in Canada
Last updated: June 29, 2026
Quick answer. Series 1 containers are dimensionally defined by ISO 668:2020 with capacity ratings per ISO 1496-1:2013. Canadian shipping containers come in five standard lengths: 10ft, 20ft, 40ft, 45ft, and 53ft. Each can be Standard (8ft 6in tall) or High Cube (9ft 6in tall, one foot taller). External width is 8ft. The 20ft and 40ft are by far the most common Ontario purchases for storage, working operations, and conversions. Family-run Ontario shipping container supplier since 1995. 4.9 stars across 124+ Google reviews, 1-3 day delivery.
Which container size fits your project: 10ft, 20ft, 40ft, 45ft, or 53ft?
Shipping container sizes look like a simple decision until you start specifying. The five standard lengths each have Standard and High Cube height variants, plus specialty configurations (open-top, flat-rack, double-door, side-opening, pallet-wide) that change usable interior dimensions in ways the basic spec sheets do not capture.
This guide covers what each container size actually is, what fits inside, what its real-world working dimensions are after accounting for door thresholds and corner posts, and which container size is right for which use case. Linked deep-dives go into specific size details (10ft, 20ft, 40ft, 45ft, 53ft) with current pricing for the Canadian market.
The standard sizes, by the numbers
Here are the five standard Canadian container sizes side by side. The internal figures are real usable dimensions after the corner posts and door threshold, not the headline external numbers. Every one of these lengths comes through our Brantford yards, and the full list of boxes currently in stock shows what is on the ground this week.
| Container size | External (L x W x H) | Internal usable (L x W x H) | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft Standard | 10ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in | ~9ft 4in x 7ft 8in x 7ft 10in | 560 cu ft | Tight urban lots, small loads |
| 20 ft Standard | 20ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in | ~19ft 4in x 7ft 8in x 7ft 10in | 1,170 cu ft | Residential, hobby-farm, first-time buyers |
| 40 ft Standard | 40ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in | ~39ft 5in x 7ft 8in x 7ft 10in | 2,390 cu ft | Farms, contractors, best cost per cubic foot |
| 40 ft High Cube | 40ft x 8ft x 9ft 6in | ~39ft 5in x 7ft 8in x 8ft 10in | 2,700 cu ft | Conversions, occupied space, tall items |
| 45 ft High Cube | 45ft x 8ft x 9ft 6in | ~44ft 5in x 7ft 8in x 8ft 10in | 3,040 cu ft | Mobile depots, longest secure span |
| 53 ft High Cube | 53ft x 8ft 6in x 9ft 6in | widest domestic standard | 3,820 cu ft | Industrial-scale domestic storage |
20ft Standard Dry
External: 20ft long x 8ft wide x 8ft 6in tall. Internal usable: roughly 19ft 4in long x 7ft 8in wide x 7ft 10in tall. Cubic capacity 1,170 cu ft. Tare weight 4,800-5,200 lbs depending on age. The most-versatile size for residential, hobby-farm, and small-business buyers. Fits on tight driveways with reasonable access. The default starting recommendation for first-time buyers without a clear use case for something larger. Where the decision narrows to this box or its taller sibling, our 20ft High Cube versus Standard comparison for Canadian buyers walks through the headroom and availability trade-offs.
40ft Standard Dry
External: 40ft long x 8ft wide x 8ft 6in tall. Internal usable: roughly 39ft 5in long x 7ft 8in wide x 7ft 10in tall. Cubic capacity 2,390 cu ft. Tare weight 8,500-9,200 lbs. The default for working operations – farms, contractors, light manufacturing, small commercial. Best cost-per-cubic-foot of any size. The 40ft is what most buyers should pick once they have considered their actual storage volume needs. Size is also the biggest lever on what you pay, which we break down in how each size and grade is priced in 2026.
40ft High Cube
External: 40ft long x 8ft wide x 9ft 6in tall (one foot taller than the Standard 40ft). Internal usable: roughly 39ft 5in long x 7ft 8in wide x 8ft 10in tall. Cubic capacity 2,700 cu ft. Tare weight slightly higher than Standard 40ft. The right answer for any conversion that involves human occupancy (offices, cabins, livable space) because the extra foot of height accommodates ceiling finish and insulation. Also the right answer for any storage with tall items (vertical machinery, racked palletized goods, tall equipment).
