Looking for common shipping container specs? Find out the weight and dimensions of 20ft & 40ft standard and high-cube containers.
Today, due to the rise of international trade, approximately 80% of goods are carried by sea. In the past year alone, about 65 million shipping containers were in use worldwide!
The most common containers are standard 20-foot and 40-foot containers. As a shipper, it’s important to know the standard container specs and dimensions so that you can better plan ahead.
Keep in mind that, among other things, container dimensions, weight, and capacity play a key role in determining cargo transportation costs.
Quick Overview (TL;DR)
The article breaks down the dimensions, weights, and capacities of 20-foot and 40-foot containers, including standard and high-cube variations to aid in planning shipments effectively.
20-foot containers (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) are cost-effective and flexible, ideal for smaller shipments or restricted storage spaces.
40-foot containers are designed for larger or bulkier cargo and offer nearly double the volume of a 20-foot unit.
Understanding container specs, size, weight, and capacity, is essential for budgeting transport costs and ensuring compliance with road weight limits.
20ft & 40ft Shipping Container Specs
20-foot and 40-foot containers are used to transport all different kinds of ocean freight movements.
- 20ft containers are typically the best option for smaller shipments and offer lower total costs.
- 40ft containers are better suited for high-volume or oversized loads.
Shippers must also consider local weight restrictions for drayage and road transport. In many cases, it’s more efficient to avoid loading a container at full capacity to facilitate drayage and intermodal transportation from the point of origin to destination.
Below is a concise table of 20-foot and 40-foot container dimensions and weights, including high-cube specifications:
| Container Spec | 20′ Container | 20′ High-Cube | 40′ Container | 40′ High-Cube |
| Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19’10.5″ x 8′ x 8’6″ | 20′ 0″ x 8′ 0″ x 9′ 6″ | 40′ x 8′ x 8’6″ | 40′ x 8′ x 9’6″ |
| Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19’3″ x 7’8″ x 7’10” | 19′ 4″ x 7′ 9″ x 8′ 10″ | 39’5″ x 7’8″ x 7’10” | 39′ 5″ x 7′ 8″ x 8′ 10″ |
| Volume | 1,170 cubic feet | 1,320 cu ft | 2,385 cubic feet | 3,040 cu ft |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 7’8″ x 7’5″ | 7′ 8″ x 8′ 5″ | 7’8″ x 7’5″ | 7′ 8″ x 8′ 5″ |
| Square Footage | 150 sq ft | 150 sq ft | 300 sq ft | 304 sq ft |
| Tare Weight* (Approx.) | 5,070 lb | 5,500 lb | 8,000 lb | 8,500 lb |
| Max Payload Weight (Transport via NY port) | 38,000 lb | 38,000 lb | 44,000 lb | 44,000 lb |
20ft Container Size
The standard 20-foot shipping container is widely used for ocean freight.
- External Dimensions: These containers measure approximately 19’10.5″ x 8′ x 8’6″ (6.06m x 2.44m x 2.59m)
- Internal Dimensions: Inside, the 20ft container measures roughly 19’4″ x 7’8.5″ x 7’10” (5.89m x 2.35m x 2.39m)
- Doorway Opening: The container doorway is 7’8″ wide x 7’6″ high (2.34m x 2.28m)
How Much Does A 20ft Shipping Container Weigh?
The average tare weight of a 20-foot shipping container weight is 5,070 lbs (2,300 kg), but the exact weight varies among manufacturers and materials.
However, when shipping overseas, carriers calculate a container’s tare weight and its payload weight, i.e., the gross weight of the cargo.
- Container Weight (Tare Weight): An empty 20ft container weighs ~5,070 lbs (2,300 kg)
- Cargo Capacity (Payload Capacity): Up to about 47,840 lbs (21,700 kg).
- Volume: A 20ft container holds approximately 1,172 cubic feet (33 cubic meters).
- Pallet Capacity: It can fit ~10 standard pallets or ~11 Euro pallets
- 20′ Container Total Weight Limit: The total weight of the container (including its cargo) should not exceed approx. 52,910 lbs (24,000 kg).
Another type of 20ft container, the high-cube, offers one extra foot in height.
20-Foot High Cube Shipping Container – Weight & Height
This is a good option if you wish to ship taller items or need to stack more goods than can fit in a conventional 20-foot container.
- Tare Weight: ~5,100 lbs (2,313 kg)
- Height: 9’6″ (approx. 3m)
20-Foot Reefer Shipping Container – Weight & Capacity
Reefer containers are used for temperature-controlled and perishable goods.
- Tare Weight: ~6,791 lbs (3,080 kg)
- Lower payload capacity due to insulation and refrigeration equipment.
40ft Shipping Container Dimensions
The 40’ are big-sized containers used by companies that ship large quantities of goods.
- 40’ Containers – External Dimensions: About 40 feet (12.19 meters) long, 8 feet (2.44 meters) wide, and 8 feet/6 inches (2.59 meters) high.
- Internal Dimensions: Inside, the 40’ container is approximately 39 feet/5 inches (12.02 meters) long, 7 feet/8.5 inches (2.35 meters) wide, and 7 feet/10 inches (2.39 meters) high.
- Doorway Opening: The door opening is the same size as a 20ft container, i.e., width: 7 feet/8 inches (2.34 meters), height: 7 feet/6 inches (2.28 meters).
How Much Does A 40′ Shipping Container Weigh?
- 40’ Container Weight Limit: Around 67,200 lbs (30,480 kg).
- Empty Weight (Tare Weight): A 40ft container weighs about 8,265 lbs (3,750 kg) when empty.
- Cargo Capacity (Payload Capacity): The 40’ container can hold up to 58,935 lbs (26,730 kg) of cargo.
- Volume: Roughly 2,366 cubic feet (67 cubic meters)
- Pallet Capacity: It can fit around 22 standard pallets or 24 Euro pallets.
The high cube type is slightly higher.
40-Foot High Cube Container
A 40ft high-cube container provides extra vertical space for taller or oversized items.
- Height: 9’6″ (2.89m)
- Tare Weight: ~8,421 lbs (3,820 kg)
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