Shipping container dimensions
A 20' standard container measures 5,900 × 2,352 × 2,395 mm inside (19′ 4.3″ × 7′ 8.6″ × 7′ 10.3″), and a 40' high cube 12,032 × 2,350 × 2,700 mm (39′ 5.7″ × 7′ 8.5″ × 8′ 10.3″), according to Hapag-Lloyd's specifications. The tables below give the inside size, door opening, volume and weights of the four common dry containers.
Inside dimensions and door openings
| Container | Inside length | Inside width | Inside height | Door width | Door height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' Standard | 5,900 mm 19′ 4.3″ | 2,352 mm 7′ 8.6″ | 2,395 mm 7′ 10.3″ | 2,340 mm 7′ 8.1″ | 2,292 mm 7′ 6.2″ |
| 40' Standard | 12,032 mm 39′ 5.7″ | 2,352 mm 7′ 8.6″ | 2,395 mm 7′ 10.3″ | 2,340 mm 7′ 8.1″ | 2,292 mm 7′ 6.2″ |
| 40' High Cube | 12,032 mm 39′ 5.7″ | 2,350 mm 7′ 8.5″ | 2,700 mm 8′ 10.3″ | 2,340 mm 7′ 8.1″ | 2,597 mm 8′ 6.2″ |
| 45' High Cube | 13,556 mm 44′ 5.7″ | 2,352 mm 7′ 8.6″ | 2,700 mm 8′ 10.3″ | 2,340 mm 7′ 8.1″ | 2,597 mm 8′ 6.2″ |
Millimetre figures are Hapag-Lloyd's; feet and inches are converted from them (1 in = 25.4 mm) and rounded to 0.1 inch.
Volume and weight
| Container | Inside volume | Tare | Max payload | Max gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' Standard | 33.2 m³ 1,174 ft³ | 2,350 kg 5,181 lb | 28,130 kg 62,016 lb | 30,480 kg 67,197 lb |
| 40' Standard | 67.8 m³ 2,394 ft³ | 3,750 kg 8,267 lb | 28,750 kg 63,383 lb | 32,500 kg 71,650 lb |
| 40' High Cube | 76.3 m³ 2,696 ft³ | 3,900 kg 8,598 lb | 28,600 kg 63,052 lb | 32,500 kg 71,650 lb |
| 45' High Cube | 86.1 m³ 3,040 ft³ | 4,800 kg 10,582 lb | 27,700 kg 61,068 lb | 32,500 kg 71,650 lb |
Inside volume is length × width × height of the figures above. Hapag-Lloyd lists the capacity as 33.2 m³ (20'), 67.7 m³ (40'), and 86.0 m³ (45' high cube). Pounds are converted from kilograms (1 lb = 0.45359237 kg).
What the numbers mean
- Tare is the empty container's own weight. Max payload is the most cargo it may carry, and max gross is tare plus payload: the most the loaded container may weigh.
- A high cube is about 30 cm (one foot) taller inside than a standard container of the same length: here 2,700 mm against 2,395 mm.
- The door opening is smaller than the inside, so the door — not the inside — limits the largest item you can load.
- These are one carrier's figures. Containers from other owners and manufacturing series differ by a few millimetres or kilograms; the data plate on the container door and your booking confirmation give the figures for your unit.
How many cartons fit?
Use the container loading calculator with these sizes as presets: enter your carton sizes and quantities to get a 3D loading plan.
Source: Hapag-Lloyd container specification pages for the 20' standard, 40' standard, 40' high cube and 45' high cube, checked 2026-10-18.