Shipping Container Dimensions & Weight: 20ft, 40ft, HC, Reefer
A standard 20 ft shipping container is 6,058 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm outside (20 × 8 × 8.5 ft) and about 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m inside. A 40 ft container is 12,192 mm long outside and about 12.03 m inside. A high cube is 2,896 mm (9.5 ft) tall outside, roughly 300 mm more inside height.
| Container | Length (mm / ft-in, converted) | Width (mm / ft-in, converted) | Height (mm / ft-in, converted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft (8 ft 6 in high) | 6,058 / 19′ 11″ | 2,438 / 8′ 0″ | 2,591 / 8′ 6″ |
| 40 ft (8 ft 6 in high) | 12,192 / 40′ 0″ | 2,438 / 8′ 0″ | 2,591 / 8′ 6″ |
| 40 ft high cube (9 ft 6 in high) | 12,192 / 40′ 0″ | 2,438 / 8′ 0″ | 2,896 / 9′ 6″ |
| 45 ft high cube (9 ft 6 in high) | 13,716 / 45′ 0″ | 2,438 / 8′ 0″ | 2,896 / 9′ 6″ |
Source: Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification (booklet, 03/2016), p. 5, checked Oct 30, 2026
- 20 ft (8 ft 6 in high): Outside dimensions as reproduced from ISO 668 in Hapag-Lloyd's container booklet. The ISO standard itself is sold by ISO and was not consulted.
- 45 ft high cube (9 ft 6 in high): Hapag-Lloyd 45 ft units have corner castings at 40 ft and 45 ft positions
How much does a shipping container weigh?
An empty 20 ft dry container weighs 2,230 to 2,300 kg (4,916 to 5,071 lb) in the specs of Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM. An empty 40 ft dry weighs 3,700 to 3,720 kg (8,157 to 8,201 lb) and a 40 ft high cube 3,880 to 3,900 kg. Loaded, most boxes are rated 30,480 or 32,500 kg gross.
| Container | Tare, empty (kg) | Tare (lb, converted) | Max gross (kg) | Max gross (lb, converted) | Max payload as printed (kg) | Max payload (lb, converted) | Also written as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft dry | 2,230–2,300 | 4,916–5,071 | 30,480–32,500 | 67,197–71,650 | 28,200–30,200 | 62,170–66,580 | 20' dry, 20 ft, 20-foot, 20GP, 20DC, TEU |
| 40 ft dry | 3,700–3,720 | 8,157–8,201 | 30,480–32,500 | 67,197–71,650 | 26,760–28,800 | 58,996–63,493 | 40' dry, 40 ft, 40-foot, 40GP, 40DC, FEU |
| 40 ft high cube | 3,880–3,900 | 8,554–8,598 | 30,480–32,500 | 67,197–71,650 | 26,760–28,780 | 58,996–63,449 | 40' HC, 40HQ, 40 ft high cube |
| 45 ft high cube | 4,700–4,900 | 10,362–10,803 | 30,480–32,500 | 67,197–71,650 | 25,780–27,800 | 56,835–61,289 | 45' HC, 45HQ, 45 ft high cube |
| 20 ft reefer | 2,905–3,010 | 6,404–6,636 | 30,480 | 67,197 | 27,470–27,575 | 60,561–60,792 | 20' reefer, 20RE |
| 40 ft high cube reefer | 4,300–4,700 | 9,480–10,362 | 34,000 | 74,957 | 29,300–29,700 | 64,595–65,477 | 40' HC reefer, 40RQ, 40 ft high cube reefer |
Source: Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: dry containers (PDF, maersk.com local information); Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification (booklet, 03/2016), pp. 9, 11, 13, 15, 41, 43; CMA CGM, Containers - technical specifications (web page); Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: reefer containers (PDF, maersk.com local information), checked Oct 30, 2026
- 40 ft high cube: CMA CGM prints the same payload as for its 40 ft standard box (26,760 / 28,780 kg). Gross weight minus the 3,900 kg average tare gives 26,580 / 28,600 kg; calculators use the lower figure.
