Container Shipping Guide
Shipping Container Dimensions: 20ft, 40ft & High Cube
Shipping container dimensions differ between standard-height and high-cube equipment. For the dry containers covered here, outside reference sizes are about 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m for a 20ft standard, 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m for a 40ft standard, and 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 m for a 40ft high cube. These measurements are length × width × height.
For freight planning, compare the outside dimensions, internal cargo space and door opening separately. This guide puts the three options side by side in metric and approximate imperial units, then explains what to check for packed pallets, crates and commercial cargo.
Shipping Container Dimensions at a Glance
The outside rows below are standard exterior reference sizes. The inside, door and capacity rows are published Hapag-Lloyd fleet examples; these measurements can vary between containers. Confirm the required clearances when booking and check the allocated equipment before loading.
Swipe or scroll horizontally to compare all three sizes.
| Measurement | 20ft standard | 40ft standard | 40ft high cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside length | 6.058 m/ about 19 ft 10½ in | 12.192 m/ 40 ft | 12.192 m/ 40 ft |
| Outside width | 2.438 m/ about 8 ft | 2.438 m/ about 8 ft | 2.438 m/ about 8 ft |
| Outside height | 2.591 m/ about 8 ft 6 in | 2.591 m/ about 8 ft 6 in | 2.896 m/ about 9 ft 6 in |
| Inside length | 5.900 m/ about 19 ft 4¼ in | 12.032 m/ about 39 ft 5⅝ in | 12.032 m/ about 39 ft 5⅝ in |
| Inside width | 2.352 m/ about 7 ft 8⅝ in | 2.352 m/ about 7 ft 8⅝ in | 2.350 m/ about 7 ft 8½ in |
| Inside height | 2.395 m/ about 7 ft 10¼ in | 2.395 m/ about 7 ft 10¼ in | 2.700 m/ about 8 ft 10¼ in |
| Door opening width | 2.340 m/ about 7 ft 8⅛ in | 2.340 m/ about 7 ft 8⅛ in | 2.340 m/ about 7 ft 8⅛ in |
| Door opening height | 2.292 m/ about 7 ft 6¼ in | 2.292 m/ about 7 ft 6¼ in | 2.597 m/ about 8 ft 6¼ in |
| Published cubic capacity | 33.2 m³/ about 1,172 ft³ | 67.7 m³/ about 2,390 ft³ | 76.3 m³/ about 2,694 ft³ |
Reading the figures: Metric measurements are the reference for comparisons in this guide. Imperial figures are approximate; the carrier's published inside, doorway and capacity equivalents are retained. Cubic capacity is not a promise that the same volume of packaged cargo can be loaded.
Reference basis: BIC container size-code reference for exterior size classes; Hapag-Lloyd's 20ft standard example, 40ft standard example and 40ft high-cube example for internal dimensions, door openings, capacity and the weights below. Specifications checked September 26, 2026.
20ft standard
Outside length: 6.058 m
Outside width: 2.438 m
Outside height: 2.591 m
40ft standard
Outside length: 12.192 m
Outside width: 2.438 m
Outside height: 2.591 m
40ft high cube
Outside length: 12.192 m
Outside width: 2.438 m
Outside height: 2.896 m
20-Foot Shipping Container Dimensions
“20-foot” is a nominal size name, not 20 feet of usable interior length. The exterior reference length is 6.058 m. Hapag-Lloyd's selected 20ft example has internal dimensions of 5.900 × 2.352 × 2.395 m (length × width × height) and a published capacity of 33.2 m³.
Its door opening is 2.340 m wide × 2.292 m high, lower than the 2.395 m internal ceiling. A tall crate can be lower than that ceiling yet too tall to enter upright. Check its finished packed height against the doorway before considering the space beyond it.
40-Foot Shipping Container Dimensions
Hapag-Lloyd's selected standard 40ft example has internal dimensions of 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.395 m (length × width × height) and a published capacity of 67.7 m³. Its internal length is substantially greater than the 20ft example's 5.900 m, while capacity increases from 33.2 m³.
It does not solve every size problem. The standard 20ft and 40ft examples share the same 2.340 m wide × 2.292 m high door opening, as well as the same internal width and height. Moving to a longer container will not fix a crate that cannot pass through that doorway upright.
Compare the dimension that limits your shipment—not just the larger container's total capacity.
40-Foot High-Cube Container Dimensions
A 40ft high cube has a standard exterior reference height of 2.896 m, compared with 2.591 m for a standard-height container: approximately one extra foot. Hapag-Lloyd's selected high-cube example has internal dimensions of 12.032 × 2.350 × 2.700 m (length × width × height), a 2.340 m wide × 2.597 m high door opening and a published capacity of 76.3 m³.
A 40ft high cube has the same exterior length and width as a standard 40ft container. Its extra height can help with tall packed pieces or cargo that can use vertical space; it does not automatically create more single-tier pallet positions.
A high cube is not automatically a higher-payload container. Check the actual weight rating and transport requirements alongside the dimensions. The weight comparison below keeps those limits separate from cubic capacity.
Will Your Packed Cargo Fit?
A dimensions table is a starting point, not a loading approval. Check each finished package against the opening and usable space, then review how the complete shipment will be handled and arranged.
