Shipping Container Dimensions: Size Table for High Cube, Dry Cube, Standard, 20ft, and 40ft Containers

Theoretical volume and actual loading capacity are two entirely different metrics. You might perfectly calculate your cargo's cubic volume, only to discover at the loading dock that the pallets don't fit through the door opening, or the last row won't fit due to the corrugated walls.

Let's break down the exact dimensions of shipping containers for 2026, hidden "space stealers," and the pallet math that will save you from downtime and repacking.

Exact Dimensions and Real Capacity

All dimensions are provided in millimeters (mm). External dimensions are ISO-standardized, but internal dimensions and door opening sizes are what you must focus on when planning a load.

1. Standard 20-foot Dry Cube (20’ DC)

• External: 6058 × 2438 × 2591 mm

• Internal: ~5898 × 2352 × 2393 mm

• Door opening: 2340 (width) × 2280 (height) mm

• Volume: Theoretical: 33.2 m³. Actual usable: 28–30 m³.

• Verdict: The king of heavy cargo. Ideal for metal, tiles, and liquids. It holds 11 Euro pallets (1200×800 mm) or 10 standard industrial pallets (1200×1000 mm).

2. 20-foot High Cube (20’ HC)

• External: 6058 × 2438 × 2896 mm

• Internal: ~5898 × 2352 × 2698 mm

• Door opening: 2340 (width) × 2585 (height) mm

• Volume: Theoretical: 37.2 m³. Actual usable: 32–34 m³.

• Verdict: A specialized solution for heavy but tall cargo. Important: In terms of floor area, it holds exactly the same number of pallets as a standard 20’ DC (11 Euro or 10 industrial). The extra 30 cm of height is not for increasing pallet count, but for loading unusually tall equipment, high racking, or for dense double-stacking of boxes without hitting the ceiling.

3. Standard 40-foot (40’ DC)

• External: 12192 × 2438 × 2591 mm

• Internal: ~12032 × 2352 × 2393 mm

• Door opening: 2340 × 2280 mm

• Volume: Theoretical: 67.7 m³. Actual usable: 58–60 m³.

• Verdict: For voluminous but lightweight cargo (furniture, plastics, textiles). Holds 23–25 Euro pallets.

4. 40-foot High Cube (40’ HC)

• External: 12192 × 2438 × 2896 mm (30.5 cm taller than standard)

• Internal: ~12032 × 2352 × 2698 mm

• Door opening: 2340 × 2585 mm

• Volume: Theoretical: 76.3 m³. Actual usable: 68–70 m³.

• Verdict: The modern industrial standard. Those extra 30 cm of height often allow for double-stacking cargo or placing high racking, saving up to 25% on freight cost per unit.

Container Dimensions Table by Type

Specialized Types: Where Space is Lost

• Reefers (20’ and 40’ HC RF): External dimensions match their dry counterparts. However, you lose 10–15% of internal volume. Reasons: thick polyurethane foam walls, aluminum T-bar flooring (for air circulation), and the refrigeration unit, which "eats up" about 30–40 cm of length at the front wall.

• Open Top: Internal height is the same as a DC, but the lack of a rigid roof allows for top-loading of oversized cargo. The door opening remains standard (a limitation for forklift entry).

• Flat Rack: No unified internal dimensions exist. Width and length depend on the specific manufacturer and the presence of collapsible end walls. Always request the specific box drawing.

3 Hidden Nuances That "Eat Up" Your Cargo Space

1. The Door Header Trap

Internal height (e.g., 2393 mm for DC) is measured at the container's center. At the doors, the top header beam often sags or is structurally 5–10 cm lower. If your cargo is 2350 mm tall, it might fit in the center but will get stuck when rolling through the door.

2. The Corrugation Effect

Container walls are not flat; they are corrugated. When stacking pallets tightly "flush" against the wall, you lose 5–8 cm of usable width on each side. Do not plan loading "millimeter to millimeter."

3. Thermal Expansion and Wear

In used containers (CW or As-Is), geometry can be compromised: a warped door frame or swollen wooden flooring after getting wet can "steal" a few more critical centimeters.

*The information on this page does not constitute a public offer.