Shipping container sizes. Explained in plain words.
Inside measurements, door sizes, how much space and weight each container takes, and what it is good for. From the everyday 20′ and 40′ to reefers, open tops, flat racks and ISO tanks. Download any container as a one-page PDF to share.
A 20′ with no hard roof, just a removable tarpaulin, so cargo can be lowered in from above by crane.
32.5 m³space inside
28.1 tmax cargo weight
2.4 tempty weight
Inside length
5.89 m (19′4″)
Inside width
2.35 m (7′9″)
Inside height
2.35 m (7′9″)
Door opening (w × h)
2.34 × 2.26 m
Total space inside
32.5 m³ (CBM)
Empty weight (tare)
about 2,350 kg
Most cargo it can carry (payload)
about 28,130 kg
Maximum total weight (gross)
30,480 kg
Pallets
10 standard or 11 Euro pallets
Outside size (l × w × h)
6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m
ISO type code
22U1
Good forTall or heavy items that cannot go through the doors: machinery, marble blocks, pipes, cable drums.
Watch outCargo taller than the walls is 'out of gauge' and costs more. Fewer of these boxes are available, so book early.
Floor and weightStrong floor for heavy machinery, but spread the load. Lashing rings inside for securing cargo.
In gauge or out of gauge?
In gauge: Cargo fits completely inside the walls and below the top edge (inside height about 2.35 m). The tarpaulin closes over it and it is priced like a normal open top.
Out of gauge (OOG): Cargo taller than the walls is 'out of gauge' (over-height). The tarpaulin cannot close, nothing can be stacked on top of it on the ship, and the line charges extra for the space it blocks. It needs the shipping line's approval before booking.
Send us the exact length, width, height and weight of each piece, ideally with a drawing, and we will tell you if it fits in gauge.
The long version of the open top, for long items that must be loaded from above.
66.5 m³space inside
26.6 tmax cargo weight
3.9 tempty weight
Inside length
12.03 m (39′6″)
Inside width
2.35 m (7′9″)
Inside height
2.35 m (7′9″)
Door opening (w × h)
2.34 × 2.26 m
Total space inside
66.5 m³ (CBM)
Empty weight (tare)
about 3,850 kg
Most cargo it can carry (payload)
about 26,630 kg
Maximum total weight (gross)
30,480 kg
Pallets
21 standard or 25 Euro pallets
Outside size (l × w × h)
12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m
ISO type code
42U1
Good forLong pipes, steel structures, timber, long machinery parts.
Watch outTarpaulin roof is not watertight like a steel roof. Protect sensitive cargo.
Floor and weightRule of thumb: about 3 tonnes per running metre. Lashing rings along the sides.
In gauge or out of gauge?
In gauge: Cargo fits completely inside the walls and below the top edge (inside height about 2.35 m). The tarpaulin closes over it and it is priced like a normal open top.
Out of gauge (OOG): Cargo taller than the walls is 'out of gauge' (over-height). The tarpaulin cannot close, nothing can be stacked on top of it on the ship, and the line charges extra for the space it blocks. It needs the shipping line's approval before booking.
Send us the exact length, width, height and weight of each piece, ideally with a drawing, and we will tell you if it fits in gauge.
A strong floor with two end walls and no sides or roof. Cargo can stick out of the sides or top.
Openno sides or roof
31.2 tmax cargo weight
2.8 tempty weight
Inside space (between end walls)
5.94 m (19′6″)
Width between posts
2.35 m
End wall height
2.35 m
Empty weight (tare)
about 2,750 kg
Most cargo it can carry (payload)
about 31,250 kg
Maximum total weight (gross)
34,000 kg
Outside size (l × w × h)
6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m
ISO type code
22P1
Good forVery heavy or oversized items: generators, transformers, vehicles, boats, construction machines.
Watch outCargo wider or taller than the rack is 'out of gauge' and needs special stowage and pricing. Must be lashed properly.
Floor and weightHeavy-duty floor built for concentrated weight, but load must still be spread and secured to the lashing points.
In gauge or out of gauge?
In gauge: Cargo stays within the outline of a normal container: no wider than the rack (2.44 m outside) and no taller than a standard container (2.59 m including the rack floor). It is handled almost like a normal box.
Out of gauge (OOG): Cargo that is wider (over-width), taller (over-height) or longer (over-length) than that outline is 'out of gauge'. It takes up space next to or above it on the ship, so the line charges for those lost slots, and it may need special road permits or escorts in India.
For out-of-gauge cargo we need exact dimensions, weight, centre of gravity and lifting points before the line will accept the booking. Ask us early.