45ft High Cube
External: 45ft long x 8ft wide x 9ft 6in tall. Internal usable: roughly 44ft 5in long x 7ft 8in wide x 8ft 10in tall. Cubic capacity 3,040 cu ft. The size for contractor mobile depots, large-equipment storage, and operations needing the longest secure span available in standard container format. Requires longer placement access than 40ft.
53ft High Cube (Domestic Intermodal)
External: 53ft long x 8ft 6in wide x 9ft 6in tall. Note the 8ft 6in width is wider than other sizes (vs the standard 8ft). North American domestic intermodal standard. Internal cubic 3,820 cu ft. Used for high-volume domestic storage and freight. Not common in residential or hobby contexts; the right answer for industrial-scale operations.
10ft
External: 10ft long x 8ft wide x 8ft 6in tall. Internal usable: roughly 9ft 4in long x 7ft 8in wide x 7ft 10in tall. Cubic capacity 560 cu ft. The size for limited-space residential, urban backlot, or specific small-load applications. Less common in the Canadian market than 20ft and 40ft because the cost-per-cubic-foot is higher and most buyers find a 20ft a better value.
Standard or High Cube: which one-foot decision matters more than buyers expect?
The Standard versus High Cube choice on a 40ft container looks like a small difference – one foot of extra exterior height, an extra hundred or two dollars in price. The practical impact is much bigger than the numbers suggest.
For pure storage with items under six feet tall, the Standard 40ft is fine. For ANY conversion involving human occupancy, the High Cube is essentially mandatory. After four to six inches of ceiling finish, six inches of floor insulation, and an inch or two of subfloor, the Standard 40ft interior is uncomfortably low for most adults. The High Cube gives you a useable finished ceiling height. The cost differential is small. The difference in livability is enormous.
For racked palletized storage where stacking matters, the High Cube allows an extra layer of stacked pallets versus a Standard 40ft. The volume return on the one-foot height is meaningful when stacking is part of the use case.
When do standard container sizes not fit the job?
Beyond Standard and High Cube, several specialty container configurations exist for specific use cases.
Open-Top containers replace the steel roof with a tarp-and-bow system, allowing crane loading of oversize cargo. Used for shipping over-height equipment, machinery that cannot fit through standard doors. Storage-use is limited because the tarp roof is less weathertight.
Flat-Rack containers are essentially a base and two end walls with no sides or roof. For oversize machinery and equipment that exceeds standard container dimensions. Niche use, occasionally appears in Canadian inventory.
Double-Door (tunnel) containers have cargo doors on both ends. Useful for through-loading applications, drive-through workshops, and conversions where access from both ends is preferred.
Side-Opening containers have full-length doors along one side, allowing forklift access to the entire interior. Used for high-frequency loading where opening only the end doors creates a bottleneck.
Pallet-Wide containers are slightly wider than standard (internal width close to 8 feet, accommodating Euro pallets). Niche use in European-imported freight.
Shipping container sizes and prices in Canada: how the two connect
Most buyers research shipping container sizes and prices in Canada as a single question, and the connection between the two is simpler than the listings make it look. Size sets the baseline: a 40ft costs more than a 20ft, but never twice as much, because the steel is not where most of the cost lives. A High Cube carries a modest premium over standard height. The 45ft and 53ft lengths price above the mainstream sizes because supply is thinner. And the oddball is the 10ft, which is custom-cut from a 20ft and ends up costing more per linear foot than its parent.
From that baseline, four inputs move the number more than size does: the grade (One-Trip down through As-Is), delivery distance from the yard, the state of the steel and freight markets that month, and any modifications. That is why we quote per order instead of posting a price list that would be wrong by the time you read it. The full breakdown of what moves a Canadian container quote up or down covers each input; for your own number, tell us the size and your postal code and we will send back an honest all-in figure, usually the same day.
