What are the dimensions of a 40-foot container?

A 40' container has internal dimensions of about 12032 × 2352 × 2395 mm and a volume of 67.7 m³. The High Cube version (40'HC) is taller - 2698 mm of internal height and 76.4 m³ of volume.

How many euro pallets fit in a 40-foot container?

A 40' container holds 23-24 euro pallets (1200×800 mm) on the floor - they are arranged in two rows: one lengthwise and one across the container.

What is the difference between an HC (High Cube) container and a standard one?

A High Cube container is about 30 cm taller than a standard one - it has 2698 mm of internal height instead of 2395 mm. The length and width remain the same.

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Shipping container dimensions 20', 40' and 40'HC

Containers · approx. 5 min read · Published: 2 Jul 2026 · Updated: 9 Jul 2026

Planning a container loading? Below you will find the internal dimensions of shipping containers - 20-foot, 40-foot and High Cube - plus door dimensions, payload and practical conversions to euro and industrial pallets.

Shipping container dimensions table

Parameter	20' DV	40' DV	40' HC
Internal length	5898 mm	12032 mm	12032 mm
Internal width	2352 mm	2352 mm	2352 mm
Internal height	2395 mm	2395 mm	2698 mm
Door width	2340 mm	2340 mm	2340 mm
Door height	2280 mm	2280 mm	2585 mm
Volume	33.2 m³	67.7 m³	76.4 m³
Max. cargo weight	approx. 28 200 kg	approx. 26 700 kg	approx. 26 500 kg

Values may differ slightly between container manufacturers - for tight loads always leave a few centimetres of margin, especially at the door height.

How many pallets fit in a container?

Container	EUR pallets (1200×800)	Industrial pallets (1200×1000)
20' DV	11	9-10
40' DV / 40' HC	23-24	20-21

The key to maximum utilization is a mixed layout: one row of pallets placed lengthwise and another placed across the container. You will find the details in the guide how to optimally load a trailer and container.

Standard container or High Cube?

The 40' HC gives about 30 cm more height (2698 vs 2395 mm) - that is often one extra layer of boxes or the option to double-stack pallets.
HC freight costs are often only slightly higher, while the volume grows by almost 13% - for light, bulky goods the HC almost always pays off.
For heavy goods the limit is weight, not volume - then a standard 40' or 20' is enough.

Remember the doors

The door height is lower than the internal height (2280 mm in a standard container, 2585 mm in an HC). A loaded pallet taller than the door opening will not go inside, even if it would fit under the ceiling.

Related guides

Plan your container loading in 3D

Pallet3D arranges pallets and boxes in 20', 40' and HC containers, shows the fill rate and what will not fit - 14 days free.

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