What Are the Standard Dimensions of a Container

Maritime containers are transported all over the world by sea, land, and even air. Their mass transport is possible due to standardized sizes, which allow them to be placed side by side or stacked in multiple tiers. This enables entire container ships to be loaded or two containers to be placed one after another on a truck trailer. This standardization drives globalization in the logistics market, allowing goods to reach even the most remote corners of the world while utilizing intermodal transport. Container sizes are manufactured according to ISO standards, ensuring compatibility with all transport methods and other containers.

Basic Types of Containers

The most commonly used containers are the 20-foot and 40-foot models.

20-foot containers are among the most recognizable and are mainly used for heavier cargo in transport, and for smaller volumes in storage.

20-foot container dimensions:

External:

Internal:

40-foot containers are twice as long, making them suitable for larger-volume cargo, though not necessarily heavier than that carried in 20-foot models. Because they can accommodate more goods, they are particularly popular in international transport.

40-foot container dimensions:

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Internal:

Both types are also available in a version raised by 30 cm, known as High Cube, which increases their internal height to 2.9 m and allows the transport of taller goods.

There are also 45-foot containers, dedicated to the largest volumes. These are increasingly popular, usually in HC (High Cube) and PW (Pallet Wide) versions, meaning they are both 30 cm higher and about 6 cm wider than standard models.

45’ HCPW container dimensions:

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Internal:

Weight and Capacity

In shipping container transport, the carrying capacity limits for the weight of the goods inside, as well as the tare weight, are also important. These combined determine the maximum total container weight and allow for reference to transport procedures or preparing a site for storage in a specific area. A 20-foot container has a tare weight of 2245kg, with a payload of 28235kg. A 40-foot container has a tare weight of 3770kg and can, surprisingly, carry a larger but lighter load of up to 26710kg. For 45-foot containers, the tare weight exceeds 4 tons, reaching 4260kg, and can hold up to 29740kg.

Refrigerated Containers

Besides standard shipping containers, refrigerated containers (RF – reefer) are also widely used for transporting and storing temperature-sensitive products under stable conditions. While their external dimensions remain standardized, their internal space is reduced due to thicker insulation and cooling equipment. They also come in 20’, 40’, and 45’ sizes.

20’ RF container dimensions:

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Internal:

40’ HCRF container dimensions:

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45’ HCRF PW container dimensions:

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Internal:

Specialized Containers

On the market, you can also find specialized containers, such as flat racks (without a roof and side walls), open-top containers (with a tarpaulin roof), bulk containers for loose goods, and containers with additional doors (double door and open side). Despite their specialized uses, these containers also have standardized external dimensions, ensuring they can be transported and stacked like standard units.

The universality of container dimensions makes them the backbone of global trade, enabling seamless transport of goods across the world. Knowing the size of a container allows easy estimation of cargo volume while ensuring compliance with international weight standards. Transport infrastructure – from trailers to container ships – is built to fit these dimensions, reinforcing containers as a critical element in logistics and international commerce.