Featured deep-dives in the sizes and dimensions family
Shipping Container Cost by Size: Canada 2026
The size-by-size cost comparison: every standard length matched to its interior cube and current 2026 pricing. The starting point for any buyer comparing options.
our guide to the 20ft or 40ft choice
The most common size decision Canadian buyers face. Cost-per-cubic-foot math, use-case fits, delivery-access trade-offs, and the practical reasons most buyers should pick a 40ft when in doubt.
High Cube vs Standard Shipping Container: When the Extra Foot of Headroom Is Worth It
The Standard versus High Cube decision and when each is right. Particularly important for any conversion involving human occupancy where the High Cube becomes essentially mandatory.
Sea Can Sizes, the Canadian-vocabulary dimensions reference
The Canadian-vocabulary version of the same sizes reference. Useful if you have heard “sea can” terminology and want the dimensions reality without the technical industry jargon.
Shipping Container Dimensions: Every Size Spec Guide for Canadian Buyers
The technical dimensions reference. Imperial and metric, external and usable internal, with the corner-post and door-threshold deductions that the basic spec sheets often omit.
The full sizes and dimensions spoke index
By container length
- 10ft Shipping Container in Canada
- 10ft Container: When to Use
- 20ft Shipping Container Dimensions
- 20ft Dimensions Weight Ontario
- 20ft Container Cost & Uses
- 40ft Shipping Container Dimensions
- 45ft High Cube Container
- 53ft Shipping Container Canada
Comparison and decision guides
- 20ft vs 40ft: Cost-Per-Cubic-Metre Math
- 20ft vs 40ft Ontario 2026 Decision Guide
- High Cube vs Standard
Sizes references
- How to Pick the Right Size
- Sea Can Sizes
- Container Dimensions: Spec Guide
- Container Weight Canada: Empty + Loaded
Specialty configurations
- Open Top Container
- Open Top: Overheight Loads
- Flat-Rack Container
- Double-Door Container
- Side-Opening Container
- Pallet-Wide Container
What customers actually say
“Not knowing exactly what size or shape we wanted Paul was extremely helpful and knowledgeable showing us all the different sizes and variations available down to colour choice. Delivery was quick and on time. Chris made sure we were happy with the placement, being fit in a tight spot he was more than happy to adjust it (a few times) to its final position.”
– Andrew B., May 2020, Google review
The “not knowing exactly what size” pattern is what most first-time container buyers face. The size decision is upstream of every other decision (grade, price, delivery access, conversion potential) – get it wrong and the rest of the purchase compounds the mistake. Get it right by having the size conversation at the yard before committing.
Frequently asked questions about shipping container sizes in Canada
What sizes do shipping containers come in?
Five standard lengths in the Canadian market: 10ft, 20ft, 40ft, 45ft, and 53ft. Each can be Standard height (8ft 6in tall) or High Cube (9ft 6in tall). External width is 8ft for most sizes; the 53ft is wider at 8ft 6in. The 20ft and 40ft are by far the most common purchases.
What is the difference between Standard and High Cube?
One foot of exterior height. Standard is 8ft 6in tall; High Cube is 9ft 6in tall. The interior gain is about one foot after accounting for floor and ceiling. The cost difference is modest, usually a small percentage on top of the Standard price and driven mostly by how much High Cube stock is available when you buy. For any conversion involving human occupancy (office, cabin, livable space), the High Cube is essentially mandatory because after ceiling finish and insulation, the Standard interior is uncomfortably low.
What size container is best for residential storage?
For most residential buyers, a 20ft Cargo-Worthy container is the right starting point. Roughly 1,170 cubic feet of secure dry interior – enough for ATV, snowblower, lawn tractor, garden equipment, seasonal recreational gear, and most household overflow storage. Fits on tight driveways with reasonable access.
What size container is best for working farms or businesses?
For most working operations, a 40ft Standard Dry or 40ft High Cube is the right answer. About 2,400-2,700 cubic feet of secure dry interior – enough for equipment storage, parts inventory, feed supply, and the working volume that supports a business. Best cost-per-cubic-foot of any container size.
What is the interior dimensions of a 20ft shipping container?