Three weights matter. Tare is the empty box. Maximum gross is the most the box may weigh with cargo, and payload is the cargo allowance, normally gross minus tare. CMA CGM's 40 ft high cube is the one exception in this data: its printed payload is higher than gross minus tare, and the table notes it. Each box carries its own tare and gross on the door, which can differ from these fleet figures.
20 ft container dimensions
Inside, a 20 ft dry container measures 5,896 to 5,900 mm long, 2,350 to 2,352 mm wide and 2,393 mm high in the specs of Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM. The door opening is 2,340 to 2,350 mm wide and 2,274 to 2,292 mm high. Volume is 33 to 33.2 cubic meters.
| Line | Type | Inside L × W × H (mm) | Inside L × W × H (ft-in, converted) | Height measured | Door W × H (mm) | Tare (kg) | Max gross (kg) | Max payload (kg / lb, converted) | Capacity (m³ / ft³, converted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maersk | 20' standard - steel | 5,896 × 2,350 × 2,393 | 19′ 4″ × 7′ 9″ × 7′ 10″ | to load line | 2,350 × 2,274 | 2,280 | 30,480 | 28,200 / 62,170 | 33 / 1,165 |
| Hapag-Lloyd | 20' general purpose, wooden floor (series HLBU 136800-139299) | 5,900 × 2,352 × 2,393 | 19′ 4″ × 7′ 9″ × 7′ 10″ | inside | 2,340 × 2,292 | 2,300 | 32,500 | 30,200 / 66,580 | 33.2 / 1,172 |
| CMA CGM | 20'ST | 5,900 × 2,352 × 2,393 | 19′ 4″ × 7′ 9″ × 7′ 10″ | inside | 2,340 × 2,280 | 2,230 | 30,480 | 28,250 / 62,281 | 33.2 / 1,172 |
Source: Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: dry containers (PDF, maersk.com local information); Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification (booklet, 03/2016), p. 9; CMA CGM, Containers - technical specifications (web page), checked Oct 30, 2026
- Maersk 20' standard - steel: Undated Maersk document. Door width is printed as 2,350 mm; other Maersk sizes list 2,340 mm. Maersk notes that dimensions vary within a container series.
- Hapag-Lloyd 20' general purpose, wooden floor (series HLBU 136800-139299): Booklet shows a sample of the fleet; other 20' series are rated 30,480 kg gross
- CMA CGM 20'ST: CMA CGM gives average tare and calls its figures non-contractual examples.
Maximum payload is where the three carriers differ most: 28,200 kg for the Maersk unit, 28,250 kg for CMA CGM and 30,200 kg for the Hapag-Lloyd series shown, which is rated for a higher maximum gross weight of 32,500 kg. Hapag-Lloyd notes that other 20 ft series in its fleet are rated 30,480 kg gross.
40 ft and 40 ft high cube dimensions
The 40 ft dry and the 40 ft high cube share the same floor: about 12,032 to 12,034 mm long and 2,350 to 2,352 mm wide. The high cube adds roughly 300 mm of height, 2,697 to 2,700 mm inside against 2,393 to 2,395 mm. Volume rises from about 67 to 76 cubic meters.
