If you search for the dimension for 20ft container and dimension 40ft containers on Google, you will get different numbers on every website that only talk about general information. Here at Eximpedia, we have mentioned the shipping container dimensions that are actually used practically on the field. So, you donโt have to be confused anymore about the size of the shipping container dimensions.
For you to import or export your goods in containers, you must be wondering how wide are shipping containers? or What are the dimensions of a 40 foot shipping container? or What size is a 20ft container?
You must know the standard dimensions of shipping containers involved in the transportation of import and export goods. So let us understand the 40โ ft container dimensions and 20โ ft container dimensions.
Table of Contents
Dimensions of containers used in shipping
There are many types of shipping containers that are involved in import-export and of course, each container type has different dimensions. Here we have mentioned the most widely used 20feet and 40 feet closed containers only for ease of understanding. In the end, we shall tell you how you can know the dimensions of any type of container.
How many types of containers are there?
These are the shipping container type that is commonly used in shipping during import and export trade. โ
- 40 feet High Cube Container (40ft HQ or 40ft HC)
- 40 feet General purpose Container (40ft GP)
- 20 feet High Cube Container (20ft HQ or 20ft HC)
- 20 feet General Purpose Container (20ft GP)
What are shipping container dimensions?
Do note down the below mention internal dimensions of shipping containers. We have mentioned the dimensions of containers in meters in the table below. Please refer to the shipping container size chart.
Dimensions of 40ft High Cube Container (40ft HQ or 40ft HC) โ
The inner dimensions of 40 high cube shipping containers are 12.05 x 2.35 x 2.69m and it can carry 26500kgs of goods/cargo.
| Length x Width x Height | Cubic Capacity | Cargo Weight that can fit in the container |
| 12.05 x 2.35 x 2.69m | 76mยณ | 26500kgs |
Dimensions of 40ft General Purpose Container (40ft GP) โ
The inner dimension of 40 feet container is 12.05 x 2.35 x 2.36m and it can carry 26500kgs of goods/cargo.
| Length x Width x Height | Cubic Capacity | Cargo Weight that can fit in the container |
| 12.05 x 2.35 x 2.36m | 66mยณ | 26500kgs |
Dimensions of 20ft High Cube Container (20ft HQ or 20ft HC) โ
20โft container dimensions for high cube container are 5.89 x 2.35 x 2.69m and it can carry 21700kgs of goods/cargo.
| Length x Width x Height | Cubic Capacity | Cargo Weight that can fit in the container |
| 5.89 x 2.35 x 2.69m | 37mยณ | 21700kgs |
Dimensions of 20ft General Purpose Container (20ft GP) โ
| Length x Width x Height | Cubic Capacity | Cargo Weight that can fit in the container |
| 5.89 x 2.35 x 2.36m | 33mยณ | 21700kgs |
So, a 20โ ft General Purpose dimension of containers 20ft. are 5.89 x 2.35 x 2.36m and it can carry 21700kgs of goods/cargo.
Common types of shipping containers
Do watch Eximpedia Instagram Reel on all the types of shipping containers โ
Why are container dimensions fixed or standardized?
The dimensions of the containers were not fixed when the global trade started and when this loophole was recognized, the sizes of the containers were then standardized which helped the importers, exporters, transporters, etc to plan their shipments in a way that was standard for all for sending goods globally.
Thus, saving on a lot of costs involved in making containers and planning for transport. Also, due to the standard size of the containers, it is easier to stack the containers on top of each other while transporting in ships and while unloading at the port. This helps to transport a large number of containers at the same time on a single ship which otherwise would take a lot of space.
Web Story on types of shipping containers
[ms_get_single_post post_id=โ1440โฒ]Difference between High cube and General Purpose Container-
The major difference between the dimensions of high cube shipping containers and general-purpose or standard containers is their external height while high cube container has a height of 2.69m, general purpose containers have a height of 2.36m.
Apart from height, High cube containers are very useful and easy to transport goods that are light in weight but are in huge quantities or bulk while general purpose cargo as the name suggests are used in transporting all goods in general and is also called a dry container.
How to check the internal dimensions of containers used in shipping?
You can know the dimensions of any container and its capacity by just reading the door of the container. On every container dimension and capacity are written either on the door or outside of the container. Observe it next time you see a container on road.
We hope Eximpedia has made the dimensions and capacity of the 40ft and 20ft containers clear through this article. Do check our web story article on Types of Shipping Containers if you are interested in knowing more about containers and their uses in the import-export trade.
What are open-top container dimensions?
The most commonly used open top container dimensions are 20โ and 40โ feet and the internal dimensions of open top containers are 5.89 x 2.35 x 2.36m.
These open top containers can be used for all types of general dry cargo where the packing and unpacking of tall cargo can be done above the containers by crane.
Dimensions of ISO containers?
The Dimensions of ISO containers is 6.06*2.44*2.6m (l*w*h)
What is the outer dimension of 20 gp container?
20L X 8W X 8.6H in meters is the outer dimension of 20โ gp container.
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WHY THE BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE TONNAGE OF 40โฒ AND 20โฒ CONTAINER.
+- โ 26T TO 21T BUT THE SIZE IS 1 TO 2?
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