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Shipping Container Specifications Reference (20ft, 40ft, High Cube, Reefer)

Choosing the right container is the first step in every export booking. This table lists the typical internal dimensions, cubic capacity, tare and payload of the container types logistics coordinators book most often, so you can check whether a load fits before you ask for a quote.

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Container type	Internal length (m)	Internal width (m)	Internal height (m)	Approx. capacity (cbm)	Typical tare (kg)	Typical payload (kg)	Typical use
20ft general purpose (20GP)	5.90	2.35	2.39	33	2,200 to 2,300	about 28,000	Dense or heavy cargo: machinery, metals, bagged goods
40ft general purpose (40GP)	12.03	2.35	2.39	67	3,700 to 3,800	about 26,700	General palletised and cartoned freight
40ft high cube (40HC)	12.03	2.35	2.69	76	3,900 to 4,000	about 26,500	Light, bulky or tall cargo; the most common 40ft box
45ft high cube (45HC)	13.56	2.35	2.69	86	4,800 to 5,000	about 27,500	Very light bulky cargo; not available on every trade lane
20ft reefer (20RF)	5.44	2.29	2.27	28	2,900 to 3,100	about 27,400	Temperature controlled cargo, pharma, food, some electronics
40ft high cube reefer (40RH)	11.58	2.29	2.50	67	4,000 to 4,800	about 29,000	Large temperature controlled loads
20ft open top (20OT)	5.89	2.35	2.35	32	2,300 to 2,400	about 28,000	Over-height cargo loaded by crane through the roof
40ft open top (40OT)	12.03	2.35	2.35	65	4,000 to 4,100	about 26,000	Long machinery, loaded from above
20ft flat rack (20FR)	5.62	2.20	2.23	n/a	2,700 to 2,900	about 31,000	Out-of-gauge machinery, no side walls
40ft flat rack (40FR)	12.08	2.40	2.00	n/a	5,000 to 5,500	about 39,000	Heavy or oversize project cargo

Values are typical industry figures and vary by manufacturer, age and shipping line. Always confirm door opening, tare and maximum gross weight on the container's CSC plate and with your carrier before you plan a load.

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How to use this table

Type a container code or word such as 40HC, reefer or flat rack into the search box to filter rows. Compare the internal dimensions with your packed cargo dimensions, then compare the payload with your gross cargo weight. Export the filtered rows to Excel or PDF to attach to a booking request or a load plan. Remember that usable volume is lower than the nominal cubic capacity because pallets, dunnage and door clearance waste space.

Check length, width and height of the packed cargo, not the product.
Use payload, not capacity, as the weight limit.
Leave a margin for lashing, dunnage and door clearance.
Confirm the box type is offered on your trade lane.

Where the numbers come from

Containers follow ISO 668 external dimensions and ISO 1496 strength and test requirements, so the external size is fixed: 8 ft wide, 8 ft 6 in tall for a standard box and 9 ft 6 in tall for a high cube. Internal dimensions depend on wall thickness and flooring, which is why every manufacturer quotes slightly different numbers. Payload is maximum gross mass minus tare. Maximum gross mass for most 20ft and 40ft boxes is around 30,480 kg, although local road and rail limits often cap the real loaded weight lower.

Worked example and common mistakes

A shipment of 22 pallets, each 1.2 m by 1.0 m by 1.2 m high and 800 kg, is 26.4 cbm and 17,600 kg. It fits a 20ft by volume, but pallets are floor-limited: a 20ft floor holds roughly 10 to 11 pallets of that footprint in one layer, so you need a 40ft. Frequent mistakes are ignoring floor area, forgetting that road weight limits in the destination country may be below the container payload, and assuming a 45ft is available everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 40ft and a 40ft high cube container?

Both are about 12 m long and 2.35 m wide inside. The high cube is roughly 30 cm taller, at about 2.69 m internal height versus 2.39 m, which adds around 9 cbm. It is useful for light, bulky or tall cargo and is the more common 40ft box today.

How many cubic metres can I really load in a 20ft container?

Nominal capacity is about 33 cbm, but practical loadable volume is usually lower, often 25 to 30 cbm for palletised cargo, because of pallet footprint, dunnage and door clearance. Loose cartons that are floor loaded can get closer to the nominal figure.

Why is payload lower in a reefer than a dry container?

A reefer carries a refrigeration unit and insulated walls, so tare is higher and the internal space is smaller. Payload can still be similar because maximum gross mass is the same, but usable volume is typically 10 to 15 percent less than a dry box of equal length.

Are these figures exact?

No. They are typical values. Manufacturers and shipping lines publish slightly different internal dimensions and tare weights, and the CSC safety approval plate on the container shows its actual maximum gross mass and tare. Confirm with your carrier for any tight fit.

If your ERP holds item dimensions and weights, the same container fit can be calculated automatically on every shipment. Netray can help you wire that into your planning or shipping module.

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