External Length – measured from the farthest points along the longest side of the container.The following details how each external measurement is taken: You do not want to restrict either the movement of your container coming in and out or the opening of doors. The external area needs to be carefully thought about as the space outside the container has more variables. Let’s not forget about the openings of containers either! We have a number of different shipping containers that can have a variety of openings installed, Side Opening Containers will need at least double the base width to get only half of the door open. Take a look at Port Shipping Containers has a Transport Guide to show you how containers are delivered. With the outside area a few more things should be considered, like will the box be able to conveniently be picked or moved around if needed? This means ample space above and around it. The internal size will be important to know for your contents going into the container, and the external size for the location or surrounding area your container will be placed. Being generally rectangular in shape and cubed, measures will include a width, height and length. A Container size should be considered as having two – and internal and external.