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A 40 foot shipping container, also written as 40ft or 40 ft shipping container, is the largest standard ISO container size widely available in the US market. It offers nearly double the internal floor area and cubic capacity of a 20ft unit, which is why it’s the preferred choice whenever storage volume or usable floor space is the main priority. This page covers the exact specs, the most common use cases, how 40ft standard and 40ft high cube versions compare, pricing by condition, and how to find a 40ft shipping container for sale near you.
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Standard and high cube 40ft containers in every common grade, plus refrigerated and open top units. Starting prices are taken from current inventory at US depots.
Depot prices updated October 2026Extra foot of height for racking and bulky goods, at used container prices.
As-new high cube with clean paint and floors. The first choice for container homes, offices and long term use.
Twice the floor space of a 20ft at a lower price per square foot. Great for business stock and farm storage.
Higher grade used high cube with fewer dents. A smart pick for conversions on a budget.
Working refrigeration unit for chilled or frozen goods. Ask for a recent pre-trip inspection report.
Tarp roof for loading from above by crane or forklift. Built for machinery, timber and tall materials.
Starting prices at the depot, based on current inventory at major US container depots. Delivery, sales tax and local fees are extra and depend on your ZIP code. Your supplier confirms the final price in your quote.
See all containers and pricesThe 40ft shipping container is the largest standard ISO container size widely available in the US market. It offers nearly double the internal floor area and cubic capacity of a 20ft unit, which is why it’s the preferred choice whenever storage volume, usable floor space, or project scale is the main priority. This page covers the full specifications, what 40ft containers are most commonly used for, how standard and high cube versions compare, what drives pricing, and how to find qualified suppliers in your region.
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A standard 40ft shipping container is manufactured to ISO 668 dimensions, the international standard that ensures containers stack and transport consistently across sea, rail, and road networks worldwide. The two most common variants in the US market are the 40ft standard and the 40ft high cube, which share the same footprint but differ in internal height. The 40ft container dimensions below cover external, internal, door opening, weight, and cubic capacity for both variants. To check a unit yourself, our guide on how to measure shipping container dimensions shows where to measure and which tolerances are normal.
| Measurement | External | Internal |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 40′ 0″ (12.19 m) | 39′ 5″ (12.03 m) |
| Width | 8′ 0″ (2.44 m) | 7′ 8″ (2.35 m) |
| Height (Standard) | 8′ 6″ (2.59 m) | 7′ 10″ (2.39 m) |
| Height (High Cube) | 9′ 6″ (2.90 m) | 8′ 10″ (2.70 m) |
| Door opening width | – | 7′ 8″ (2.34 m) |
| Door opening height (Standard) | – | 7′ 5″ (2.28 m) |
| Door opening height (High Cube) | – | 8′ 5″ (2.57 m) |
| Tare weight (Standard) | 7,825 lbs (3,550 kg) | – |
| Tare weight (High Cube) | 8,160 lbs (3,700 kg) | – |
| Max gross weight | 71,650 lbs (32,500 kg) | – |
| Max payload (Standard) | 63,824 lbs (28,950 kg) | – |
| Max payload (High Cube) | 63,490 lbs (28,800 kg) | – |
| Cubic capacity (Standard) | – | 2,390 cu ft (67.7 m³) |
| Cubic capacity (High Cube) | – | 2,698 cu ft (76.4 m³) |
Both variants share the same floor footprint of approximately 302 square feet. The high cube adds one foot of external height and roughly 12 inches of internal clearance, useful for stacked storage, taller cargo, and modifications where ceiling insulation eats into headroom. Note on payload: the values above reflect ISO 668 container specifications. In US road transport, the practical maximum cargo weight is typically lower, commonly around 44,000 lbs on standard trailer chassis, due to federal and state gross vehicle weight limits. For international sea freight, the full ISO payload applies.
Use Cases
The 40 foot shipping container is the workhorse of commercial and industrial storage in the US. With roughly 300 square feet of floor area and 2,390 cubic feet of internal volume, it comfortably holds pallets, racked inventory, machinery, and bulk supplies. The cost-per-cubic-foot is the lowest of any standard container size, which is why buyers comparing storage options by capacity almost always land on a 40ft unit.
