A high cube container is a taller version of the standard shipping container, designed to provide additional vertical space for cargo. They stand at a standard external height of 9 feet 6 inches (9’6″). This increased dimension makes them a specialized option in global logistics, particularly for goods that are bulky or require extra headroom.
The Specific Height Measurement
The external height of a high cube container is consistently 9 feet 6 inches (approximately 2.90 meters), adhering to international shipping standards. This measurement represents the total height of the steel structure, taken from the bottom to the top of the corner castings. This dimension allows the container to be stacked and handled by the same equipment used for standard containers, maintaining compatibility within the global supply chain.
The internal height is slightly less than the external measurement due to the thickness of the floor, roof, and structural beams. Typically, the usable internal height is around 8 feet 10 inches (2.69 meters). This internal dimension is the practical limit for the height of the cargo itself, and is the measurement most important to shippers planning their load.
A further consideration for loading is the height of the door opening, which can be the most restrictive dimension for tall items. While the internal height is 8 feet 10 inches, the door opening is often slightly lower, sometimes around 8 feet 5 inches (2.58 meters). Shippers must account for this opening height to ensure that tall machinery or stacked pallets can pass through the doors without obstruction.
High Cube vs. Standard Containers
The defining characteristic of a high cube container is its height compared to the standard dry van container. A standard container, the most common type, has an external height of 8 feet 6 inches (8’6″), or 2.59 meters. The high cube variant is exactly one foot (12 inches or 30 centimeters) taller than its standard counterpart.
This difference in height is the only significant dimensional variation between the two container types. Both the high cube and the standard container share the same external width of 8 feet (2.44 meters). They are also available in the same common lengths, primarily 20 feet and 40 feet, though 45-foot and 53-foot high cube options also exist.
The designation “high cube” is a direct result of the increased cubic capacity provided by the extra foot of height. For example, a 40-foot high cube container offers approximately 344 more cubic feet of space than a 40-foot standard container. This additional volume is beneficial when transporting light cargo that takes up a large amount of space, maximizing shipment efficiency.
Common Uses and Advantages
The primary advantage of the high cube container is its ability to accommodate taller cargo that would not fit inside a standard 8-foot 6-inch container. This includes items like certain types of machinery, large furniture, or construction materials that exceed the 7-foot 10-inch internal height of a standard unit. The extra vertical space also allows for easier movement of forklifts during loading and unloading, which saves time in logistics operations.
For shippers dealing with lightweight, voluminous goods, the increased cubic capacity translates directly into cost-efficiency. Utilizing the full 9-foot 6-inch height allows more product to be shipped in a single container, reducing the overall number of shipments required. This optimization of space is a major factor in the popularity of high cube containers for transporting consumer goods like electronics, textiles, and furniture.
Beyond shipping, the extra headroom makes high cube containers desirable for secondary uses, such as modifications for living or working spaces. When converted into mobile offices, workshops, or container homes, the 8-foot 10-inch internal height provides a more comfortable and spacious feeling than a standard container. The additional height also simplifies the installation of insulation, flooring, and ceiling fixtures without sacrificing usable headroom.