NetworkZone.org — Reference

Shipping Container Specifications

ISO standard dimensions, weights and cubic capacities for all major container types — metric and imperial. A quick reference for freight forwarders worldwide.

Advisory: The specifications below are based on ISO standard guidelines and represent typical dimensions. Actual dimensions and payload capacities vary by container line, manufacturer and age of equipment. Always confirm exact specifications with your carrier or equipment provider before booking.
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Dry Containers (General Purpose)

20ft Standard Dry

1 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
External Length6.058 m19'10½"
External Width2.438 m8'0"
External Height2.591 m8'6"
Internal Length5.898 m19'4"
Internal Width2.352 m7'8½"
Internal Height2.393 m7'10"
Door Width2.340 m7'8"
Door Height2.280 m7'5¾"
Tare Weight2,230 kg4,916 lbs
Max Payload28,230 kg62,237 lbs
Cubic Capacity33.2 m³1,172 ft³

40ft Standard Dry

2 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
External Length12.192 m40'0"
External Width2.438 m8'0"
External Height2.591 m8'6"
Internal Length12.032 m39'5½"
Internal Width2.352 m7'8½"
Internal Height2.393 m7'10"
Door Width2.340 m7'8"
Door Height2.280 m7'5¾"
Tare Weight3,750 kg8,268 lbs
Max Payload26,750 kg58,973 lbs
Cubic Capacity67.7 m³2,390 ft³

40ft High Cube

2 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
External Length12.192 m40'0"
External Width2.438 m8'0"
External Height2.896 m9'6"
Internal Length12.032 m39'5½"
Internal Width2.352 m7'8½"
Internal Height2.698 m8'10"
Door Width2.340 m7'8"
Door Height2.585 m8'5¾"
Tare Weight3,940 kg8,687 lbs
Max Payload26,560 kg58,554 lbs
Cubic Capacity76.4 m³2,700 ft³
Extra 30cm height vs standard 40ft — ideal for voluminous, lightweight cargo

45ft High Cube

2.25 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
External Length13.716 m45'0"
External Width2.438 m8'0"
External Height2.896 m9'6"
Internal Length13.556 m44'5½"
Internal Width2.352 m7'8½"
Internal Height2.698 m8'10"
Door Width2.340 m7'8"
Door Height2.585 m8'5¾"
Tare Weight4,800 kg10,582 lbs
Max Payload27,700 kg61,068 lbs
Cubic Capacity86.1 m³3,040 ft³
Common in European road/rail intermodal — not universally accepted at all ports

20ft High Cube

1 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
External Length6.058 m19'10½"
External Width2.438 m8'0"
External Height2.896 m9'6"
Internal Length5.898 m19'4"
Internal Width2.352 m7'8½"
Internal Height2.698 m8'10"
Tare Weight2,400 kg5,291 lbs
Max Payload28,080 kg61,906 lbs
Cubic Capacity37.4 m³1,320 ft³
Less common than 40ft HC — availability varies by carrier and trade lane
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Reefer Containers (Temperature Controlled)

20ft Reefer

1 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
External Length6.058 m19'10½"
External Width2.438 m8'0"
External Height2.591 m8'6"
Internal Length5.444 m17'10"
Internal Width2.286 m7'6"
Internal Height2.260 m7'5"
Tare Weight3,080 kg6,790 lbs
Max Payload27,400 kg60,407 lbs
Cubic Capacity28.1 m³992 ft³
Temp Range-30°C to +30°C  /  -22°F to +86°F
Internal capacity reduced vs dry — insulation panels reduce usable space

40ft Reefer

2 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
External Length12.192 m40'0"
External Width2.438 m8'0"
External Height2.591 m8'6"
Internal Length11.590 m38'0"
Internal Width2.286 m7'6"
Internal Height2.260 m7'5"
Tare Weight4,800 kg10,582 lbs
Max Payload27,700 kg61,068 lbs
Cubic Capacity59.8 m³2,112 ft³
Temp Range-30°C to +30°C  /  -22°F to +86°F