| Line | Type | Inside L × W × H (mm) | Inside L × W × H (ft-in, converted) | Height measured | Door W × H (mm) | Tare (kg) | Max gross (kg) | Max payload (kg / lb, converted) | Capacity (m³ / ft³, converted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maersk | 40' standard - steel | 12,032 × 2,350 × 2,393 | 39′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 7′ 10″ | to load line | 2,340 × 2,274 | 3,700 | 32,500 | 28,800 / 63,493 | 67 / 2,366 |
| Hapag-Lloyd | 40' general purpose, wooden floor (series HLBU 124400-127699) | 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,395 | 39′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 7′ 10″ | inside | 2,340 × 2,292 | 3,700 | 32,500 | 28,800 / 63,493 | 67.7 / 2,391 |
| CMA CGM | 40'ST, 30,480 kg rating | 12,034 × 2,352 × 2,395 | 39′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 7′ 10″ | inside | 2,340 × 2,280 | 3,720 | 30,480 | 26,760 / 58,996 | 67.8 / 2,394 |
| CMA CGM | 40'ST, 32,500 kg rating | 12,034 × 2,352 × 2,395 | 39′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 7′ 10″ | inside | 2,340 × 2,280 | 3,720 | 32,500 | 28,780 / 63,449 | 67.8 / 2,394 |
| Maersk | 40' high - steel | 12,032 × 2,350 × 2,697 | 39′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 8′ 10″ | to load line | 2,340 × 2,577 | 3,880 | 32,500 | 28,620 / 63,096 | 76 / 2,684 |
| Hapag-Lloyd | 40' high cube, wooden floor (series HLBU 141100-144399) | 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,700 | 39′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 8′ 10″ | inside | 2,340 × 2,597 | 3,900 | 32,500 | 28,600 / 63,052 | — |
| CMA CGM | 40'HC, 30,480 kg rating | 12,034 × 2,352 × 2,700 | 39′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 8′ 10″ | inside | 2,340 × 2,585 | 3,900 | 30,480 | 26,760 / 58,996 | 76.4 / 2,698 |
| CMA CGM | 40'HC, 32,500 kg rating | 12,034 × 2,352 × 2,700 | 39′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 8′ 10″ | inside | 2,340 × 2,585 | 3,900 | 32,500 | 28,780 / 63,449 | 76.4 / 2,698 |
Source: Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: dry containers (PDF, maersk.com local information); Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification (booklet, 03/2016), pp. 11, 13; CMA CGM, Containers - technical specifications (web page), checked Oct 30, 2026
— not published by the source
- Maersk 40' standard - steel, Maersk 40' high - steel: Undated Maersk document.
- Hapag-Lloyd 40' general purpose, wooden floor (series HLBU 124400-127699): Another 40' series on the same page: 12,029 x 2,350 x 2,392 mm, 30,480 kg gross, 26,700 kg payload
- CMA CGM 40'ST, 30,480 kg rating, CMA CGM 40'ST, 32,500 kg rating: CMA CGM lists two ratings for this box: 30,480 or 32,500 kg gross, with 26,760 or 28,780 kg payload.
- Hapag-Lloyd 40' high cube, wooden floor (series HLBU 141100-144399): Hapag-Lloyd prints no capacity for this series (76.3 to 76.4 m³ for neighbouring series). A wider series, 2,432 mm inside, is listed on the same page.
- CMA CGM 40'HC, 30,480 kg rating, CMA CGM 40'HC, 32,500 kg rating: CMA CGM prints the same payload as for its 40 ft standard box (26,760 / 28,780 kg). Gross weight minus the 3,900 kg average tare gives 26,580 / 28,600 kg; calculators use the lower figure.
Payload depends on how the unit is rated. CMA CGM lists 30,480 kg and 32,500 kg gross ratings for its 40 ft boxes and prints a payload of 26,760 or 28,780 kg for both the standard box and the high cube. For the high cube that does not match its own tare: gross weight minus 3,900 kg gives 26,580 or 28,600 kg, and the table notes the difference. The Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd units shown are rated 32,500 kg gross. A 2-tonne difference matters for dense cargo, so check the CSC plate on the container you get.
45 ft high cube and reefer dimensions
A 45 ft high cube is 13,556 mm long and 2,352 mm wide inside, with 2,698 to 2,700 mm of height and about 86 cubic meters of space. Refrigerated containers lose space to insulation and the cooling unit: a 20 ft reefer is about 5.45 m long inside, a 40 ft high cube reefer about 11.58 m.
