Key points
- A 20GP holds about 25–28 CBM of cartons in practice, a 40GP about 55–58 CBM and a 40HQ about 65–68 CBM.
- Usable volume is always below the nominal volume, because cartons never fill every centimetre.
- A 40GP carries roughly the same weight as a 20GP, not double: heavy cargo often fits best in a 20GP.
- Reefer, open top and flat rack containers need carrier approval; some Gulf bookings for them were suspended in 2026.
- Figures are typical; every line and every box differs slightly, so check the CSC plate and door markings.
Container sizes at a glance
| Type | Inside L × W × H (m) | Door W × H (m) | Nominal CBM | Usable CBM (cartons) | Tare (kg) | Max payload (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 2.34 × 2.28 | ~33 | ~25–28 | 2,200–2,300 | ~25,000–28,000 |
| 40GP | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 2.34 × 2.28 | ~67 | ~55–58 | 3,700–3,800 | ~26,500–28,800 |
| 40HQ | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 | 2.34 × 2.58 | ~76 | ~65–68 | 3,900–4,100 | ~26,500–28,600 |
| 20RF | 5.44 × 2.29 × 2.27 | 2.29 × 2.26 | ~28 | ~24–26 | ~3,000 | ~27,000 |
| 40RH | 11.58 × 2.29 × 2.55 | 2.29 × 2.57 | ~67 | ~58–62 | ~4,500–4,800 | ~29,000 |
| 20OT | 5.89 × 2.35 × 2.35 | – | ~32 | – | ~2,300 | ~28,000 |
| 40OT | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.35 | – | ~66 | – | ~3,900 | ~26,500 |
| 20FR | ~5.6–5.9 × 2.2–2.4 × ~2.2 | – | – | – | ~2,500–2,900 | ~27,000–31,000 |
| 40FR | ~12.0 × 2.2–2.4 × ~1.9–2.0 | – | – | – | ~4,800–5,900 | ~39,000–45,000 |
These are typical values. External sizes follow the ISO 668 standard for series 1 freight containers (20 ft and 40 ft long, 8 ft wide, 8 ft 6 in high, or 9 ft 6 in for a high cube), but inside dimensions, tare and payload vary by manufacturer and carrier. Hapag-Lloyd, for example, publishes its 40' high cube at 12,032 × 2,350 × 2,700 mm inside, 76.3 CBM and a 28,600 kg maximum payload. The exact tare and maximum gross weight of each box are printed on its doors and on its CSC safety approval plate.
Dry containers: 20GP, 40GP and 40HQ
- Inside about 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m; door 2.34 × 2.28 m
- About 33 CBM nominal, 25–28 CBM of cartons in practice
- Typical payload about 25–28 tonnes
- Best for dense cargo: tiles, steel, stone, paper, liquids in drums
- Usually the right choice from about 15 to 28 CBM
- Inside about 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m; same door as the 20GP
- About 67 CBM nominal, 55–58 CBM usable
- Typical payload about 26.5–28.8 tonnes, close to a 20GP
- Good for medium-density goods and long items
- Often chosen for about 28–58 CBM
- Inside about 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m; door 2.34 × 2.58 m
- About 76 CBM nominal, 65–68 CBM usable
- Typical payload about 26.5–28.6 tonnes
- Best for light, bulky goods: furniture, garments, toys, plastics
- The extra 30 cm often adds one more layer of cartons
Nominal vs usable CBM
Nominal volume is simply inside length × width × height: 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m gives about 33 CBM for a 20GP. You will not load 33 CBM of cartons. Carton sizes rarely divide evenly into the inside dimensions, the top layer leaves a gap under the roof, the door frame is lower than the inside height, and loaders need space to block and brace the cargo. That is why we plan on about 25–28 CBM for a 20GP, 55–58 CBM for a 40GP and 65–68 CBM for a 40HQ. Palletised cargo loses more space again, because pallets add height and leave gaps between rows. Use the calculator below to total your packing list, then compare the result with the usable figures, not the nominal ones.
Usable space: 20GP ~25–28 CBM, 40GP ~55–58, 40HQ ~65–68.
Payload: when cargo weighs out before it cubes out
Each container has a maximum gross weight, and payload is that figure minus the tare. A 40GP is twice as long as a 20GP but carries about the same weight, so dense cargo usually reaches the weight limit first: it weighs out before it cubes out. If a load of ceramic tiles weighs 25 tonnes but takes up only about 12 CBM, a 20GP is the efficient choice and a 40GP would add cost without adding capacity. The container's rated payload is not the only limit. Road weight rules in China and at destination can cap what a truck may carry, so heavy containers must be checked before booking. Weight must also be spread evenly along the floor, with the centre of gravity near the middle of the box.
Special equipment: reefer, open top and flat rack
Tap a card to flip it
| Equipment | Typical cargo | Booking notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reefer (20RF, 40RH) | Food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals needing temperature control | Give set temperature, ventilation and humidity; terminal and road plug-in costs extra |
| Open top (20OT, 40OT) | Machinery, glass, tall crates loaded by crane | Over-height cargo needs carrier approval |
| Flat rack (20FR, 40FR) | Vehicles, generators, steel structures, boats | Lashing plan, line approval and OOG surcharge |
| Dry 20GP, 40GP, 40HQ | Cartons, pallets, general cargo | Standard; widest availability |
As of November 2026, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to normal container shipping since 28 February, carriers discharge UAE cargo at ports outside the strait such as Khor Fakkan and truck it in. Several lines suspended reefer, dangerous goods and out-of-gauge bookings to many Gulf ports during 2026, and published higher emergency surcharges for reefer and special containers than for dry boxes. Availability changes often, so our team confirms acceptance for special equipment on each booking.
Which container for your cargo?
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0/9Frequently asked questions
What are the inside dimensions of a 20ft container?
Typically about 5.90 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high, with a door about 2.34 × 2.28 m. Exact figures vary slightly by box.
How many CBM fit in a 40HQ container?
About 76 CBM nominal, but in practice about 65–68 CBM of cartons, depending on carton sizes and how well they stack.
What is the difference between a 40GP and a 40HQ?
Same length and width; the 40HQ is about 30 cm taller inside (2.69 m vs 2.39 m), adding roughly 10 CBM of usable space. Payload is similar.
How much weight can a 20ft container carry?
Typical maximum payload is about 25,000–28,000 kg, but road weight limits in China and at destination can be lower, so check before booking.
Can a 40ft container carry twice the weight of a 20ft?
No. A 40GP carries roughly the same maximum weight as a 20GP, so heavy goods are usually shipped in 20GP containers.
What temperature range does a reefer container have?
Usually from about −30 °C to +30 °C. You give the set temperature, ventilation and humidity on the booking.
When do I need a flat rack or open top?
When cargo is too tall, wide or heavy to load through container doors, such as machinery or vehicles. Both need carrier approval.
Sources
- ISO 668:2020 – Series 1 freight containers: classification, dimensions and ratings
- IMO – Verification of the gross mass of a packed container (SOLAS VGM)
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' standard high cube container specification
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' standard container specification
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' reefer high cube container specification
- Maersk – Types and sizes of containers
- IMO – CTU Code (packing of cargo transport units)
- Lloyd's List Intelligence – Strait of Hormuz Brief, 22 October 2026
General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.