The common types
| Type | Typical inside size (L x W x H) | Typical volume | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standard | 5.90 x 2.35 x 2.39 m | about 33 m3 | Heavy, dense cargo; smaller shipments |
| 40 ft standard | 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.39 m | about 67 m3 | Larger volumes of general cargo |
| 40 ft high cube | 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.69 m | about 76 m3 | Light, bulky cargo that needs height |
| 20 ft reefer | 5.44 x 2.29 x 2.27 m | about 28 m3 | Chilled and frozen goods |
| 40 ft high cube reefer | 11.58 x 2.29 x 2.55 m | about 67 m3 | Larger temperature-controlled loads |
| Open top | as standard, no fixed roof | as standard | Tall cargo loaded by crane from above |
| Flat rack | a floor with end walls, no sides or roof | - | Oversized and heavy pieces |
Sizes are typical figures for planning. Exact inside dimensions, door openings and weight limits vary by carrier and by container, so they are confirmed at booking.
How much fits
As a rough guide for single-stacked pallets:
- Standard pallets (1.2 x 1.0 m): about 10 in a 20 ft container and about 20 in a 40 ft container.
- Euro pallets (1.2 x 0.8 m): about 11 in a 20 ft container and about 24 in a 40 ft container.
The real number depends on the pallet height, whether pallets can be stacked, and the weight. A container can be full by weight long before it is full by space, especially with dense cargo such as metals or stone. Road weight limits at origin and destination can also cap the load.
Choosing between them
- Weight first or space first? Dense cargo usually fills a 20 ft container by weight. Light cargo usually fills a 40 ft high cube by space.
- Less than a container? LCL (less than container load) shares a container with other shippers' cargo, and is priced on weight or volume, whichever is greater. See ocean freight.
- Temperature? Reefers hold a set temperature but have less inside space than a dry container of the same length.
- Too big for the doors? Open tops and flat racks take cargo that does not fit through container doors. Larger pieces travel as breakbulk. See project and heavy cargo.
What to tell us
The cargo, its packing, the size and weight of each piece, the total weight and volume, and whether it can be stacked. We will suggest the container type and size, and say if a different option would fit better.