---
title: "door opening: Definition and Meaning | NPSA"
description: "Door opening is the width and height of the clear opening when a container's doors are open."
url: https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/door-opening
publisher: National Portable Storage Association (NPSA)
phone: "(816) 960-6552"
email: info@npsa.org
---

Dimensions and weight

# door opening

Door opening is the width and height of the clear opening when a container's doors are open. It is smaller than the container's inside width and height because of the door frame and header. Carrier specs list door opening separately from inside size.

## Why it matters

Door opening is the real limit for what goes in. A carrier lists a dry 20-foot container door opening at about 7 feet 8 inches wide and 7 feet 6 inches high. A high cube opens to about 8 feet 6 inches high. Large furniture, machinery or a vehicle may fit inside but not pass through the door. A common mistake is to size items by the inside height. Measure the item against the door opening, and allow room for a forklift or pallet jack. Open top and side door units give other access routes. Ask which type fits your item before you reserve.

[Read: Portable storage container sizes: What size do you need?](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/what-size-portable-storage-container)

Definition source: [one-line.com](https://www.one-line.com/container-information)

## Related terms

[### internal dimensions Internal dimensions are the length, width and height of the usable space inside a container. They are smaller than the outside size because of wall thickness, floor and roof structure. ISO 1496 is the authoritative document for internal container dimensions.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/internal-dimensions)[### cargo door A cargo door is one of the two hinged steel doors at the end of a standard shipping container. The doors close on rubber gaskets and lock with vertical locking bars. They are the main way in and out of a container.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/cargo-door)[### high cube container A high cube container is a container that is taller than standard, usually 9 feet 6 inches tall outside, compared with 8 feet 6 inches for a standard unit. It is often written HC or HQ. The extra height adds inside room.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/high-cube-container)[### standard container A standard container is a regular-height dry container, usually 8 feet 6 inches tall outside, as opposed to a high cube. Carrier listings give dry 20-foot and 40-foot specifications at 8 feet 6 inches. Sellers use the word standard with some variation.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/standard-container)[### side door container A side door container, also called an open side or side access container, has doors along the long side as well as at the end. Sea Box lists a 20-foot ISO container with one full side opening. It gives wide access to the whole length of the box.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/side-door-container)[### open top container An open top container is a container with a removable or open roof, so cargo can be loaded from above by crane or lift. It is made for tall or heavy items. Carrier listings include open tops in 20-foot, 40-foot and 40-foot high cube sizes.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/open-top-container)

[All 220 terms](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary)

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