Choosing between a 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft high cube container affects your freight cost, how your goods are packed and even which truck carries them by road. This guide compares the standard container sizes used for shipping to and from Pakistan, the Gulf and the rest of the world.
Standard dry container sizes (approximate)
| Container | Inside length × width × height | Volume | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standard | about 5.9 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m | about 33 CBM | Heavy goods: tiles, steel, rice, machinery parts |
| 40 ft standard | about 12.0 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m | about 67 CBM | Large volumes of normal-weight goods |
| 40 ft high cube | about 12.0 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m | about 76 CBM | Light, bulky goods: furniture, textiles, cartons |
Exact dimensions and maximum payload vary by container and shipping line, so always check the figures for the box you are booking.
Volume vs weight
A 40 ft container is twice as long as a 20 ft but cannot carry twice the weight. That is why dense cargo usually goes in 20 ft boxes and light, bulky cargo in 40 ft or high cube boxes. Road weight limits also matter – a heavy 20 ft container may already be at the legal limit for the truck.
Usable space is less than the full volume
Cartons, pallets and furniture leave gaps. In practice you might load around 25–28 CBM in a 20 ft and 55–60 CBM in a 40 ft, depending on packing. Our CBM and container load calculator shows the percentage of space and weight your goods would use.
Other container types
- Reefer – refrigerated, for fruit, meat, dairy and medicines.
- Open top – loaded from above by crane, for tall cargo.
- Flat rack – no sides or roof, for oversized machinery and vehicles.
- Tank – for liquids such as edible oil and chemicals.
LCL if you don’t need a full container
For small shipments, LCL (less than container load) lets you pay for your share of a container. It is cheaper for small volumes but takes longer because goods are consolidated and separated at warehouses.
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets fit in a container?
It depends on pallet size; standard pallets fit roughly 10 in a 20 ft and 20–21 in a 40 ft in a single layer.
Is a high cube more expensive?
Often only slightly more than a 40 ft standard, and the extra height can be very useful for bulky goods.
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