This free guide from our Portishead team explains every standard shipping container size, with internal dimensions and maximum payload, so you can choose the right unit before you book your sea freight movement. No sign up required. For confirmed container availability on your specific lane, contact our team. We respond within 1 working hour.
Standard Shipping Container Sizes at a Glance.
There are 4 standard dry container sizes used in international sea freight. Each one suits different cargo types depending on whether your goods are dense and heavy or bulky and light.
| Container | Internal Length | Internal Width | Internal Height | Max Payload |
| 20ft Standard | 5.9 metres | 2.35 metres | 2.39 metres | approximately 28,000 kg |
| 40ft Standard | 12.03 metres | 2.35 metres | 2.39 metres | approximately 26,500 kg |
| 40ft High Cube | 12.03 metres | 2.35 metres | 2.69 metres | approximately 26,500 kg |
| 45ft High Cube | 13.56 metres | 2.35 metres | 2.69 metres | approximately 28,000 kg |
These figures are indicative industry standard dimensions. Exact internal measurements can vary slightly between shipping lines. Our Portishead team confirms the precise specification for your booked container before your cargo is loaded.
20ft Shipping Container Size Explained.
The 20ft standard container has an internal capacity of approximately 33 cubic metres and a maximum payload of approximately 28,000 kg. It is the smallest standard dry container in general use.
The 20ft unit is best suited to dense, heavy cargo such as machinery parts, metal goods, tiles or packaged liquids, where the weight limit is reached before the available volume is filled. If your cargo is heavy but does not take up much physical space, a 20ft container is usually the most cost effective option.
40ft Standard Container Capacity Explained.
The 40ft standard container has an internal capacity of approximately 67 cubic metres, roughly double the volume of a 20ft unit, with a maximum payload of approximately 26,500 kg.
This is the most commonly used container size for general commercial cargo. It suits a wide range of goods where volume and weight are reasonably balanced, such as furniture, electronics, packaged consumer goods and general manufactured products.
40ft and 45ft High Cube Containers Explained.
High cube containers are 30 centimetres taller than standard units, giving an internal height of approximately 2.69 metres rather than 2.39 metres.
The 40ft high cube has the same footprint as a standard 40ft container but with extra vertical space, suited to bulky, lightweight cargo such as textiles, packaging materials or stacked goods where height matters more than weight.
The 45ft high cube is the largest standard dry container, with an internal capacity of approximately 86 cubic metres. It suits high volume shipments where maximising cubic capacity per container reduces the overall cost per unit shipped.
Specialist Containers for Out of Gauge Cargo.
Standard dry containers are not suitable for every type of cargo. Flat rack and open top containers are available for machinery, industrial equipment and oversized loads that exceed standard container dimensions.
Flat rack containers have no fixed sides, allowing cargo wider than the standard internal width to be lashed in place. Open top containers have a removable canvas or hard top roof, allowing cargo taller than the standard internal height to be loaded from above by crane.
Our Portishead team has direct operational experience arranging flat rack and open top sea freight for out of gauge cargo on routes including China, the USA and Germany. Contact us directly to discuss your specific dimensions before submitting a standard quote request.
How to Choose the Right Container Size.
Choosing the right container size comes down to a simple comparison between your cargo weight and your cargo volume.
If your goods are heavy relative to their size, such as machinery parts, ceramics or metal products, a 20ft container will usually reach its weight limit before the space is full, making it the most cost effective choice.
If your goods are bulky relative to their weight, such as furniture, textiles or packaging, a 40ft or 45ft high cube container makes better use of the available volume without wasting space.
If your cargo volume does not fill a full container at all, a less than container load service shares space with other shippers, so you only pay for the cubic metres you actually use rather than booking a whole unit.
Our Portishead team advises on the right container size and service type for your specific cargo at no charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 20ft shipping container has an internal length of approximately 5.9 metres, an internal width of approximately 2.35 metres and an internal height of approximately 2.39 metres, giving a capacity of around 33 cubic metres and a maximum payload of approximately 28,000 kg.
A 40ft standard container has an internal capacity of approximately 67 cubic metres and a maximum payload of approximately 26,500 kg, roughly double the volume of a 20ft unit at a similar weight limit.
A high cube container is 30 centimetres taller than a standard container, giving an internal height of approximately 2.69 metres rather than 2.39 metres. High cube units suit bulky, lightweight cargo where extra vertical space matters more than additional weight capacity.
This depends on whether your cargo is weight limited or volume limited. Dense, heavy goods often reach the 20ft weight limit before filling the space, making 20ft the more cost effective choice. Bulky, lighter goods make better use of the additional volume in a 40ft unit. Our Portishead team advises on the right size at no charge.
Flat rack and open top containers are available for cargo that exceeds standard container dimensions. Flat rack units suit wider loads with no fixed sides. Open top units suit taller loads loaded from above by crane. Contact our Portishead team directly to discuss your specific dimensions.