The long flat rack. It can carry up to about 40 tonnes, far more than a normal 40′.
Openno sides or roof
40.0 tmax cargo weight
5.0 tempty weight
Inside space (between end walls)
12.06 m (39′7″)
Width between posts
2.12 m
End wall height
1.96 m
Empty weight (tare)
about 5,000 kg
Most cargo it can carry (payload)
about 40,000 kg
Maximum total weight (gross)
45,000 kg
Outside size (l × w × h)
12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m
ISO type code
45P1
Good forLong and very heavy cargo: industrial machinery, boilers, heavy vehicles, large steel structures.
Watch outCheck road permits for heavy and wide loads in India and at destination before you book.
Floor and weightBuilt for heavy concentrated loads. Ask us for a lashing and weight distribution plan.
In gauge or out of gauge?
In gauge: Cargo stays within the outline of a normal container: no wider than the rack (2.44 m outside) and no taller than a standard container (2.59 m including the rack floor). It is handled almost like a normal box.
Out of gauge (OOG): Cargo that is wider (over-width), taller (over-height) or longer (over-length) than that outline is 'out of gauge'. It takes up space next to or above it on the ship, so the line charges for those lost slots, and it may need special road permits or escorts in India.
For out-of-gauge cargo we need exact dimensions, weight, centre of gravity and lifting points before the line will accept the booking. Ask us early.
A steel tank inside a container-sized frame, for liquids in bulk instead of drums.
21,000–26,000 Ltank capacity
26.0 tmax cargo weight
3.6 tempty weight
Tank capacity
21,000–26,000 litres
Empty weight (tare)
about 3,600 kg
Most cargo it can carry (payload)
about 26,000 kg
Maximum total weight (gross)
36,000 kg
Outside size (l × w × h)
6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m
ISO type code
22T1
Good forLiquid chemicals, oils, food-grade liquids, some hazardous liquids.
Watch outMust be filled between about 80% and 95% to stop the liquid surging, so the real cargo weight depends on the tank size and how heavy the liquid is. Cleaning certificates are needed between loads.
Floor and weightNo floor: the load sits in the tank. The frame stacks like any other container.
Figures are typical values. Each container's exact empty weight and maximum gross weight are printed on its door and CSC safety plate, and can differ slightly by shipping line, builder and age. Road and rail weight limits may allow less than the container's maximum. For guidance only: confirm with your shipping line or with us before you load.
The most cargo you can put inside, including pallets and packing.
Max gross
Container plus cargo. The total that must never be exceeded.
CBM (m³)
Cubic metres: length × width × height. How much space your cargo takes.
TEU / FEU
Twenty-foot (TEU) and forty-foot (FEU) equivalent units. A 40′ counts as 2 TEU.
High cube
A container 30 cm taller than standard: 2.90 m outside instead of 2.59 m.
In gauge
Cargo that fits within the normal outline of a container, so it ships like a regular box.
Out of gauge (OOG)
Cargo that sticks out over the top, sides or ends of an open top or flat rack. Needs approval, special stowage and costs more.
VGM
Verified Gross Mass: the declared total weight of a packed container before shipping.
Questions people ask
Can I really load 28 tonnes into a 20 foot container?+
The container can take it, but the road often cannot. Truck weight limits in India and in the destination country may cap what you can carry on the road leg. Tell us your route and we will tell you the safe maximum.
What is the difference between a 40′ and a 40′ high cube?+
Same length and width, but the high cube is 30 cm taller inside. That gives about 9 m³ more space. The price difference is usually small, so for light, bulky cargo the high cube is often the better deal.
How much cargo really fits in a container?+
Less than the full volume, because cartons never fit perfectly and you need space to load. Plan on about 25–28 m³ in a 20′, 55–58 m³ in a 40′ and 65–68 m³ in a 40′ high cube. Our container load calculator can work it out from your packing list.
Where can I see the exact weights of my container?+
On the CSC safety plate and the markings on the container door. They show the exact empty weight (tare) and maximum gross weight for that particular box, which can differ slightly from the typical figures here.
What is VGM?+
Verified Gross Mass: the total weight of the container including cargo, packing and the container itself. It must be declared to the shipping line before the container is loaded on the ship.
Which container should I choose?+
Heavy, dense cargo usually goes in a 20′. Light, bulky cargo goes in a 40′ or 40′ high cube. Temperature-sensitive goods need a reefer, and oversized or very heavy items need an open top or flat rack. WhatsApp us your packing list and we will suggest the best fit.