Shipping Container Sizes & Dimensions: 20FT vs 40FT vs High Cube
Exact dimensions, capacity and payload for 20FT, 40FT and 40FT high cube shipping containers — plus pallet counts and how to choose the right size in Saudi Arabia.
Quick answer
A 20FT container is about 6.06 m long with roughly 33 CBM of space; a 40FT is 12.19 m long with about 67 CBM; a 40FT high cube has the same footprint as a 40FT but is 30 cm taller, giving about 76 CBM. All three are 2.44 m wide.
Key takeaways
- Every standard container is 2.44 m (8 ft) wide; length and height are what change.
- A 40FT gives you twice the floor space of a 20FT, usually at a lower cost per cubic metre.
- High cube adds one foot (30 cm) of height — the standard choice for site offices and conversions.
- Pick the size by what you store, how you'll access it, and what your site can physically receive.
Container sizes are standardised internationally under ISO 668, which is why a 20FT box bought in Dammam fits the same trucks, cranes and ships as one in Rotterdam. Below are the typical dimensions for the sizes we trade most in Saudi Arabia, and how to decide between them.
What are the dimensions of a 20FT, 40FT and high cube container?
| 20FT Standard | 40FT Standard | 40FT High Cube | |
|---|---|---|---|
| External (L × W × H) | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.89 m |
| Internal (L × W × H) | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.58 m |
| Capacity | ≈ 33 CBM | ≈ 67.7 CBM | ≈ 76.3 CBM |
| Tare weight | ≈ 2,200 kg | ≈ 3,800 kg | ≈ 3,900 kg |
| Max payload | ≈ 28,200 kg | ≈ 28,800 kg | ≈ 28,600 kg |
Figures are typical for the type — every unit's exact tare and maximum gross weight are printed on its CSC safety-approval plate and on the doors, and we confirm them per unit on your quotation. Full specifications for each type are on our container types page.
How many pallets fit in a 20FT or 40FT container?
Floor-loaded in a single layer, a 20FT takes about 10 standard pallets (1,200 × 1,000 mm) or 11 Euro pallets (1,200 × 800 mm). A 40FT or 40FT high cube takes about 20–21 standard pallets or 23–24 Euro pallets. High cube doesn't add floor space — it adds height, which helps when goods are light and can be stacked.
Is a 40FT container better value than a 20FT?
Usually, per cubic metre. A 40FT costs more than a 20FT but not twice as much, and it needs only one delivery. The 20FT wins when space on site is tight, when the goods are heavy rather than bulky (both sizes carry a similar maximum payload), or when you need units spread across several locations.
When should you choose a high cube container?
- Site offices, accommodation and workshops — once insulation, flooring and a ceiling are fitted, people can still stand comfortably. See our guide to container site offices.
- Light, bulky goods — furniture, packaging, insulation materials and similar loads that fill space before they hit the weight limit.
- Tall equipment — the door opening is 30 cm higher than a standard box.
What about specialised sizes?
Refrigerated reefers come in 20FT and 40FT (usually high cube) with slightly smaller internal dimensions because of the insulation. Open top and flat rack containers exist for cargo that won't go through a door. Read our reefer container guide if you need cold storage.
How to choose the right container size
- 1Measure what you'll store — volume and the single heaviest item, not just total weight.
- 2Check your site — ground space for the container, plus clear access for the delivery truck (see delivery and site preparation).
- 3Decide on access — double doors at one end are standard; side-door and open-top versions exist.
- 4Choose the grade — new (one-trip) or used; the grade guide explains the difference.
Not sure which size fits? Tell us what you're storing and where, and we'll recommend one.
Get a sizing recommendation