Usable interior of a 20ft Standard: approximately 19ft 4in long x 7ft 8in wide x 7ft 10in tall. Door opening is roughly 7ft 8in wide x 7ft 6in tall. Cubic capacity 1,170 cu ft. These are working dimensions accounting for corner posts and door thresholds – the marketed external dimensions (20 x 8 x 8.5) do not reflect what actually fits inside.
What is the interior dimensions of a 40ft shipping container?
Usable interior of a 40ft Standard: approximately 39ft 5in long x 7ft 8in wide x 7ft 10in tall. Cubic capacity 2,390 cu ft. For 40ft High Cube, add roughly one foot of internal height (8ft 10in interior). Door opening is roughly 7ft 8in wide x 7ft 6in tall on Standard, 8ft 6in on High Cube.
Can I get a container in a non-standard size?
Sort of. The five standard lengths above are what gets manufactured. Custom dimensions are rare in the Canadian market and significantly more expensive. For most buyers needing a non-standard size, the right answer is either combining two containers (two 20ft side-by-side = 320 sq ft) or modifying a standard container with additional structure (extensions are technically possible but rarely worth the cost).
How much does each container size weigh empty?
Approximate empty tare weights: 10ft 2,400-2,800 lbs, 20ft Standard 4,800-5,200 lbs, 40ft Standard 8,500-9,200 lbs, 40ft High Cube 9,000-9,700 lbs, 45ft High Cube 10,000-10,800 lbs, 53ft High Cube 11,000-12,000 lbs. These matter for delivery truck capacity and any subsequent moves.
Which container size is hardest to deliver?
The 45ft and 53ft. They need longer straight-line approach for tilt-deck delivery (closer to 110-120 feet versus the 90 feet a 20ft or 40ft needs). Most tight residential properties cannot accept a 53ft. The 20ft is by far the easiest to deliver to constrained sites.
Do all the size variants come in all grades?
Mostly. One-Trip, Cargo Worthy, and Wind-and-Watertight are available in all five standard lengths and both heights. As-Is grade is less commonly available in 45ft and 53ft because they are less commonly stocked. Refrigerated containers (reefers) are typically only in 20ft and 40ft High Cube.
Ready to pick a size? See current inventory
The size decision is the first commitment and the hardest to undo. Most buyers benefit from walking through the actual sizes at our Brantford yard before committing – the difference between a 20ft and 40ft is more obvious in person than from a spec sheet. Browse current inventory or jump directly to the size you have in mind: 20-foot dry container, 40-foot dry container, 40-foot high cube, 45-foot high cube, 53-foot high cube, 20ft Reefer, or 40ft HC Reefer.
Or call to talk through the size decision before committing: 519-754-6844 or 1-888-509-6658. Paul and Christian are usually both on site at the Brantford yard.
Where Van Blanc delivers across Ontario
Whatever size fits your site, we deliver it across Ontario. We deliver from our four Brantford yards to communities right across the province, including Hamilton, Ontario, London, Ontario, Kitchener, Oshawa, St. Catharines and Guelph. See the full the full Ontario delivery map to find your town.
Ready to price your container?
Tell us the size and your postal code and we’ll send back an honest, all-in number, container, delivery, and placement, usually within 1-3 days. No pressure, no mystery fees.
Family-run in Brantford since 1995 · 200+ containers in stock · 4.9★ across 124+ Google reviews · every box graded by a person, walk it before it lands.
The Spec Sheet, Read the Ontario Way
Buyers comparing sizes usually need three numbers per box, not thirty: external footprint, internal usable space, and tare weight. A 20ft standard runs 6.06 m long externally with roughly 33 cubic metres inside and a tare around 2,300 kg; a 40ft doubles the length at 12.19 m with about 67 cubic metres and a tare near 3,800 kg; high-cubes add the extra foot of height, which shows up as roughly nine more cubic metres on a 40HC. Internal width is the constant that surprises people: every standard ISO box gives you about 2.35 m of usable width regardless of length, so capacity planning is really a length-and-height question. When the placement is in Ontario, remember the practical pairing: the box rides legally on a normal float, but your site needs the swing room to land it.
New: How much actually fits in a container (pallets, furniture, capacity).
Sources & References
Authoritative external sources cited or referenced in this guide: