Home Container size 40ft
40ft shipping containers
40ft Shipping Containers for Sale
Compare 40ft shipping containers and conex boxes — standard and high cube, new and used — then get matched with verified suppliers near you. Real specs, honest pricing, and free quotes with no obligation.
Dimensions & specs
40ft container specs, side by side
The two 40ft options buyers actually choose between — standard and high cube. The only real difference is one foot of height, but it changes volume, headroom, and price.
40ft Standard
8′6″ tall| External (L×W×H) | 40′ × 8′ × 8′6″ |
| Internal length | 39′ 5″ |
| Internal width | 7′ 8″ |
| Internal height | 7′ 10″ |
| Door opening (W×H) | 7′8″ × 7′6″ |
| Floor area | ~300 sq ft |
| Internal volume | ~2,390 cu ft |
| Tare (empty) weight | ~8,200 lb |
| Max payload | ~59,000 lb |
40ft High Cube
9′6″ tall| External (L×W×H) | 40′ × 8′ × 9′6″ |
| Internal length | 39′ 5″ |
| Internal width | 7′ 8″ |
| Internal height | 8′ 10″ |
| Door opening (W×H) | 7′8″ × 8′5″ |
| Floor area | ~300 sq ft |
| Internal volume | ~2,700 cu ft |
| Tare (empty) weight | ~8,750 lb |
| Max payload | ~58,400 lb |
Figures are nominal ISO standards and vary slightly by manufacturer and age. Max payload is the container’s structural rating — road-legal limits for hauling a loaded container are lower and depend on your state. For most buyers the container arrives empty, so payload mainly matters if you’ll load it heavily in place.
Standard vs high cube
That extra foot matters more than you’d think
A 40ft high cube is exactly one foot taller than a standard 40ft — 9′6″ instead of 8′6″ outside, giving about 8′10″ of interior headroom. That foot adds roughly 300 cubic feet and makes a real difference if you’ll stand, build, or stack inside.
- Choose high cube for homes, offices, or gyms — you keep usable headroom after a floor and ceiling go in.
- Choose standard when cost is the priority and 7′10″ is plenty — most storage and site use.
- In the new / one-trip market, high cube is often the default 40ft — and can cost the same or less, since it’s what’s most produced.
Condition grades
Know what you’re paying for
“Used” covers a wide range. These are the grades suppliers actually quote — get the right one and you won’t overpay or end up with a leaky box.
New / One-Trip
Made overseas and shipped once to reach the U.S., so it’s essentially like-new: current paint, tight doors, minimal wear, valid CSC plate. The pick for conversions, branding, or anything where looks and longevity matter.
Highest priceCargo-Worthy (CW)
Certified structurally sound and still fit for international shipping. Expect surface rust and cosmetic dings, but it’s watertight with working doors. The best all-rounder for storage and most jobs.
Mid priceWind & Watertight (WWT)
Keeps wind and water out but isn’t certified for shipping. More rust and dents, doors still seal. Great value for a container that’s going to sit in one spot as storage.
Lower priceAs-Is
Sold exactly as it stands — may have a leak, floor damage, or a stiff door. Cheapest option, best for buyers who can do repairs or don’t need it watertight. Always inspect or ask for photos first.
CheapestWhat a 40ft is good for
Twice the floor of a 20ft
A 40ft gives roughly double the space of a 20ft for far less than double the price — the better deal per square foot if you’ve got room for it.
Large-scale storage
Equipment, inventory, seasonal stock, or jobsite materials — one 40ft swallows what would take several sheds, lockable and weatherproof.
Homes & offices
The 40ft high cube is the conversion favorite. The length suits open layouts, and the extra headroom survives insulation and finishing.
Workshops & garages
Room for a full bench, tools, and a project with space to move — power it, light it, and work year-round.
Agriculture & equipment
Secure storage for implements, feed, and supplies out on the land, where 40ft of dry, rodent-resistant steel earns its keep.
Retail & pop-ups
Bars, cafés, and market stalls — a 40ft gives footprint for a counter, prep, and a line without feeling cramped.
Cold storage
Need refrigeration? A 40ft reefer holds chilled or frozen goods — see refrigerated containers.
Delivery & placement
Make sure a 40ft can actually reach the spot
This trips up more first-time buyers than price does. A 40ft is long, and the most common delivery method needs a lot of straight room to offload.
