements
Height: 8’ 10” – Height varies slightly depending on floor type and material width
Width: 7’ 9” Length: 20 ft – 19’ 4”; 40 ft. – 39’ 6” |
Standard Shipping Container Measurements
Height: 7’ 10”
Width: 7’ 9” Length: 20 ft. – 19’ 4”; 40 ft. – 39’ 6” |
||||
| Volume |
High Cube Shipping Container Measurements
20 ft. High Cube Shipping Container Capacity (Volume):
1,317 ft. cubed 40 ft. High Cube Shipping Container (Volume): 2,700 ft. cubed |
Standard Shipping Container Measurements
20 ft. Standard Shipping Container Volume:
~ 1,170 ft. cubed 40 ft. Standard Shipping Container Volume: ~ 2,390 ft. cubed |
||||
| Weights |
High Cube Shipping Container Measurements
Tare Weight (Weight of the empty container):
20 ft. – 5,200 lbs.; 40 ft. – 8,600 lbs. Payload (Weight the container can safely hold): ~ 20 ft. – 62, 000 lbs.; ~ 40 ft. – 62,900 lbs. |
Standard Shipping Container Measurements
Tare Weight (Weight of the empty container):
20 ft. – 5,200 lbs.; 40 ft. – 8,250 lbs. Payload (Weight the container can safely support): ~ 20 ft. – 62,000 lbs.; ~ 40 ft. – 63,400 lbs. |
||||
Price Difference: High Cube Shipping Containers vs Standard Shipping Containers
Your budget is an important factor in choosing the right storage or shipping container for you or your business. If all other variables are equal, standard sized shipping containers and high cube containers are relatively equal in price.
Prices for high cube containers will be a little higher to account for their weight and added volume but the difference is often fairly small.
*This is only true if you have done your homework to ensure that you are comparing containers with the same width, length, condition type, and delivered from the same location (or equal miles shipped).
How to Choose the Right Height Shipping Container
Now that you know the specs of the two most common shipping container heights, how do we choose between the two? Let’s answer a few FAQs about high cube shipping containers, providing guidance as you decide which shipping container will serve your needs.
Is Weight a Factor?
If your main concern for transporting or storing heavy items is weight, then the recommendation is to choose the shortest height and shortest length that will still allow you to fit all your belongings.
High Cube vs. Standard Shipping Container Use
Storage or shipping containers are used for many reasons, and there are many types of shipping containers.
Here are a couple of examples that might help you when choosing the type of container needed based on the unit’s intended use.
Storing Property
For those who plan to keep their shipping containers in their backyards to secure their belongings, or for temporary storage of goods, tools, and vehicles will most likely fit in an 8ft 6in standard container.
It’s best to choose a high cube versus standard shipping container based on how much you need that container to hold.
If you are looking to store taller items, or if you need added storage volume but your yard is unable to accommodate the extended length of a container, a high cube container may be just what you need.
Offices, Workspaces, or Shipping Container Homes
If you plan to work in the container space as a portable office building, or want to convert your container into a living space, we recommend 9’ 6” high cube containers. This will give you and anyone else utilizing that space additional comfort and headspace. You’ll thank us later.
Interested in learning more about setting up your home in a shipping container? See real-world examples: 10 Shipping Container Apartments.
ModuGo High Cube Containers
ModuGo high cube containers are a foot taller than a standard height container and give you extra space without exorbitant costs. We maintain a large inventory of high cube shipping containers to meet every storage need you have!
Interested in connecting with us directly? We’re always happy to help, and just a click or call away.