The 40ft high cube is the default structural shell for modern container
home and accessory dwelling unit builds. The additional foot of ceiling
height leaves room for insulation, HVAC ducting, and a finished interior
while preserving livable headroom. Two 40ft HCs side-by-side create a
comfortable 600-square-foot living footprint.
With electrical fit-out, insulation, and window cutouts, a 40ft container
converts into a generous workshop, creative studio, or multi-zone jobsite
office. The longer footprint allows for separated work and storage areas,
something a 20ft simply doesn’t fit.
Insulated and reefer-equipped 40ft units are the industry standard for
mobile cold storage, food service operations, and pharmaceutical logistics.
The larger volume makes the insulation-to-capacity ratio more efficient
than a 20ft equivalent, lowering energy costs per cubic foot of storage.
The 40ft is the global benchmark for international sea freight, the
container size against which most ocean shipping is priced and scheduled.
For US exporters, Cargo Worthy (CW) rated 40ft units are the standard
specification for export consolidation, LCL shipping, and full-container
loads.
Base 40ft shipping container prices in the US market typically fall into
three bands (container only, delivery quoted separately):
The price premium for a 40ft over a 20ft is typically smaller than buyers
expect, which makes the 40ft the strongest volume-for-dollar option in the
US market. Buyers looking to buy a 40ft shipping container near a major
port (Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, Miami, Savannah, Seattle) generally
see the broadest stock and lowest delivery costs. 40ft delivery requires
a longer trailer than 20ft, which typically adds $200–$500 to transport
compared to an equivalent 20ft haul.
For the full breakdown across all sizes and conditions, see our
US shipping container price guide.
To understand what drives total cost beyond the container itself, see our
shipping container cost factors overview.
New or used
US-Wide Supplier Network
Single-voyage container in near-factory condition
Ideal for container homes, modifications, and customer-facing projects
Can be supplied with factory lockbox, vents, and reinforced flooring
Available in multiple factory colors, also standard in 40ft high cube
Premium pricing, typically 40-70% above used equivalents
Choose your grade: Cargo Worthy (CW), Wind & Water Tight (WWT), or As-Is
Ideal for bulk storage, site use, and budget-driven projects
Expect cosmetic wear, surface rust, and minor dents depending on grade
Significantly lower entry price, fully customizable post-sale
Most widely available grade in the US used market, especially 40ft HC
No Fees No Obligation
The 40ft and 20ft are the two dominant ISO container sizes in the US market, and each suits a different set of use cases. Choose a 40ft when internal floor area, cubic capacity, or project scale is the priority and when your site has at least 100 feet of straight-line delivery clearance. Choose a 20ft when placement flexibility, tighter site access, simpler transport, or a lower entry budget are the deciding factors. Our guide to shipping container sizes compares every length by use case.
A practical rule of thumb: two 40ft containers give you more storage volume at a lower per-cubic-foot cost than four 20ft units, but a 20ft is far easier to place on constrained lots, move between sites, and resell later. For most commercial and modification projects, the 40ft wins on economics; for residential, rural, and access-limited placements, the 20ft wins on practicality.
For compact projects or tight sites, see our full 20ft shipping container specs and pricing side by side. For exact measurements across all standard sizes, see our shipping container dimensions guide.
40ft shipping containers for sale in the US market are available through three main channels: coastal port depots, inland regional depots, and direct-from-supplier networks.
Port markets like Houston, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Newark, Miami, Savannah, Seattle, and Oakland offer the deepest 40ft stock, the freshest one-trip inventory, and the most competitive pricing. Inland buyers are served through regional depot networks that feed from the nearest port, usually with a short transport leg added to the quote.
To find suppliers with real stock in your area, the fastest path is to specify your ZIP code, size (40ft standard or high cube), preferred condition, and intended use. Qualified suppliers in the network will respond with delivered quotes, container price plus transport, so you can compare apples to apples. For 40ft units, always confirm delivery truck access requirements before finalizing a quote; sites that can’t accept a tilt-bed delivery may need a crane drop at additional cost. Here is how shipping container delivery works.
