Container Dimensions Guide
Internal and external dimensions, CBM capacity, max payload, and tare weight for every standard container type
| Container | External (L × W × H) | Internal (L × W × H) | CBM | Max payload | Tare weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20DC 20dc | - | - | - | - | - | - |
20HC 20hc | - | - | - | - | - | - |
20OT 20ot | - | - | - | - | - | - |
20RF 20rf | - | - | - | - | - | - |
40DC 40dc | - | - | - | - | - | - |
40HC 40hc | - | - | - | - | - | - |
40OT 40ot | - | - | - | - | - | - |
40RF 40rf | - | - | - | - | - | - |
45HC 45hc | - | - | - | - | - | - |
External
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Internal
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Volume
-
Max payload
-
Tare weight
-
-
External
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Internal
-
Volume
-
Max payload
-
Tare weight
-
-
External
-
Internal
-
Volume
-
Max payload
-
Tare weight
-
-
External
-
Internal
-
Volume
-
Max payload
-
Tare weight
-
-
External
-
Internal
-
Volume
-
Max payload
-
Tare weight
-
-
External
-
Internal
-
Volume
-
Max payload
-
Tare weight
-
-
External
-
Internal
-
Volume
-
Max payload
-
Tare weight
-
-
External
-
Internal
-
Volume
-
Max payload
-
Tare weight
-
-
External
-
Internal
-
Volume
-
Max payload
-
Tare weight
-
-
Explore Container Models in 3D
Select a container type to view its interactive 3D model with dimension lines
Compare Container Sizes
Select two containers to compare their dimensions, capacity, and weight side by side
How to choose the right container
20ft vs 40ft - when does 20ft make sense?
A 20ft container costs roughly 60–70% of a 40ft box on most routes, but only holds about 49% of the volume. Use a 20ft when your cargo is heavy and dense and you hit the weight limit before the space limit.
Standard vs High Cube - the 30cm difference
A 40ft High Cube is 30cm taller internally than a standard 40ft (2.70m vs 2.39m). That adds roughly 8.6 CBM - about 13% more volume. Use High Cube for anything taller than 2.2m or for lightweight cargo where you want to maximize volume.
Dry vs Reefer - usable space
Reefer containers have significantly less internal volume than dry boxes of the same external size. The refrigeration machinery takes up roughly 0.5m of length, and insulation reduces all interior dimensions. A 40ft reefer holds about 59.8 CBM compared to 67.7 CBM for a standard 40ft dry.
Container Dimensions - Frequently Asked Questions
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