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Shipping Container Sizes and Specifications
This guide gives the internal dimensions, door openings, weights and cubic capacity of the main shipping container types used by shipping lines worldwide: 20′, 40′ and 45′ general purpose and high cube containers, open tops, hard tops, flat racks, collapsible flat racks, reefers, tank containers, and Bicon, Tricon and Quadcon military containers. Choose a container below for its full specifications. Sizes vary slightly between carriers, so use these figures as a guide only. Depth Logistics ships containers worldwide and handles container cartage, packing and unpacking from our Depth Defence Logistics Centres (2DLCs) in Brisbane and Darwin and our Townsville depot.
Container types
Compare container sizes at a glance
| Container | Inside L x W x H (mm) | Door opening W x H (mm) | Max payload (kg) | Capacity (m3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20′ General Purpose Container | 5,898 x 2,350 x 2,350 | 2,337 x 2,261 | 30,200 | 33.2 |
| 20′ High Cube General Purpose Container | 5,902 x 2,350 x 2,667 | 2,337 x 2,565 | 28,160 | 37.28 |
| 20′ Hard Top Container | 5,886 x 2,342 x 2,384 | – | 27,780 | 32.1 |
| 20′ Open Top Container | 5,895 x 2,350 x 2,376 | 2,230 x 2,230 | 29,650 | 32.1 |
| 20′ Flat Rack Container | 5,612 x 2,227 x 2,219 | – | 31,260 | – |
| 20′ Refrigerated Container | 5,446 x 2,280 x 2,255 | – | 27,575 | 28.2 |
| 20′ Tank Container | – | – | – | 21,000 litres (typical) |
| 40′ General Purpose Container | 12,029 x 2,350 x 2,350 | 2,340 x 2,292 | 26,700 | 67.7 |
| 40′ High Cube General Purpose Container | 12,029 x 2,350 x 2,667 | 2,337 x 2,565 | 28,200 | 76.3 |
| 40′ Hard Top Container | 12,020 x 2,342 x 2,380 | – | 29,650 | 67.0 |
| 40′ High Cube Hard Top Container | 12,029 x 2,350 x 2,693 | – | 25,580 | 76.1 |
| 40′ Open Top Container | 12,029 x 2,350 x 2,377 | 2,336 x 2,261 | 29,650 | 66.3 |
| 40′ High Cube Open Top Container | 12,029 x 2,350 x 2,683 | 2,336 x 2,565 | 28,250 | 74.9 |
| 40′ High Cube Flat Rack Container | 11,652 x 2,148 x 2,248 | – | 44,050 | – |
| 40′ High Cube Refrigerated Container | 11,578 x 2,280 x 2,540 | – | 29,700 | 66.7 |
| 45′ High Cube General Purpose Container | 13,556 x 2,350 x 2,667 | 2,337 x 2,565 | 27,450 | 86 |
| 20′ & 40′ Collapsible Flat Racks | 20′: 6,058 x 2,438 (platform) 40′: 12,192 x 2,245 (platform) | – | 20′: 31,260 40′: 44,050 | – |
| Bicon Military Container | 2,825 x 2,261 x 2,385 | – | 10,470 | 15.23 |
| Tricon Military Container | 1,915 x 2,264 x 2,330 | – | 5,579 | 10.09 |
| Quadcon Military Container | 1,395 x 2,261 x 2,300 | – | 4,040 | 7.25 |
20′ containers
- 20′ General Purpose Container
- 20′ High Cube General Purpose Container
- 20′ Hard Top Container
- 20′ Open Top Container
- 20′ Flat Rack Container
- 20′ Refrigerated Container
- 20′ Tank Container
40′ and 45′ containers
- 40′ General Purpose Container
- 40′ High Cube General Purpose Container
- 40′ Hard Top Container
- 40′ High Cube Hard Top Container
- 40′ Open Top Container
- 40′ High Cube Open Top Container
- 40′ High Cube Flat Rack Container
- 40′ High Cube Refrigerated Container
- 45′ High Cube General Purpose Container
- 20′ & 40′ Collapsible Flat Racks
Military containers
How internal measurements are taken
- Internal width: between the two longest sides, inside the container.
- Internal length: between the two shortest sides, inside the container.
- Internal height: from the floor to the ceiling, inside the container.
- Door opening width: between the inside right and left of the support frames, allowing a narrow gap for the door’s opening radius.
- Door opening height: from the floor to the underside of the horizontal cross support (the top of the door opening). It is usually the same as or less than the internal height.
External dimensions
For most shippers the cargo capacity matters most, but you may also need external dimensions for transport or loading, for example to check there is room to open the doors. Contact us if you need the external dimensions of any container.A guide only
Dimensions differ slightly between carriers, so use this information as a guide. For advice on the right container for your cargo, contact us. If your cargo is too large for a container, we can ship heavy lift and oversize cargo by roll on roll off services or heavy lift ships (see roll trailer shipping).Container packing, unpacking and cartage in Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville
- Container unloading and loading service (rates exclude GST; GST is additional)
- Container cartage and heavy haulage
- Container packing guide and flatrack packing guide
- Container fumigation
- International shipping
24-hour line
07 3054 4670Coolangatta
Head office
2/17 Griffith St
Coolangatta QLD 4225
Postal address: PO Box 811
Coolangatta QLD 4225
Brisbane
8 Culya St
Pinkenba QLD 4008
Darwin
31 Muramats Rd
East Arm NT 0822
Townsville
16 Mackley St
Garbutt QLD 4814
Frequently asked questions
What are the internal dimensions of a 20′ shipping container?
A 20′ general purpose container is 5,898 mm long, 2,350 mm wide and 2,350 mm high inside, with about 33.2 m³ capacity (minimum ISO 668 dimensions; carriers vary). See the 20′ GP page.
What is the difference between a general purpose and a high cube container?
A high cube is taller than a standard general purpose container of the same length, giving more cubic capacity. See each container's page for exact figures.
Which container should I use for oversize or heavy cargo?
Flat racks, open tops and hard tops suit oversize or heavy items; cargo too large for any container can go by roll on roll off or heavy lift ship.
Do container sizes vary between shipping lines?
Yes, slightly. Use these figures as a guide and confirm with us before booking.
