Industrial & logistics · Reference
Standard shipping containers follow ISO 668: a 20ft is 6.06 m long, 2.44 m wide, 2.59 m high (33 m³); a 40ft doubles length to 12.19 m (67 m³); a 40ft High Cube raises height to 2.90 m (76 m³).
Containers follow ISO 668: width is fixed at 2.44 m (8 ft); length and height vary by type.
| Container | Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 6.058 m / 20 ft | 2.438 m / 8 ft | 2.591 m / 8 ft 6 in |
| 40ft standard | 12.192 m / 40 ft | 2.438 m / 8 ft | 2.591 m / 8 ft 6 in |
| 40ft High Cube | 12.192 m / 40 ft | 2.438 m / 8 ft | 2.896 m / 9 ft 6 in |
| 45ft High Cube | 13.716 m / 45 ft | 2.438 m / 8 ft | 2.896 m / 9 ft 6 in |
Source: Hapag-Lloyd Container Specification (external dimensions per ISO 668)
| Container | Internal L × W × H | Door opening (W × H) | Internal volume | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 5,900 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm | 2,340 × 2,292 mm | 33.2 m³ / 1,172 ft³ | 30,200 kg / 66,579 lb |
| 40ft standard | 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,395 mm | 2,340 × 2,292 mm | 67.7 m³ / 2,391 ft³ | 28,800 kg / 63,493 lb |
| 40ft High Cube | 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,700 mm | 2,340 × 2,597 mm | 76.3 m³ / 2,695 ft³ | 28,650 kg / 63,162 lb |
| 45ft High Cube | 13,556 × 2,352 × 2,700 mm | 2,340 × 2,597 mm | 86.0 m³ / 3,037 ft³ | 27,800 kg / 61,288 lb |
Source: Hapag-Lloyd Container Specification (nominal internal figures, standard variant)
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A 40ft floor-loads about 23–25 Euro pallets (1.2×0.8 m) or ~20–21 standard 1.0×1.2 m pallets in one layer; a 20ft holds ~11 Euro pallets or ~9–10 standard pallets. Actual counts depend on stacking and orientation.
Same length (12.192 m / 40 ft) and width (2.438 m / 8 ft). The High Cube is 2.896 m (9 ft 6 in) tall externally versus 2.591 m (8 ft 6 in), giving ~2.70 m internal height and ~76 m³ instead of ~67 m³.
Max gross weight is usually 32,500 kg (71,650 lb). Subtract tare — about 2.3 t for a 20ft and 3.7 t for a 40ft — for payload, so roughly 28–30 t. Road and rail limits at destination are often lower, so confirm before loading.
No. ISO 668 fixes only the external size. Internal dimensions, door openings and tare vary by manufacturer, carrier and floor type. A typical 20ft internal is ~5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m; verify the unit’s CSC plate for exact figures.
Roughly 33 m³ (1,172 ft³) for a 20ft standard, 67.7 m³ (2,391 ft³) for a 40ft standard, 76.3 m³ (2,695 ft³) for a 40ft High Cube, and 86 m³ (3,037 ft³) for a 45ft High Cube.
Every figure on this page is traced to a named source, linked under each table. Standard sizes come from published standards and established industry references; where a size is a typical range or varies by manufacturer, we say so. Sizes vary by region, model and revision — treat these as the standard reference, and confirm the exact spec of the item you are selling.
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