Choosing the right container size saves money and avoids problems at loading. This guide gives the standard shipping container dimensions for the 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube containers, in metres and feet, plus how many CBM and pallets really fit, the weight limits, and how to pick the right size for your shipment from China.
Key points
• A 20ft container holds about 33 CBM, a 40ft about 67 CBM and a 40ft high cube about 76 CBM.
• In practice you can load about 25–28 CBM, 55–58 CBM and 65–68 CBM, because cartons never fill every gap.
• A 40ft high cube is the same length as a 40ft but about 30 cm taller, which suits light, bulky goods.
• A 20ft container fits 10 standard pallets or 11 Euro pallets on the floor.
• Below about 15 CBM, LCL (shared container) is usually cheaper than a full container.
Container Sizes at a Glance
The chart compares the inside length and height of the three most common containers. All three have the same inside width of about 2.35 m.
| 20ft standard | 40ft standard | 40ft high cube | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside length | 5.90 m (19 ft 4 in) | 12.03 m (39 ft 6 in) | 12.03 m (39 ft 6 in) |
| Inside width | 2.35 m (7 ft 9 in) | 2.35 m (7 ft 9 in) | 2.35 m (7 ft 9 in) |
| Inside height | 2.39 m (7 ft 10 in) | 2.39 m (7 ft 10 in) | 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in) |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.58 m |
| Outside (L × W × H) | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 m |
| Capacity | about 33 CBM | about 67 CBM | about 76 CBM |
| Usable volume (cartons) | about 25–28 CBM | about 55–58 CBM | about 65–68 CBM |
| Empty weight (tare) | about 2,200–2,300 kg | about 3,700–3,800 kg | about 3,800–4,000 kg |
| Max cargo weight | about 28,000 kg | about 26,500–28,500 kg | about 26,500–28,500 kg |
These are standard ISO values. Each shipping line’s containers can differ by a few centimetres and a few hundred kilograms, so check the exact figures with us before you plan a tight load.
Container Dimensions in Feet
US and Canadian buyers often work in feet and inches. The same standard values in imperial units:
| 20ft standard | 40ft standard | 40ft high cube | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside (L × W × H) | 19 ft 4 in × 7 ft 9 in × 7 ft 10 in | 39 ft 6 in × 7 ft 9 in × 7 ft 10 in | 39 ft 6 in × 7 ft 9 in × 8 ft 10 in |
| Door opening (W × H) | 7 ft 8 in × 7 ft 6 in | 7 ft 8 in × 7 ft 6 in | 7 ft 8 in × 8 ft 5 in |
| Outside (L × W × H) | 20 ft × 8 ft × 8 ft 6 in | 40 ft × 8 ft × 8 ft 6 in | 40 ft × 8 ft × 9 ft 6 in |
| Capacity | about 1,170 cu ft | about 2,370 cu ft | about 2,680 cu ft |
The names come from the outside length: a “20ft” container is 20 feet long outside, and a “high cube” is 9 ft 6 in tall outside instead of 8 ft 6 in.
20ft Container Dimensions
The 20ft standard container (also called 20GP or 20DC) is 5.90 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high inside. That gives about 33 CBM of space, of which about 25–28 CBM is usable with normal cartons.
A 20ft container is the right choice for:
- Heavy goods such as tiles, stone, metal parts or machinery, where you reach the weight limit before the space is full.
- Medium orders of about 15–28 CBM that are too big for LCL.
40ft Container Dimensions
The 40ft standard container (40GP) has the same width and height as a 20ft, but it is twice as long: 12.03 m inside. It holds about 67 CBM, or about 55–58 CBM of cartons.
The freight for a 40ft is usually much less than double the 20ft rate. So if you have more than about 30 CBM, a 40ft often costs less per CBM than a 20ft. Compare the current rates in the table below.
40ft High Cube Dimensions
The 40ft high cube (40HC or 40HQ) is 12.03 m long and 2.35 m wide, like the 40ft standard, but it is 2.70 m high inside, about 30 cm taller. Its capacity is about 76 CBM, with about 65–68 CBM usable.
The high cube is the most popular container for light, bulky goods such as furniture, textiles, toys and household products. On many routes it costs the same as, or only a little more than, a 40ft standard, so most importers choose it for full 40ft loads.
How Many CBM Fit in a Container?
The capacity figure is the empty space inside the box. Real cartons never fill every gap: some space is lost at the top, at the sides and near the doors. That is why we plan with the usable volume.
| Container | Capacity | Usable with cartons |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | about 33 CBM | about 25–28 CBM |
| 40ft standard | about 67 CBM | about 55–58 CBM |
| 40ft high cube | about 76 CBM | about 65–68 CBM |
To work out your shipment volume, multiply the length × width × height of one carton in metres, then multiply by the number of cartons. Our guide on how to calculate CBM explains it step by step.
How Many Cartons Fit in a Container?
