Illustrated container comparisonDimensions, volume and payloadWhich container type do you need?How to choose the right sizeCalculate your shipment volume
Illustrated container comparison
20-foot standard
33.2 m³ internal volume- Length × width × height
- 5.900 × 2.352 × 2.395 m
- Door opening
- 2.340 × 2.292 m
- Example payload
- 28130 kg
Compact loads: check weight as well as volume.
40-foot standard
67.7 m³ internal volume- Length × width × height
- 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.395 m
- Door opening
- 2.340 × 2.292 m
- Example payload
- 28750 kg
Extra length for larger consignments.
40-foot high cube
76.3 m³ internal volume- Length × width × height
- 12.032 × 2.350 × 2.700 m
- Door opening
- 2.340 × 2.597 m
- Example payload
- 28600 kg
Extra height for bulky cargo.
45-foot high cube
86.0 m³ internal volume- Length × width × height
- 13.556 × 2.352 × 2.700 m
- Door opening
- 2.340 × 2.597 m
- Example payload
- 27700 kg
Additional length and height; confirm route availability.
Dimensions, volume and payload
| Container | Internal length × width × height (m) | Door width × height (m) | Volume (m³) | Tare (kg) | Example payload (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-foot standard | 5.900 × 2.352 × 2.395 | 2.340 × 2.292 | 33.2 | 2350 | 28130 |
| 40-foot standard | 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.395 | 2.340 × 2.292 | 67.7 | 3750 | 28750 |
| 40-foot high cube | 12.032 × 2.350 × 2.700 | 2.340 × 2.597 | 76.3 | 3900 | 28600 |
| 45-foot high cube | 13.556 × 2.352 × 2.700 | 2.340 × 2.597 | 86.0 | 4800 | 27700 |
These are examples of carrier equipment, not a guarantee of the unit supplied. Dimensions and weights vary by manufacturer. Confirm the assigned container, its safety plate and the limits of every road, rail and sea leg.
Volume is the geometric space inside the container. Tare is the weight of the empty equipment; payload is the permitted cargo weight. Gross weight combines both. More space does not necessarily mean a higher payload. Packaging, gaps and securing materials reduce usable capacity. A piece may fit inside but still be too tall or wide for the door.
Which container type do you need?
20-foot standard
A practical starting point for compact loads. Check weight distribution and loading equipment rather than choosing solely by the number of boxes.
40-foot standard
Roughly twice the internal volume of the 20-foot example. Plan how pieces will be placed, secured and unloaded.
40-foot high cube
Additional internal height suits bulky loads. Check the packed item against the door opening as well as the interior.
45-foot high cube
More length than a 40-foot high cube. Confirm equipment availability, vehicle access and lifting arrangements on the chosen route.
Reefer, open-top and flat-rack equipment
Temperature-controlled goods or oversized pieces may require specialist equipment. Provide cargo details, drawings, lifting points and packing specifications. The dry-container figures above do not describe the capacity of specialist equipment.
How to choose the right size
- List every piece, its packed external dimensions and gross weight.
- Identify non-stackable, fragile or orientation-sensitive pieces.
- Check access, dock height, forklift or crane availability at both ends.
- Plan loading, weight distribution, securing and unloading.
- Confirm the actual equipment and permitted payload before loading.
For a smaller shipment, compare LCL shared-container shipping with FCL. Include consolidation, handling, packing, transit time and destination charges in the comparison.
Calculate your shipment volume
Multiply length × width × height in metres for each packed piece, then add the results. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm box occupies 0.096 m³; twenty identical boxes total 1.92 m³.
This is geometric package volume, not a loading plan. Include pallets and protective packaging. Non-stackable cargo, uneven shapes and securing space can increase the space required.