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FAQs
A standard 40ft shipping container measures 40 feet long, 8 feet wide,
and 8 feet 6 inches high externally (12.19 m × 2.44 m × 2.59 m). Internal
usable space is approximately 39 feet 5 inches long, 7 feet 8 inches
wide, and 7 feet 10 inches high. A 40ft high cube adds approximately
1 foot of internal height, bringing internal clearance to roughly
8 feet 10 inches.
An empty standard 40ft shipping container has a tare weight of approximately
7,825 lbs (3,550 kg). A 40ft high cube weighs slightly more at approximately
8,160 lbs (3,700 kg) due to additional sidewall steel. The ISO 668 maximum
gross weight for both variants is 71,650 lbs (32,500 kg), allowing a
maximum payload of roughly 63,490 lbs (28,800 kg). In US road transport,
practical cargo weight is typically limited to around 44,000 lbs by
federal truck gross vehicle weight regulations.
20 standard US pallets (48 x 40 in) fit on the floor of a 40ft container, or 24 Euro pallets. With double stacking, capacity can roughly double, depending on pallet height and cargo weight. A 40ft high cube has the same floor area with more height for stacking. Our guide on how many pallets fit in a shipping container shows the layouts.
Both share identical length (40 feet) and width (8 feet). The high cube adds one foot of external height 9 feet 6 inches instead of 8 feet 6 inches and gives approximately 12 inches more internal clearance. High cube is the default for container homes, modifications with ceiling insulation, and any use case where interior headroom matters. For pure storage without height-critical contents, a standard 40ft is usually the better value.
Yes, but 40ft delivery requires more clearance than 20ft. A tilt-bed delivery truck needs approximately 100–120 feet of straight-line, level approach, a stable surface for placement (compacted gravel, concrete, or level hardstand), and clearance from overhead obstructions such as trees, eaves, and power lines. For tight residential sites, crane placement is available at additional cost. Budget $500–$1,500 on top of the delivery fee depending on crane size and distance.
For most storage, jobsite, agricultural, and commercial applications, yes. A used WWT or CW 40ft delivers the same core function as a new one-trip unit (secure, weathertight steel structure) at a significantly lower entry price. New one-trip 40ft containers are typically specified only when cosmetic condition, customer-facing use, container home projects, or refrigerated conversions justify the premium.
A well-maintained 40ft shipping container typically has a service life of 20 to 25 years in stationary use. Corten weathering steel develops a protective patina that limits corrosion over time. Service life extends further with regular cleaning, timely touch-up painting on scratches, and protection of the floor and seals. Most used 40ft containers on the US market still have substantial remaining service life, even after 10–15 years of prior shipping use.
Yes, and 40ft units are the most commonly modified size in the US market. Typical 40ft modifications include door and window cutouts, roll-up doors, electrical fit-out, insulation, HVAC installation, interior cladding, reinforced floors, and custom exterior paint. More ambitious builds include full container homes, multi-room offices, refrigerated conversions, retail buildouts, and modular commercial spaces. Modifications are typically performed by specialist container modification companies, separately from the container purchase itself.
Half the footprint, two-thirds the price. See full specs, pricing context, and where to buy 20ft containers across the US market. 20ft shipping container specs and pricing
Understand condition grades, what WWT and CW mean, and how used container pricing works across the US market. Used shipping containers: grades and pricing
Full ISO dimension breakdown across all standard container sizes: 20ft, 40ft, high cube and specialized variants. Shipping container dimensions guide
Compare all container options across the US – 20ft, 40ft, used, and conex in one overview. Shipping containers for sale in the USA
Whether you’re sizing up for storage, planning a modification, or comparing
20ft against 40ft for your project. Get direct guidance from someone who’s
worked with containers for 15+ years.
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External size 40ft: 40 ft × 8 ft × 8 ft 6 in (12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m), length × width × height
