53 ft container dimensions (domestic intermodal)
A 53 ft container is a North American domestic intermodal container for rail and road. It is about 52′ 6″ long, 99 in wide and 109 in high inside (16.01 m × 2.52 m × 2.78 m), roughly 3,970 cubic feet (112 m³). It weighs about 10,000 lb (4,540 kg) empty and fits 26–30 standard pallets in one layer. It is not used on ocean ships.
53 ft container specifications
| Imperial | Metric | |
|---|---|---|
| Outside length × width × height | 53′ × 8′ 6″ × 9′ 6″ | 16.15 × 2.59 × 2.90 m |
| Inside length | 52′ 6½″ | 16.01 m |
| Inside width | 99⅜″ | 2.52 m |
| Inside height | 109½″ | 2.78 m |
| Door opening (W × H) | 98″ × 109½″ | 2.49 × 2.78 m |
| Cubic capacity | about 3,970 ft³ | about 112 m³ |
| Tare weight | about 10,000 lb | about 4,540 kg |
| Max gross (container rating) | about 71,650 lb | about 32,500 kg |
| Standard pallets (48 × 40) | 26 straight, up to 30 turned | |
As with any US truck, the 80,000 lb gross vehicle limit usually sets the real cargo limit at roughly 42,000–45,000 lb on the highway.
53 ft container vs 40ft high cube
| 53 ft domestic | 40ft high cube (ISO) | |
|---|---|---|
| Inside volume | about 112 m³ | 76.0 m³ |
| Inside width | 2.52 m | 2.35 m |
| Cartons 60 × 40 × 40 cm | about 960 | 660 |
| Standard pallets, one layer | 26–30 | 20 |
| Used for | US, Canada and Mexico rail and truck | Ocean freight worldwide |
A 53 ft container holds about 1.5 times as much as a 40ft high cube. That is why importers often transload ocean containers into 53 ft containers or trailers near the port: three 40ft containers fit in about two 53 ft units.
53 ft container vs 53 ft trailer
Both carry about the same freight. A 53 ft dry van trailer has its own wheels and is pulled by a tractor; a 53 ft container is a box that sits on a chassis or is double-stacked on rail cars, which makes long-distance rail moves cheaper. Container walls and corner posts are stronger, so the inside is a little narrower than many trailers.
Plan a 53 ft load
Choose “53' Dry Van Trailer” in the load calculator for a close approximation, or see pallets on a 53 ft trailer for loading patterns.
Frequently asked questions
What are the inside dimensions of a 53 ft container?
About 52′ 6″ long, 99 in wide and 109 in high, depending on the fleet.
How many cubic feet is a 53 ft container?
About 3,800–4,000 ft³; a typical spec is 3,970 ft³.
How much does a 53 ft container weigh?
About 10,000 lb (4,540 kg) empty, depending on construction; some lighter builds are around 7,500 lb.
Are 53 ft containers used for ocean shipping?
No. They are domestic intermodal containers for rail and road in North America.