| Line | Type | Inside L × W × H (mm) | Inside L × W × H (ft-in, converted) | Height measured | Usable height (mm) | Door W × H (mm) | Tare (kg) | Max gross (kg) | Max payload (kg / lb, converted) | Capacity (m³ / ft³, converted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maersk | 45' high - steel | 13,556 × 2,352 × 2,698 | 44′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 8′ 10″ | to load line | — | 2,340 × 2,585 | 4,900 | 32,500 | 27,600 / 60,848 | 85 / 3,002 |
| Hapag-Lloyd | 45' high cube, wooden floor (series HLXU 901100-901599) | 13,556 × 2,352 × 2,700 | 44′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 8′ 10″ | inside | — | 2,340 × 2,597 | 4,700 | 32,500 | 27,800 / 61,288 | 86 / 3,037 |
| CMA CGM | 45'HC | 13,556 × 2,352 × 2,700 | 44′ 6″ × 7′ 9″ × 8′ 10″ | inside | — | 2,340 × 2,585 | 4,700 | 30,480 | 25,780 / 56,835 | 86 / 3,037 |
| Maersk | 20' Standard Reefer | 5,451 × 2,290 × 2,167 | 17′ 11″ × 7′ 6″ × 7′ 1″ | to load line | — | 2,290 × 2,212 | 2,990 | 30,480 | 27,490 / 60,605 | 27 / 953 |
| Hapag-Lloyd | 20' reefer (series HLXU 371450-371949) | 5,450 × 2,284 × 2,267 | 17′ 11″ × 7′ 6″ × 7′ 5″ | inside | 2,184 | 2,290 × 2,264 | 2,905 | 30,480 | 27,575 / 60,792 | 28.2 / 996 |
| CMA CGM | 20'RF | 5,456 × 2,294 × 2,273 | 17′ 11″ × 7′ 6″ × 7′ 5″ | inside | 2,158 | 2,290 × 2,264 | 3,010 | 30,480 | 27,470 / 60,561 | 28.6 / 1,010 |
| Maersk | 40' High Cube Standard Reefer | 11,580 × 2,275 × 2,415 | 38′ 0″ × 7′ 6″ × 7′ 11″ | to load line | — | 2,276 × 2,471 | 4,520 | 34,000 | 29,480 / 64,992 | 67.5 / 2,384 |
| Hapag-Lloyd | 40' high cube reefer (series HLXU 676100-676599) | 11,578 × 2,280 × 2,525 | 38′ 0″ × 7′ 6″ × 8′ 3″ | inside | 2,425 | 2,276 × 2,535 | 4,300 | 34,000 | 29,700 / 65,477 | 66.7 / 2,355 |
| CMA CGM | 40'RH | 11,584 × 2,294 × 2,557 | 38′ 0″ × 7′ 6″ × 8′ 5″ | inside | 2,394 | 2,284 × 2,567 | 4,700 | 34,000 | 29,300 / 64,595 | 68 / 2,401 |
Source: Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: dry containers (PDF, maersk.com local information); Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification (booklet, 03/2016), pp. 15, 41, 43; CMA CGM, Containers - technical specifications (web page); Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: reefer containers (PDF, maersk.com local information), checked Oct 30, 2026
— not published by the source
- Maersk 45' high - steel: Undated Maersk document.
- Maersk 20' Standard Reefer, Maersk 40' High Cube Standard Reefer: Undated Maersk document. Height is given to the load line only.
- Hapag-Lloyd 20' reefer (series HLXU 371450-371949), Hapag-Lloyd 40' high cube reefer (series HLXU 676100-676599): Usable height is the maximum stowage height to the load line.
- CMA CGM 20'RF: Nominal capacity 28.6 m³; 27.3 m³ in use. Usable height is what CMA CGM calls height usable for cargo.
- CMA CGM 40'RH: Nominal capacity 68 m³; 64.9 m³ in use. Usable height is what CMA CGM calls height usable for cargo.
For reefers, the usable height is lower than the inside height because cargo must stay below the load line for air to circulate. Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM give 2,158 to 2,184 mm for a 20 ft reefer and 2,394 to 2,425 mm for a 40 ft high cube reefer. Maersk publishes only the height to the load line.
