Question 1

What are the standard ocean shipping container sizes?

Accepted Answer

Four dry container sizes carry most of the world's containerized freight: the 20' Standard, the 40' Standard, the 40' High Cube, and the 45' High Cube. All four share the same 2.34 m wide door aperture and are built to ISO 668, so they load on the same vessels, trucks, and rail cars. The difference is length, height, and how much weight and volume each can legally carry.

Question 2

What is the difference between a 40' Standard and a 40' High Cube?

Accepted Answer

Length and width are identical. The High Cube is about one foot taller: 2.698 m of interior height versus 2.393 m in the standard box, which adds roughly 8.7 cubic meters of usable volume (76.4 vs 67.7 m3). Payload is nearly the same, so high cubes are the default choice for light, bulky cargo that cubes out before it weighs out.

Question 3

How many pallets fit in each container size?

Accepted Answer

With standard GMA pallets (48 x 40 in) loaded in a single tier: about 10 pallets in a 20' Standard, 20 to 21 in a 40' Standard or 40' High Cube, and up to 24 in a 45' High Cube, depending on the loading pattern. Double-stacking is possible when the cargo height and crush strength allow it. Gateway's free load planner computes the exact pattern for your carton or pallet dimensions.

Question 4

What do tare weight, max gross, and payload mean?

Accepted Answer

Tare is the weight of the empty container itself. Max gross is the heaviest the loaded container may legally be, which is 30,480 kg for all four sizes. Payload is what is left for your cargo: max gross minus tare. That is why the 20' Standard, with its lighter box, actually carries the highest payload (28,200 kg) of the four sizes.

Question 5

How big are the container doors?

Accepted Answer

All four sizes share a door aperture of 2.34 m wide. Standard-height containers clear 2.28 m at the door, and High Cubes clear 2.585 m. If a crated machine or oversized piece is close to these numbers, check the door aperture first: cargo that fits the interior but not the doorway needs an open-top or flat-rack instead.

Question 6

When should I choose a 45' High Cube?

Accepted Answer

When your cargo cubes out. The 45' High Cube offers 86.0 m3, the most volume of any standard dry box, and takes up to 24 GMA pallets in a single tier. It is common for furniture, apparel, and e-commerce replenishment. Availability varies by lane and carrier, so it is worth confirming equipment before committing a booking.

Question 7

Do all container sizes ship on the same vessels and lanes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All four are ISO-standard boxes and travel on the same container vessels, and 20' and 40' equipment is available on essentially every lane. Spot rates are typically quoted per size, which is why Gateway's live rates board shows 20', 40', and 40' High Cube pricing for each lane.

Question 8

How do I know which container size my shipment needs?

Accepted Answer

Start from your cargo list. Gateway's free load planner packs your exact carton and pallet dimensions into each container size in 3D and shows utilization, weight distribution, and whether the load fits legally. If you would rather have a person run it, request a quote and a Gateway team member will size the shipment with you.

Specification	20' Standard	40' Standard	40' High Cube	45' High Cube
Interior length	5.898 m	12.032 m	12.032 m	13.556 m
Interior width	2.352 m	2.352 m	2.352 m	2.352 m
Interior height	2.393 m	2.393 m	2.698 m	2.698 m
Door aperture (W x H)	2.34 x 2.28 m	2.34 x 2.28 m	2.34 x 2.58 m	2.34 x 2.58 m
Capacity	33.2 m3	67.7 m3	76.4 m3	86.0 m3
Max payload	28,200 kg	26,680 kg	26,580 kg	25,600 kg
Tare weight	2,280 kg	3,800 kg	3,900 kg	4,880 kg
Max gross	30,480 kg	30,480 kg	30,480 kg	30,480 kg
Pallets (single tier)	10	20 to 21	20 to 21	Up to 24

Shipping container sizes, in real scale.

40' High Cube

Every size, one table.

Stop guessing. Pack it in 3D, then book it.

Three more tools importers use daily.

US Tariff Calculator

Live Ocean Rates

3D Load Planner

Container sizes, answered.