Divide the usable volume by the volume of one carton. For example, a carton of 60 × 40 × 40 cm is 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.4 = 0.096 CBM:
| Container | Usable volume | Cartons of 60 × 40 × 40 cm (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | about 26 CBM | about 270 |
| 40ft standard | about 56 CBM | about 580 |
| 40ft high cube | about 66 CBM | about 690 |
The real number depends on how the carton sizes fit the container’s inside dimensions and on the weight. If the cartons are heavy, the weight limit may come first. Send us the packing list and we will check the fit before you book.
How Many Pallets Fit in a 20ft and 40ft Container?
The number depends on the pallet size. These figures are for one layer of pallets on the floor:
If your pallets are low and strong enough, they can be stacked two high, which doubles these numbers. Many shippers also load cartons loose (floor-loaded) instead of on pallets to use more of the space.
Container Weight Limits
A container can carry about 26–28 tonnes of cargo, but the real limit is often lower. Trucks that deliver the container at destination must follow road weight rules. In the USA, for example, a 20ft container is often limited to about 17–20 tonnes of cargo for normal road delivery, depending on the state and the truck. Heavy goods may need a special chassis or a lighter load.
Tell us the total weight when you ask for a quote. We check both the container limit and the delivery limit for your address.
Loading Tips for a Full Container
- Heavy goods at the bottom and spread along the floor, not all at one end.
- Fill gaps with dunnage or air bags so cartons cannot move at sea.
- Keep strong cartons on the lower layers; weak cartons crush under weight in a full container.
- Load the last cartons near the doors carefully, because they are the first to fall when the doors open.
- Record the loading. When we load containers at our warehouse, we can photograph the loading and send you the photos, together with the container and seal numbers.
Buying from several suppliers? Their goods can be loaded into one container at our warehouse; see shipping from multiple suppliers.
Special Containers
Most goods ship in standard dry containers. For special cargo there are other types:
- 45ft high cube: about 13.56 m long inside, about 86 CBM. Not every route or port accepts it.
- Refrigerated (reefer): keeps goods at a set temperature, for food and some chemicals. Slightly smaller inside because of the insulation.
- Open top: no fixed roof, so tall goods or machinery can be loaded by crane from above.
- Flat rack: no roof and no side walls, for very wide or heavy items such as vehicles, boats or large machines.
Special containers have limited availability and cost more. If your cargo needs one, contact us first and we will check the options for your route.
Which Container Size Do You Need?
A simple guide by shipment volume:
| Your shipment | Best option |
|---|---|
| Under about 15 CBM | LCL (shared container). See LCL vs FCL |
| About 15–28 CBM, or heavy goods | 20ft standard |
| About 28–58 CBM | 40ft standard |
| About 58–68 CBM, or light bulky goods | 40ft high cube |
Typical full container rates from South China in November 2026 (main freight only):
| Destination | 20ft | 40ft |
|---|---|---|
| US West Coast | $6,800–8,000 | $7,600–8,500 |
| Canada (Vancouver) | $7,000–8,300 | $8,400–9,800 |
| Großbritannien | $2,100–2,600 | $3,550–4,050 |
| North Europe | $2,100–2,600 | $3,600–4,100 |
Rates change every week. For a full breakdown, see container shipping cost from China, our sea freight service, or try the freight calculator.
Cargo too wide, tall or heavy for these containers? See our guide to oversized cargo shipping with flat rack and open top containers.
FAQ
How many CBM are in a 40ft container?
A 40ft standard container has about 67 CBM of space and a 40ft high cube about 76 CBM. With normal cartons you can load about 55–58 CBM and 65–68 CBM.
How many pallets fit in a 20ft container?
About 10 standard pallets (1.2 × 1.0 m) or 11 Euro pallets (1.2 × 0.8 m) in one layer. If the pallets can be stacked, you can fit twice as many.
What is the difference between a 40ft and a 40ft high cube?
They have the same length and width. The high cube is about 30 cm taller inside (2.70 m instead of 2.39 m), which adds about 9 CBM of space.
How much weight can a 20ft container hold?
About 28 tonnes of cargo by the container rating, but road rules at destination are often lower. In the USA, plan for about 17–20 tonnes for normal delivery.
Can I share a container with other shippers?
Yes. That is LCL shipping: you pay only for the space you use. It is usually the cheaper choice for shipments under about 15 CBM.
What are the dimensions of a 20ft container in feet?
Inside, about 19 ft 4 in long, 7 ft 9 in wide and 7 ft 10 in high. Outside, 20 ft long, 8 ft wide and 8 ft 6 in high.
How many cartons fit in a 40ft container?
It depends on carton size. For cartons of 60 × 40 × 40 cm, about 580 in a 40ft standard and about 690 in a 40ft high cube, if the weight limit allows.
What are the most common container sizes for shipping from China?
The 20ft standard, the 40ft standard and the 40ft high cube. Most full loads of consumer goods from China travel in 40ft high cubes.
Shipping vehicles? See how to import a car from China for RoRo vs container shipping and import rules.
Checked on 4 November 2026. Dimensions are standard ISO values and vary slightly by shipping line. Not sure which container you need? Send us your carton list and get a quote within 2 hours.
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