Door openings: what fits through
The door is narrower and lower than the inside of the box. On 20 ft and 40 ft dry containers it is about 2,340 mm wide and 2,274 to 2,292 mm high; on high cubes, 2,577 to 2,597 mm high. A reefer door is 2,276 to 2,290 mm wide. An item that fits inside may still not pass the door.
| Type | Door width (mm) | Door height (mm) | Inside height (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft dry | 2,340–2,350 | 2,274–2,292 | 2,393 |
| 40 ft dry | 2,340 | 2,274–2,292 | 2,393 |
| 40 ft high cube | 2,340 | 2,577–2,597 | 2,697 |
| 45 ft high cube | 2,340 | 2,585–2,597 | 2,698 |
| 20 ft reefer | 2,290 | 2,212–2,264 | 2,167 |
| 40 ft high cube reefer | 2,276–2,284 | 2,471–2,567 | 2,415 |
Calculated from: Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: dry containers (PDF, maersk.com local information); Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: reefer containers (PDF, maersk.com local information); Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification (booklet, 03/2016), pp. 9, 11, 13, 15, 41, 43; CMA CGM, Containers - technical specifications (web page), checked Oct 30, 2026
Measure the tallest and widest point of the loaded unit, including the pallet and the forklift's lift height if it goes in on forks. A pallet built to 2,300 mm tall fits under the roof of a 20 ft standard box but not through a door 2,274 mm high, which is the Maersk figure. High cubes give about 300 mm more clearance at the door.
Why the same container type differs between shipping lines
Each carrier publishes its own fleet, and boxes vary by manufacturer and build year even inside one fleet. Maersk measures height to the load line, while Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM give the full inside height. Hapag-Lloyd's booklet is dated March 2016 and shows sample series; CMA CGM gives average tare and calls its data non-contractual.
| Type | Inside length (mm) | Inside width (mm) | Inside height (mm) | Tare (kg) | Max payload (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft dry | 5,896–5,900 min: Maersk | 2,350–2,352 min: Maersk | 2,393 min: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM | 2,230–2,300 min: CMA CGM | 28,200–30,200 min: Maersk |
| 40 ft dry | 12,032–12,034 min: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd | 2,350–2,352 min: Maersk | 2,393–2,395 min: Maersk | 3,700–3,720 min: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd | 26,760–28,800 min: CMA CGM |
| 40 ft high cube | 12,032–12,034 min: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd | 2,350–2,352 min: Maersk | 2,697–2,700 min: Maersk | 3,880–3,900 min: Maersk | 26,760–28,780 min: CMA CGM |
| 45 ft high cube | 13,556 min: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM | 2,352 min: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM | 2,698–2,700 min: Maersk | 4,700–4,900 min: Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM | 25,780–27,800 min: CMA CGM |
| 20 ft reefer | 5,450–5,456 min: Hapag-Lloyd | 2,284–2,294 min: Hapag-Lloyd | 2,167–2,273 min: Maersk | 2,905–3,010 min: Hapag-Lloyd | 27,470–27,575 min: CMA CGM |
| 40 ft high cube reefer | 11,578–11,584 min: Hapag-Lloyd | 2,275–2,294 min: Maersk | 2,415–2,557 min: Maersk | 4,300–4,700 min: Hapag-Lloyd | 29,300–29,700 min: CMA CGM |
Calculated from: Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: dry containers (PDF, maersk.com local information); Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: reefer containers (PDF, maersk.com local information); Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification (booklet, 03/2016), pp. 9, 11, 13, 15, 41, 43; CMA CGM, Containers - technical specifications (web page), checked Oct 30, 2026
The spread table shows the smallest and largest figure for each type across the three carriers. For a load plan, use the smallest inside dimensions and the lowest payload unless you know which carrier and series you will get. That is also what the CBM calculator does by default.
Sources
- Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification (booklet, 03/2016), pp. 5, 9, 11, 13, 15, 41, 43 (effective Mar 2016, checked Oct 30, 2026)
- Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: dry containers (PDF, maersk.com local information) (undated, checked Oct 30, 2026)
- Maersk, Our fleet - equipment specifications: reefer containers (PDF, maersk.com local information) (undated, checked Oct 30, 2026)
- CMA CGM, Containers - technical specifications (web page) (undated, checked Oct 30, 2026)