One full foot of extra interior height — available in 40ft and 45ft. CSC-certified, ISO-compliant, delivered to your site.
A high cube (HC) container is a standard ISO shipping container built one foot taller than a conventional unit. Where a standard container stands 8'6" externally (7'10" interior), a high cube measures 9'6" externally and 8'10" internally — that extra foot of clearance makes a significant difference for many applications.
High cube containers are available in 40ft and 45ft lengths. Both sizes are CSC-certified, ISO-compliant, and built from the same Corten steel as standard containers. The 40ft high cube is the most commonly available; 45ft high cube units require advance notice as availability is more limited by region.
| Spec | 40ft Standard | 40ft High Cube | 45ft High Cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ext. Length | 40' (12.20m) | 40' (12.20m) | 45' (13.71m) |
| Ext. Width | 8' (2.44m) | 8' (2.44m) | 8' (2.44m) |
| Ext. Height | 8'6" (2.59m) | 9'6" (2.89m) | 9'6" (2.89m) |
| Int. Length | 39'4" | 39'4" | 44'4" |
| Int. Height | 7'10" | 8'10" | 8'10" |
| Cube Capacity | 2,720 ft³ | 3,040 ft³ | 3,420 ft³ |
| Door Height | 7'5" | 8'5" | 8'5" |
| Best For | General storage | Tall equipment, conversions | Max volume, facilities |
The extra foot of height is more than cosmetic — it changes what you can do with the container. High cube units are the preferred choice when:
| Dimension | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| External Dimensions | ||
| Length | 40' 0" | 12.20 m |
| Width | 8' 0" | 2.44 m |
| Height | 9' 6" | 2.89 m |
| Internal Dimensions | ||
| Length | 39' 4" | 15.03 m |
| Width | 7' 9" | 2.35 m |
| Height | 8' 10" | 2.69 m |
| Cube Capacity | 3,040 ft³ | 86 m³ |
| Door Opening | ||
| Width | 7' 8" | 2.33 m |
| Height | 8' 5" | 2.56 m |
Because high cube containers are 9'6" tall, they require additional overhead clearance during transport and at the delivery site. Bridges, power lines, and low tree branches that clear a standard container may not clear a high cube. Verify your route and site clearance before ordering.
Choose a high cube when you need to store tall items, are converting the container into a livable or workable space, want to install overhead racking, or are building a self-storage facility where maximum cubic footage per unit improves ROI. Standard containers suffice for most basic outdoor storage needs.
A high cube container has an interior height of 8'10" (2.69m) versus 7'10" in a standard container. The door opening is also taller at 8'5" vs. 7'5". This makes a meaningful difference when loading tall equipment or building out interior walls and insulation.
High cube containers typically run $500–$1,500 more than equivalent standard containers due to their specialty dimensions and slightly lower depot inventory. For many applications the extra cost is well justified. Get a free quote for current pricing in your area.
45ft high cube containers are less common than 40ft units and availability varies by region and depot. Lead times may be slightly longer. Contact us with your specific size and location and we'll confirm availability and pricing.