Shipping container width may be different for each type. Knowing the width is essential for safe planning, efficient use, and proper modification. Misjudging width can lead to wasted space or loading issues.
A shipping container is a container used to store or transport large amounts of cargo.
Whether you’re shipping cargo, designing a container building, or planning storage, the container’s width directly affects what fits, how it fits, and how the container functions.
The standard shipping container width is consistent across most ISO containers, regardless of length. However, there are also bigger container types that provide extra width. Here’s a breakdown:
Contents
Why You Should Know the Width of a Shipping Container
Cargo & Pallet Fit
Width affects cargo fit, pallet layout, and furniture placement. It determines how many pallets, boxes, or machines you can load side by side.
Interior Layout in Container Builds
For cozy layouts, knowing the exact internal width helps you plan smartly. In container homes or offices, width influences interior layout design in container homes or shops.
It limits wall placement, furniture size, and clear walking space. Furthermore, with insulation and framing added, the usable width shrinks by 4–6 inches or more.
Door and Equipment Clearance
Width also determines whether large machinery or building materials will fit through the door.
Items entering through the doors must fit within the door opening width. Therefore, width affects large equipment or furniture access.
Transportation and Site Planning
The shipping container’s external width (8’) matters for legal road transport limits, site space, lot boundary planning, and fitting multiple containers on trailers or barges.
Container-to-Container Modifications
When you connect containers side by side or cut through walls, accurate width knowledge helps with structural framing, doorway alignment, and open plan merging.
Standard Shipping Container Width
Standard shipping container widths are big enough for many common uses, ideal for general cargo, basic storage, and conversions.
It is preferred for international shipping and has been globally standardized (easy to transport, stack, and lease).
However, it is not for bulk pallet due to its limited width. The U.S. pallets will not fit side-by-side inside the standard container. The specific width of an extra wide container is:
| Specification | Feet | Meters |
| External Width | 8’ | 2.46 m |
| Internal Width | 7.8’ | 2.35 |
Pallet Wide Container Width
A standard container size fails to fit two pallets at once. The pallet wide container is the solution to that problem. This can optimize container internal capacity while maintaining the proportions of a regular 20′ or 40′ container, despite having an outside that partially resembles a typical shipping container.
The design allows it to hold an additional 48×40-inch American-sized pallets and stack them side by side across its width. It can also fit two standard pallets side by side. The specific width of a pallet wide container is:
| Specification | Feet | Meters |
| External Width | 8’ | 2.46 m |
| Internal Width | 7.9’ | 2.41 |
| Door Opening Width | 7.7’ | 2.3 m |
Extra Wide Container Width
Extra wide containers are modified or custom-built containers designed to offer more interior width than standard ISO containers. Typically, they are custom-made for specific uses.
These wider containers are used when additional side-to-side space is essential for storage, transport, or conversions. The specific width of an extra wide container is:
| Specification | Feet | Meters |
| External Width | 8.4’ – 9.10’ | 2.55-3 m |
| Internal Width | 8’ – 9.6’ | 2.45-2.9 m |
| Door Opening Width | Up to 9.4’ | Up to 2,85 m |
Conclusion
The walls and door framing thickness usually influence the shipping container width. The walls take up about 3.4 inches in total, reducing internal width slightly from external.
Meanwhile, the door width is just slightly narrower than the internal width due to the door framing.
Buy or rent shipping containers with side doors from Tradecorp, a reliable container sales, purchase, rental, and modification service company. Tradecorp provides modification and custom shipping container services by adding windows, doors, walls, and roof insulation.
Our experienced staff is ready to help you arrange the shipping of your container to your requested location. Fill out our quote form to buy or rent from us!