- Tilt-bed (roll-off) delivery is standard: the truck tilts its bed and slides the container off the back while driving forward. Plan for roughly 100+ ft of straight, level clearance in line with the drop spot.
- Tight site? A flatbed plus a crane (HIAB) — or a forklift you provide — can set it down precisely in a small space, but it costs more.
- Width & overhead: leave about 12 ft of width and clear any low branches or power lines along the approach.
- Prep the ground: firm and level. Set the corners on concrete blocks, piers, or railroad ties so it drains, stays square, and the floor isn’t sitting in water.
- Leave door room: the cargo doors swing wide at one end — keep a few feet clear there.
- Check permits: some towns require one to place a container on residential property. A quick call to your local office saves headaches.
Not sure it’ll fit? Tell suppliers about your access when you request quotes — good ones will flag a tight site and suggest crane delivery before the truck shows up.
Before you buy used
A 5-minute inspection that saves you later
If you can see the container in person or get photos, run through this. It’s the difference between a solid box and a money pit.
- CSC plate — present and current if you need cargo-worthy or plan to ship.
- Floor — marine ply solid underfoot, no soft spots or rot; ask what it last carried.
- Roof — look for dents that pond water and the pinhole leaks they cause.
- Seams & corners — surface rust is normal; flaking or perforating rust is not.
- Doors — open and shut both, check the rubber gaskets and that locking bars move freely.
- Daylight test — close the doors and look inside; light coming through means it isn’t watertight.
What a 40ft costs
Ballpark pricing by condition
Container only — delivery and any modifications are extra. Prices move with steel costs, the season, and how close you are to a port or depot, so treat these as a starting point.
| Condition | 40ft Standard | 40ft High Cube |
|---|---|---|
| As-is / wind & watertight | $1,500 – $2,800 | $1,700 – $3,000 |
| Cargo-worthy | $2,000 – $3,500 | $2,300 – $3,800 |
| New / one-trip | $3,500 – $5,500 | $3,800 – $6,000 |
Coastal and port-adjacent areas usually run cheaper; inland and rural delivery adds cost. For real numbers where you are, run the cost estimator or get matched for free quotes below.
40ft or 20ft?
When to size up — and when not to
A 40ft is the better value per square foot, but only if you can get it in and have somewhere to keep it. Here’s the quick call:
- Go 40ft if you want maximum space, plan a conversion, and have the access plus a fairly permanent spot.
- Go 20ft if access is tight, you may need to move it, or the load is smaller — see 20ft containers.
- Two 20ft can beat one 40ft when you need storage in two places or easier maneuvering.
Quick comparison
20ft vs 40ft| 20ft floor space | ~150 sq ft |
| 40ft floor space | ~300 sq ft |
| 20ft internal volume | ~1,170 cu ft |
| 40ft internal volume | ~2,390 cu ft |
| Clearance to deliver | 40ft needs more |
| Easy to reposition | 20ft wins |
40ft FAQs
40ft questions, answered
Get a high cube if you want the extra foot of headroom and volume, or you’re converting it into a home, office, or anything you’ll insulate — and in the new/one-trip market it often costs the same or less. Stick with standard to save money when 7′10″ of interior height is plenty, which it is for most storage.
For standard tilt-bed delivery, plan on roughly 100+ ft of straight, level approach and about 12 ft of width, with no low wires or branches overhead. If your site is tighter than that, a crane (HIAB) or a forklift you supply can place it precisely — just expect to pay more.
Cargo-worthy and wind-and-watertight grades are sold as watertight; as-is units may not be. Always confirm the grade, and if you can, do the daylight test — close the doors and check inside for any light coming through.
Decades. A steel container kept on a level, draining foundation with basic rust upkeep can last 25 years or more. Managing rust — touching up paint and keeping water from pooling on the roof or under the floor — is the main thing that determines lifespan.
Usually yes, as long as there’s room for the truck to maneuver and offload. Some municipalities require a permit to place a container on residential property, so it’s worth a quick check with your local office before delivery day.
Yes — “Conex” is just another name for a standard steel ISO shipping container. A 40ft Conex and a 40ft shipping container are the same thing.
Ready to price a 40ft?
Get matched with verified suppliers near you — free quotes, no obligation.
Compare free quotes