Shipping container dimensions and capacity guide
A 20′ standard container measures about 5.9 × 2.35 × 2.39 m inside and holds about 33 m³. A 40′ standard is about 12 m long inside with about 67 m³, and a 40′ high cube adds 30 cm of height for about 76 m³. Reefers, open tops and flat racks trade space for temperature control or oversized loading. All figures are typical and vary by manufacturer.
20′ Standard
20GP · ISO 22G1- Internal L × W × H
- 5.90 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m
- Door opening W × H
- 2.34 m × 2.28 m
- Capacity
- 33.2 m³
- Tare weight
- ≈ 2,230 kg
- Max payload
- ≈ 28,200 kg
40′ Standard
40GP · ISO 42G1- Internal L × W × H
- 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m
- Door opening W × H
- 2.34 m × 2.28 m
- Capacity
- 67.7 m³
- Tare weight
- ≈ 3,750 kg
- Max payload
- ≈ 26,700 kg
40′ High Cube
40HC · ISO 45G1- Internal L × W × H
- 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m
- Door opening W × H
- 2.34 m × 2.58 m
- Capacity
- 76.3 m³
- Tare weight
- ≈ 3,900 kg
- Max payload
- ≈ 26,500 kg
20′ Reefer
20RF · ISO 22R1- Internal L × W × H
- 5.44 m × 2.29 m × 2.27 m
- Door opening W × H
- 2.29 m × 2.26 m
- Capacity
- 28.3 m³
- Tare weight
- ≈ 3,050 kg
- Max payload
- ≈ 27,400 kg
40′ Reefer
40RF · ISO 45R1- Internal L × W × H
- 11.58 m × 2.29 m × 2.55 m
- Door opening W × H
- 2.29 m × 2.57 m
- Capacity
- 67.5 m³
- Tare weight
- ≈ 4,500 kg
- Max payload
- ≈ 29,500 kg
20′ Open Top
20OT · ISO 22U1- Internal L × W × H
- 5.89 m × 2.35 m × 2.35 m
- Door opening W × H
- 2.34 m × 2.27 m
- Capacity
- 32.5 m³
- Tare weight
- ≈ 2,350 kg
- Max payload
- ≈ 28,100 kg
40′ Open Top
40OT · ISO 42U1- Internal L × W × H
- 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.35 m
- Door opening W × H
- 2.34 m × 2.27 m
- Capacity
- 66.4 m³
- Tare weight
- ≈ 3,850 kg
- Max payload
- ≈ 26,600 kg
20′ Flat Rack
20FR · ISO 22P1- Internal L × W × H
- 5.61 m × 2.19 m × 2.23 m
- Door opening W × H
- No doors (open sides)
- Capacity
- —
- Tare weight
- ≈ 2,750 kg
- Max payload
- ≈ 31,250 kg
40′ Flat Rack
40FR · ISO 42P1- Internal L × W × H
- 11.65 m × 2.13 m × 1.96 m
- Door opening W × H
- No doors (open sides)
- Capacity
- —
- Tare weight
- ≈ 5,300 kg
- Max payload
- ≈ 39,700 kg
Typical figures from carrier equipment guides. Exact dimensions, tare and payload vary by manufacturer, build year and owner, and road or rail limits can be lower than the container rating. The data plate on the container door is the authoritative source for a specific unit.
Which container size do I need?
Most general cargo moves in 20′ or 40′ dry containers. A 20′ suits dense, heavy cargo such as tiles, steel or machinery parts, because it reaches its weight limit before it is full. A 40′ standard or 40′ high cube suits lighter, bulky cargo such as furniture, textiles or household goods. On many lanes the high cube costs about the same as a 40′ standard and gives roughly 12% more space, so it is the usual choice for volume cargo.
- Reefer (RF): chilled or frozen cargo. The cooling unit takes up part of the internal length.
- Open top (OT): cargo loaded by crane from above or taller than the door, covered with a tarpaulin.
- Flat rack (FR): heavy or out-of-gauge cargo such as machinery, vehicles or steel structures. Expect extra handling and lashing charges.
What is the difference between payload and gross weight?
Max gross is the maximum weight of the container plus its cargo, often 30,480 kg for dry boxes. Tare is the weight of the empty container. Payload is max gross minus tare: the most cargo you can load by container rating.
Road limits are usually the real constraint. Truck and axle-weight rules in China, the UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and East Africa can be well below the container rating, and under SOLAS the shipper must declare a verified gross mass (VGM) before the container is loaded. Tell us the cargo weight early so we can plan the right equipment and trucks.
How much space is really usable?
Cubic capacity is the empty internal volume. In practice cartons, pallets and bracing leave gaps, so plan on about 85% usable space: roughly 28 CBM in a 20′, 58 CBM in a 40′ and 68 CBM in a 40′ high cube.
On a single tier, a 20′ takes about 10 standard pallets (120 × 100 cm) or 11 Euro pallets (120 × 80 cm), and a 40′ takes about 20–21 standard pallets or 23–24 Euro pallets.
Will my cargo fit through the door?
The door opening is smaller than the internal height: about 2.28 m on a standard box and about 2.58 m on a high cube. Machinery or crates taller than the door need an open top or a flat rack, even if they would fit inside. Send us the dimensions or drawings and we will confirm the equipment before booking.
Frequently asked questions
What are the inside dimensions of a 40ft container?
A 40′ standard (40GP) is typically about 12.03 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high inside, with about 67 m³ of capacity. A 40′ high cube has the same length and width but about 2.69 m of internal height, giving about 76 m³.
How much weight can a 20ft container carry?
By container rating, typically about 28 tonnes of cargo: a maximum gross weight of 30,480 kg minus a tare of around 2.2 tonnes. Road weight limits at origin or destination are often lower, so the practical limit may be less.
What is the difference between 40GP and 40HC?
Both are 40 feet long and 8 feet wide. The high cube is one foot (about 30 cm) taller, giving around 76 m³ instead of 67 m³. It suits light, bulky cargo; for heavy cargo the extra height adds nothing.
Are these figures guaranteed?
No. They are typical published figures. Dimensions, tare and payload vary by manufacturer, build year and container owner. The data plate (CSC plate) on the container door is the authoritative source for a specific unit.
Next step
Not sure which equipment you need?
Send your cargo dimensions and weight. We will confirm the right container and send an itemised quote.
- One named coordinator on WhatsApp
- Itemised quote, no changes without your approval
- Replies in English, Arabic or Persian