Understanding ISO Shipping Container Types and Sizes for Container Homes

One of the first decisions in building a shipping container home is selecting the right container type. While many people think of shipping containers as all being the same, ISO shipping containers come in multiple sizes and configurations, each with advantages depending on layout, ceiling height, and intended use.

At MicroBox Homes, we help customers choose containers that best support their design, structural requirements, and long-term comfort. Below is an overview of the most common container types used in container home construction.

What Is an ISO Shipping Container?

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) shipping containers are standardized steel containers designed for global transport. These standards ensure consistent dimensions, structural integrity, and compatibility with shipping and lifting equipment.

For container homes, ISO containers provide a durable steel structure that can be modified into safe, livable spaces when engineered and built correctly.

Container Dimensions

Container Type	Exterior Length	Exterior Width	Exterior Height	Approx. Int. Height*
20 ft Standard	20 ft (6.06 m)	8 ft (2.44 m)	8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)	~7 ft 10 in
40 ft Standard	40 ft (12.19 m)	8 ft (2.44 m)	8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)	~7 ft 10 in
20 ft High-Cube	20 ft (6.06 m)	8 ft (2.44 m)	9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)	~8 ft 10 in
40 ft High-Cube	40 ft (12.19 m)	8 ft (2.44 m)	9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)	~8 ft 10 in
53 ft Rail Container**	53 ft (16.15 m)	8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)	9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)	~9 ft

*This dimension does not include insulation, ceiling covering or other modifications

**Rail containers are not ISO certified as they are mainly used in North America

Standard Container Sizes Used for Homes

20-Foot Standard Container

• Exterior length: 20 ft

• Exterior width: 8 ft

• Exterior height: 8 ft 6 in

20-foot containers are commonly used for:

• Studio homes

• Guest houses

• Backyard offices

• Utility or support modules

Their compact size makes them easier to transport and place on smaller sites.

40-Foot Standard Container

• Exterior length: 40 ft

• Exterior width: 8 ft

• Exterior height: 8 ft 6 in

40-foot containers are the most common choice for container homes. They provide significantly more interior space and are often used as:

• Primary living spaces

• Multi-room layouts

• Modular building blocks in multi-container homes

High-Cube Containers: Extra Ceiling Height

40 & 20 Foot High-Cube Container

• Exterior height: 9 ft 6 in (one foot taller than standard)

High-cube containers are a popular option for residential use because they allow:

• More interior headroom

• Deeper insulation assemblies

• Taller windows and doors

• A more traditional residential feel

For many clients, high-cube containers dramatically improve comfort and design flexibility.

53ft Containers: Railway and Highway Containers

They were developed to:

• Maximize cargo volume under U.S. highway limits

• Reduce the number of containers needed per shipment

• Work efficiently with double-stack rail cars

  
  

They’re extremely common for companies like Amazon, Walmart, UPS, and FedEx.

Why 53-Foot Containers Are Rarely Used for Homes

While it is possible to repurpose 53ft containers, they present challenges for residential builds:

• Limited availability outside freight networks

• More difficult and expensive to crane and transport

• Wider than ISO standards, making them harder to stack or combine with ISO containers

That’s why most container home builders stick with 20-ft and 40-ft ISO containers, especially high-cube versions.

Container Door Configurations

Single-End Door Containers

These containers have traditional cargo doors on one end only. They are the most common type and work well for:

• Simple layouts

• End-entry designs

• Multi-container builds where doors are removed or modified

Double-Door (Tunnel) Containers

Double-door containers feature full cargo doors on both ends. These are useful for:

• Through-layout designs

• Homes with opposing entrances

• Improved ventilation and daylight

• Flexible interior planning

Because of the additional openings, tunnel containers often require extra structural reinforcement when modified for residential use.

Open-Side Containers

Open-side containers have full-length doors along one side, allowing the entire wall to open. While less common and more expensive, they offer unique design opportunities such as:

• Large sliding glass wall systems

• Indoor-outdoor living concepts

• Commercial or mixed-use spaces

Due to their design, open-side containers require significant reinforcement when converted into homes.

One-Trip vs. Other Used Containers

While brand new containers are always an option, they’re not always necessary for container home construction. Used containers can be a great value and are graded into 4 classes: one-trip, cargo worthy, wind and water tight, and as-is.

In this article, we dive deeper into the differences between each container grade.

One-Trip Containers

• Used only once to ship cargo

• Minimal dents, corrosion, or wear

• Cleaner interior and exterior

  
  

One-trip containers are often preferred for residential projects due to their condition and longevity.

Used Containers

• More affordable

• May show some signs of wear from service

• Structurally sound but may require additional prep

• “Wind & water tight” containers are most popular for container home construction

Used containers can be a viable option depending on budget, aesthetics, and intended use.

Choosing the Right Container for Your Home

The “best” container depends on several factors, including:

• Desired ceiling height

• Interior layout goals

• Site access and transportation limits

• Local building requirements

• Budget considerations

At MicroBox Homes, we help clients evaluate these factors to select containers that make sense structurally and practically, not just visually.

Building Starts With the Right Container

Shipping container homes offer incredible flexibility, but that flexibility starts with choosing the right container type. Understanding the differences in size, height, and configuration helps ensure your home is comfortable, functional, and built to last.

Whether you’re planning a compact single-container space or a multi-container residence, MicroBox Homes provides the guidance and expertise needed to make informed decisions from day one.