1. Measure the Packed Dimensions
Record length, width and height for each finished pallet, crate or package, with the units clearly stated. Include skids, wrapping, protective packaging and any overhang. Identify pieces that must remain upright. When package sizes differ, provide a line for each size rather than one average measurement.
2. Check Doorway and Handling Clearance
Compare the package's entry width and height with the door opening, not just the interior. The loading method also needs clearance; a small numerical gap is not proof that equipment can move the cargo through safely. Flag close-clearance pieces for review rather than assuming they can be tilted or forced through.
3. Review Floor Arrangement and Stacking
Total cubic volume does not show whether the packages can be arranged together. Provide the actual footprints and state whether anything can be stacked, what may be placed above it and what must remain accessible. Space may also be needed for securing and handling. Do not assume stackability from a container's extra height.
4. Check Weight and Transport Limits
Provide individual packed weights and the total shipment weight. The review must consider the load distribution, allocated equipment and inland transport requirements—not only a published container payload. Include additional securing materials in the completed load assessment.
Worked example: eight upright crates
Hypothetical size-screening illustration—not a BriCargo shipment or a loading plan.
Suppose eight packed crates must remain upright. Each measures 1.10 × 0.90 × 2.36 m and weighs 900 kg, including its skid and packaging.
Their combined volume is 8 × 1.10 × 0.90 × 2.36 ≈ 18.69 m³, or 18.69 CBM. Their combined packed weight is 7,200 kg, before additional securing materials. Looking only at the 20ft example's 33.2 m³ capacity would miss the height problem:
Swipe or scroll horizontally to read the full comparison.
| Container example | Comparison with the 2,360 mm packed height | What this tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | Internal height 2,395 mm; door height 2,292 mm | The crate is 35 mm below the internal ceiling but 68 mm taller than the doorway. It cannot pass upright through the listed opening. |
| 40ft standard | Internal height 2,395 mm; door height 2,292 mm | More length does not fix the same 68 mm doorway-height shortfall. |
| 40ft high cube | Door height 2,597 mm | The listed doorway is 237 mm taller than the crate. This warrants further review; it does not confirm handling clearance or successful loading. |
The high-cube comparison still leaves the floor arrangement, stacking restrictions, loading method and actual equipment to be checked. Although 7,200 kg is below all three example payloads, that alone does not approve the load distribution or inland movement.
Standard 20ft / 40ft example
Door opening height: 2,292 mm
Upright crate height: 2,360 mm
Crate is 68 mm taller than the doorway.
40ft high-cube example
Door opening height: 2,597 mm
Upright crate height: 2,360 mm
Doorway is 237 mm taller than the crate. Handling clearance still needs review.
Need to check your own cargo? Request a container freight quote with your actual packed dimensions and weights, and flag any pieces that must remain upright or need a doorway-clearance review.
Pallets, Cubic Capacity and Weight Limits
CBM means cubic metres. Calculate a rectangular package's volume using its finished length × width × height in metres, then add the package volumes. That total describes the cargo's volume; it does not account for every gap between pieces, doorway restriction or loading requirement.
There is no single pallet count that applies to every shipment. Pallet footprint, overhang, orientation, stacking permissions and weight all affect the arrangement. A quoted capacity in cubic metres cannot replace those details.
Weight terms answer different questions. Tare is the empty container's weight. Maximum gross weight is the stated limit for the container and its load together. Maximum payload is the rated load allowance after subtracting tare from maximum gross. Cargo, packaging and securing materials must stay within that allowance; it is not additional weight on top of the gross limit.
Swipe or scroll horizontally to compare the weights.
| Hapag-Lloyd example | Tare | Maximum gross | Maximum payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 2,350 kg | 30,480 kg | 28,130 kg |
| 40ft standard | 3,750 kg | 32,500 kg | 28,750 kg |
| 40ft high cube | 3,900 kg | 32,500 kg | 28,600 kg |
These are the same carrier examples referenced above, not universal limits for every container or transport route. In the standard 40ft row, 32,500 − 3,750 = 28,750 kg. The high cube has more cubic capacity but a slightly lower payload in this example.
A smaller shipment may also warrant a shared-container option rather than a dedicated container. Compare LCL and FCL shipping for the separate method decision; there is no universal CBM cutoff that chooses it for every shipment. Calculate your shipping volume.
Prepare Your Container Freight Enquiry
BriCargo coordinates full-container and shared-container shipments through its ocean freight services. For a commercial shipment from Canada, send the cargo information below so the enquiry addresses your actual packages, route and handling needs.
Cargo details to copy into your enquiry
Origin and destination:
Cargo description and package count:
Packed length × width × height of each package, with units:
Packed weight of each package and total shipment weight:
Stacking limits and any must-remain-upright pieces:
Preferred container size, high-cube request, or advice needed:
Cargo-ready date:
Pickup/delivery addresses, access and loading/unloading facilities:
Packing list and cargo photos attached, where available:
Use Comments on the quote form for the package measurements, handling notes and container preference, including a high-cube request or uncertainty about the size. Use Upload Files for a packing list or supporting cargo photos. BriCargo can then discuss the equipment request and quotation requirements with you; equipment and shipment suitability remain subject to review.
Planning a container shipment? Send your packed cargo details and destination to Request a container freight quote