40ft High Cube Reefer

2 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
External Length12.192 m40'0"
External Width2.438 m8'0"
External Height2.896 m9'6"
Internal Length11.590 m38'0"
Internal Width2.286 m7'6"
Internal Height2.500 m8'2"
Tare Weight4,900 kg10,803 lbs
Max Payload27,600 kg60,848 lbs
Cubic Capacity67.3 m³2,377 ft³
Temp Range-30°C to +30°C  /  -22°F to +86°F
Most commonly used reefer for perishables, pharmaceuticals and flowers
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Special Equipment

20ft Open Top

1 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
Internal Length5.894 m19'4"
Internal Width2.352 m7'8½"
Internal Height2.350 m7'8½"
Door Width2.340 m7'8"
Door Height2.280 m7'5¾"
Tare Weight2,360 kg5,203 lbs
Max Payload28,130 kg62,016 lbs
Cubic Capacity32.6 m³1,151 ft³
Removable tarpaulin roof — for cargo loaded from above e.g. machinery, coils

40ft Open Top

2 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
Internal Length12.034 m39'5½"
Internal Width2.352 m7'8½"
Internal Height2.350 m7'8½"
Door Width2.340 m7'8"
Door Height2.274 m7'5¼"
Tare Weight3,900 kg8,598 lbs
Max Payload26,630 kg58,708 lbs
Cubic Capacity66.4 m³2,345 ft³
Over-height cargo can protrude above container — surcharges may apply

20ft Flat Rack

1 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
Platform Length5.944 m19'6"
Platform Width2.228 m7'4"
Wall Height2.233 m7'4"
Tare Weight2,740 kg6,041 lbs
Max Payload32,000 kg70,547 lbs
For over-dimensional cargo — vehicles, industrial equipment, large structures. No roof or side walls

40ft Flat Rack

2 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
Platform Length12.192 m40'0"
Platform Width2.228 m7'4"
Wall Height1.981 m6'6"
Tare Weight5,000 kg11,023 lbs
Max Payload40,000 kg88,184 lbs
Higher payload than 20ft — preferred for heavy machinery and project cargo

Tank Container (ISO)

1 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
External Length6.058 m19'10½"
External Width2.438 m8'0"
External Height2.591 m8'6"
Capacity (min)21,000 L5,548 US gal
Capacity (max)26,000 L6,868 US gal
Tare Weight3,500 kg7,716 lbs
Max Payload26,000 kg57,320 lbs
For liquid bulk, chemicals, food-grade liquids and gases. Capacity varies by tank operator

Collapsible Flat Rack 40ft

2 TEU
DimensionMetricImperial
Platform Length12.080 m39'7"
Platform Width2.126 m6'11¾"
Max Load Height2.043 m6'8½"
Tare Weight5,900 kg13,007 lbs
Max Payload40,000 kg88,184 lbs
End walls fold flat — can be stacked when empty, reducing repositioning costs
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Quick Reference — LCL & Groupage

Chargeable Weight Guide

LCL / AIR
ModeVolumetric FactorFormula
Ocean LCL1 CBM = 1,000 kgW/M basis
Air Freight1:6,000cm³ ÷ 6,000
Air Freight1:167inches ÷ 167
Road (EU)1:3,000cm³ ÷ 3,000
Courier/Express1:5,000cm³ ÷ 5,000
Chargeable weight = whichever is greater — actual gross weight or volumetric weight

Container Load Guide

Reference
ContainerApprox PalletsEuro Pallets
20ft Standard10–11 std~11 EUR
40ft Standard20–22 std~23 EUR
40ft High Cube20–22 std~25 EUR
45ft High Cube24–26 std~28 EUR
Pallet counts are approximate and depend on pallet size, stacking height and cargo type

Reference data compiled by NetworkZone.org from ISO standard specifications.
Always confirm exact specifications with your carrier. Dimensions and payloads vary by equipment provider.
Last reviewed: May 2026  ·  Corrections or additions: info@networkzone.org