Container Reference
Container Dimensions
20ft · 40ft · 40ft HC
Internal and external dimensions, door opening, tare, max payload and volume (CBM) for the three most common dry containers. Figures follow ISO standards and vary slightly by carrier and manufacturer.
Dimensions at a glance
Standard dry container comparison (cm, kg, CBM)
| Spec | 20ft | 40ft | 40ft HC |
|---|---|---|---|
| External (L×W×H) | 606 × 244 × 259 | 1219 × 244 × 259 | 1219 × 244 × 290 |
| Internal (L×W×H) | 589 × 235 × 239 | 1203 × 235 × 239 | 1203 × 235 × 269 |
| Door (W×H) | 234 × 228 | 234 × 228 | 234 × 258 |
| Tare | ~2,300 | ~3,750 | ~3,900 |
| Max payload | ~21,700 | ~26,700 | ~26,500 |
| Volume | 33.1 CBM | 67.5 CBM | 76.0 CBM |
Which to choose
20ft
Best for heavy, dense cargo that hits the weight limit first — machinery, steel, stone. Roughly half the volume of a 40ft but a similar payload.
40ft
The workhorse. Over twice the volume of a 20ft with a similar weight limit, so it wins for light, bulky cargo.
40ft HC
Same length and width as a 40ft but ~30cm taller inside (~76 CBM). Ideal for tall or high-volume, low-density loads.
What the spec table does not spell out
The door opening is the real limit, not the internal height. A 40ft box is 239 cm inside but the doors are 228 cm — eleven centimetres lower, and a centimetre narrower. Those are two adjacent rows in the table, but for tall cargo they decide whether the shipment loads at all. The 40ft HC has the same gap: 269 cm inside, 258 cm through the doors.
Treat maximum payload as a candidate figure, not a ceiling. The number above is the structural rating of the box. What you can actually load is the lowest of that rating, your carrier's policy, and the axle and gross weight limits on the roads at each end. The CSC plate on the container door carries the rating for that specific box, which is worth checking when you are close to the limit.
See how many units actually fit
Enter your cargo dimensions and the calculator works out the piece count, CBM and weight limits for 20ft, 40ft and 40ft HC — with a layout drawing. Free.
Open the Loading CalculatorFAQ
Common questions about container dimensions
What are the internal dimensions of a 20ft container?
About 589 × 235 × 239 cm (L×W×H), roughly 33.1 CBM. Figures vary slightly by manufacturer and carrier.
What is the difference between a 40ft and a 40ft HC?
Length and width are identical; only internal height differs — about 239cm for a standard 40ft vs 269cm for the HC, ~30cm taller, raising volume from ~67.5 to ~76 CBM.
What is the max payload of a 20ft container?
Roughly 21–24 tonnes, but it varies widely by carrier, route and road weight limits. Always confirm with your carrier before shipping.