Container size & capacity guide

Compare 20ft, 40ft, 40HQ, and 45HC container dimensions before you book space.

Every planner eventually asks the same question: “Will this shipment fit in a 40ft container?” This page keeps the critical measurements within reach. Scroll through the data, note the door openings, and link back to the calculator when you need exact CBM per cargo line.

Container dimensions at a glance

ContainerInterior (L × W × H · m)Door (W × H · m)Usable CBM
20GP 20ft GP5.90 × 2.35 × 2.392.34 × 2.2833.00
40GP 40ft GP12.03 × 2.35 × 2.392.34 × 2.2867.00
40HQ 40ft HQ12.03 × 2.35 × 2.692.34 × 2.5876.00
45HC 45ft HC13.56 × 2.35 × 2.692.34 × 2.5885.00

Values come from industry-standard equipment specs. Always cross-check with the carrier if you expect tight tolerances or unusual cargo.

Pick the right container for each CBM range

Each container below includes a quick summary, suggested CBM bands, and tips for securing the load without exceeding door or ceiling limits. Mention the size when requesting quotes to avoid last-minute swaps on the quay.

20GP

20ft GP

A 20ft general purpose container (20GP) is ideal for dense cargo, sample runs, and smaller purchase orders. Internal dimensions of roughly 5.9 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m keep total usable volume near 33 m³.

Ideal CBM range
2633
Door opening
2.34 × 2.28 m
Loading tip
Keep pallet heights under 2.28 m to clear the door, even if interior space seems higher.

40GP

40ft GP

A 40ft general purpose container (40GP) doubles the length to 12.03 m and offers around 67 m³ of usable space. Exporters choose it when carton counts or pallets spill past the 20GP threshold.

Ideal CBM range
5467
Door opening
2.34 × 2.28 m
Loading tip
Keep pallet heights under 2.28 m to clear the door, even if interior space seems higher.

40HQ

40ft HQ

A 40ft high cube (40HQ) shares the 40GP footprint but extends the ceiling to 2.69 m. That extra headroom pushes usable volume to roughly 76 m³, making it the go-to pick for lightweight or bulky cargo.

Ideal CBM range
6176
Door opening
2.34 × 2.58 m
Loading tip
Keep pallet heights under 2.58 m to clear the door, even if interior space seems higher.

45HC

45ft HC

A 45ft high cube (45HC) stretches internal length to 13.56 m and keeps the higher 2.69 m ceiling. With about 85 m³ of usable volume it can consolidate oversized POS displays, furniture, or multiple suppliers.

Ideal CBM range
6885
Door opening
2.34 × 2.58 m
Loading tip
Keep pallet heights under 2.58 m to clear the door, even if interior space seems higher.

Container size & capacity FAQ

How many boxes fit in a 20ft container?

Divide the container CBM (33 m³ for a standard 20GP) by the CBM of one carton. A 0.12 m³ carton fits roughly 275 times in theory. In practice, plan for 250 to leave aisle space, bracing, and airflow.

What about 40ft and 40HQ containers?

A 40GP with 67 m³ can take about 550 cartons at 0.12 m³ each. The 40HQ raises the ceiling for 76 m³, which often unlocks another 70–100 cartons. Always confirm door width (2.34 m) and height (2.58 m) when pallets sit higher than two metres.

How do loading efficiency and η factor in?

Most planners apply an efficiency (η) between 0.8 and 0.95 to reflect bracing, uneven pallets, or aisle requirements. Multiply the container volume by η to estimate the true usable space before locking a booking.

When should I mix containers?

If CBM totals sit between two standard sizes, compare combinations. For example, one 40HQ plus one 20GP sometimes beats two 40GP units on both cost and space. The optimizer on our homepage runs this calculation automatically.

Feed these container specs into the CBM calculator

Once you know the target container, open the main CBM calculator, enter every cargo line, and compare loading efficiency and cost plans. CBM totals sync with 20GP/40GP/40HQ/45HC presets automatically.