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A 20ft container holds about 33 CBM, a 40ft holds about 68 CBM, and a 40ft high cube holds about 76 CBM. Pick by cargo volume first, then check the weight limit. Heavy, compact cargo suits a 20ft. Bulky, lighter cargo suits a 40ft or a high cube.
These sizes are for sea freight containers, the standard boxes loaded on cargo ships. Road trucks and air cargo use different sizes.
These are typical values for standard dry containers. Exact figures change by shipping line and container, so we confirm them when you book.
| 20ft | 40ft | 40ft high cube | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside length | 5.90 m | 12.03 m | 12.03 m |
| Inside width | 2.35 m | 2.35 m | 2.35 m |
| Inside height | 2.39 m | 2.39 m | 2.70 m |
| Door opening (width × height) | 2.34 × 2.29 m | 2.34 × 2.29 m | 2.34 × 2.60 m |
| Capacity | about 33 CBM | about 68 CBM | about 76 CBM |
| Empty weight | about 2,300 kg | about 3,700 kg | about 3,900 to 4,100 kg |
| Cargo weight limit | about 25,000 to 30,000 kg | about 27,500 to 28,800 kg | about 26,300 to 28,600 kg |
| TEU | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Sources: shipping line and forwarder specification sheets from Hapag-Lloyd, DSV and DHL Global Forwarding. Check Indian road and port weight limits too, since they can be lower than the container’s rating.
A 20ft container is the better choice for heavy, compact cargo. Machinery, tiles, metal parts and bagged goods usually reach the weight limit before they fill the space. It also suits loads of about 10 to 28 CBM, where a 40ft would travel half empty. A 20ft holds roughly 10 standard pallets (1.2 × 1.0 m) or 11 Euro pallets, depending on how you load it.
A 40ft container suits large volumes of lighter goods such as furniture, garments and packed consumer products. One 40ft often costs less than two 20ft containers, because you pay one freight charge for double the space. It also fits cargo longer than about 5.8 m, which will not go into a 20ft. A 40ft holds roughly 20 standard pallets or 23 to 25 Euro pallets.
A 40ft high cube is about 30 cm taller than a standard 40ft. Choose it for tall cargo or when you stack high. It is usually picked for light, bulky goods that fill the box by volume, not by weight.
Most sea containers travel by truck for the first and last part of the journey. Trucks and roads have their own length and weight limits, so a container that fits on the ship may need a different loading plan on the road. Check the limits with your transporter before you book, and confirm the total weight so the container is not overloaded.
Atlantic International Express handles FCL and LCL sea freight from India, including pickup, packing, customs paperwork, insurance, and tracking in the cities we serve. We help with customs clearance and can explain the shipping terms on your documents in our shipping glossary. To get a quote for your cargo, contact us with your cargo volume, weight and destination country.
A 20ft container holds about 33 CBM. A 40ft holds about 68 CBM, and a 40ft high cube holds about 76 CBM. You can never use all of it, because packing, pallets and gaps take some space.
A 20ft container carries about 25,000 to 30,000 kg of cargo. A 40ft carries about 27,500 to 28,800 kg. The limit depends on the shipping line and the container, so confirm it before you load.
Yes. TEU means twenty-foot equivalent unit. A 20ft container is 1 TEU and a 40ft container, standard or high cube, is 2 TEU.
About 67 to 76 CBM of cargo, or roughly 20 standard pallets or 23 to 25 Euro pallets. The real number depends on your box sizes and how you stack them.
Both are 12.03 m long and 2.35 m wide. A high cube is about 30 cm taller (2.70 m against 2.39 m), which gives about 76 CBM instead of 68 CBM.
Often yes, because you pay one freight charge for the larger box. Compare quotes for both, as rates change by route and season.
When your cargo is small, roughly under 15 CBM, sharing a container can cost less. See our FCL vs LCL guide.
