Container sizes and dimensionsContainer sizes: 20ft, 40ft and more.
The standard container sizes are 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube, with a 45ft high cube and special types such as reefers, open tops and flat racks. Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai, lists the inside dimensions, volume and payload of each type, explains how they vary by maker, and shows which one suits your cargo when shipping from Jebel Ali.
Inside dimensions, volume and payload
Click a row for details. Figures are typical inside measurements and approximate payloads. They vary by manufacturer and shipping line.
| Container | Inside L x W x H (m) | Volume (cubic metres) | Typical payload (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.90 x 2.35 x 2.39 | About 33 | About 28,000 | |
| 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.39 | About 67 | About 26,500 | |
| 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.69 | About 76 | About 26,500 | |
| 45ft high cube (45HC) | 13.56 x 2.35 x 2.69 | About 86 | About 27,500 |
| 5.45 x 2.29 x 2.26 | About 28 | About 27,000 | |
| 11.58 x 2.29 x 2.50 | About 66 | About 29,000 | |
| 5.89 x 2.35 x 2.35 | About 32 | About 28,000 | |
| 40ft open top | 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.35 | About 65 | About 26,500 |
| Platform, about 5.6 x 2.2 | Not applicable | About 31,000 | |
| Platform, about 12.0 x 2.1 | Not applicable | About 40,000 |
Approximate values. Always confirm the exact dimensions and the maximum payload with the shipping line, as they differ between makers.
Choosing the right container
Volume and weight both limit what fits. Heavy cargo fills the weight limit before the space.
- 01
Dense goods such as tiles, machinery parts and metal reach the payload limit before the space is full.
- 02
Twice the length, and often a lower cost per cubic metre for light, bulky goods.
- 03
About 30 cm of extra height gives more room for stacked or tall cargo.
- 04
Chilled or frozen goods need a powered reefer set to a fixed temperature.
- 05
For over-height or over-wide cargo that cannot go through the doors, such as machines.
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Check the door opening
Door openings are a little smaller than the inside height and width, so measure the biggest item.
TEU, FEU and payload
Shipping lines count capacity in standard units.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| TEU | Twenty-foot equivalent unit. A 20ft container is 1 TEU |
| FEU | Forty-foot equivalent unit. A 40ft container is 2 TEU |
| Tare weight | The weight of the empty container |
| Payload | The cargo weight the container can carry |
| Gross weight | Tare plus payload, shown on the container door |
| Cargo volume | Work it out from packages with our cargo volume and weight calculator |
The usable volume is often lower than the full inside volume, because cartons and pallets do not fill every corner.
Container sizes questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsAsk a freight questionAbout 5.90 metres long, 2.35 wide and 2.39 high, giving around 33 cubic metres. The payload is roughly 28,000 kg. These figures vary a little by manufacturer, so confirm the exact numbers with the shipping line before planning how cargo will be loaded.
- Door opening is slightly smaller.
- Weight can limit before space.
The height. A 40ft high cube is about 30 cm taller than a standard 40ft, with an inside height near 2.69 metres against 2.39. That adds around nine cubic metres. Length and width are the same, and the payload is similar.
- 40HC suits tall or stacked cartons.
- Check the height clearance.
Typically about 26,500 kg of cargo. This depends on the maker and the shipping line, so ask for the exact figure on your booking. The weight limit is often reached before the volume. A 20ft box can carry more weight than a 40ft because its own weight is smaller.
- Confirm with the shipping line.
- Road rules may limit the truck load.
Open top and flat rack containers. An open top is loaded by crane through the roof, and a flat rack has no roof or side walls. Both carry machinery and items too tall or wide for standard doors. Out-of-gauge cargo needs special planning.
- Overheight cargo costs more.
- Ask us for a quote first.