20ft container dimensions
A 20ft container measures about 5.90 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high inside (19′ 4.5″ × 7′ 8.5″ × 7′ 10″). That is 33.1 m³ (1,170 ft³). It carries up to about 28,200 kg (62,170 lb) of cargo. The door opening is about 2.34 m wide and 2.28 m high.
20ft container specifications
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| Inside length | 5.90 m | 19′ 4.5″ |
| Inside width | 2.35 m | 7′ 8.5″ |
| Inside height | 2.39 m | 7′ 10″ |
| Outside length × width × height | 6.06 m × 2.44 m × 2.59 m | 19′ 10.5″ × 8′ 0″ × 8′ 6″ |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2.34 m × 2.28 m | 7′ 8″ × 7′ 6″ |
| Internal volume | 33.1 m³ | 1,170 ft³ |
| Max payload | 28,200 kg | 62,170 lb |
| Tare weight | 2,200 kg | 4,850 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,400 kg | 67,021 lb |
What fits in a 20ft container
- Euro pallets (120 × 80 cm), one layer: 11
- US pallets (48 × 40 in), one layer: 9
- Cartons 60 × 40 × 40 cm: about 262
- Cartons 50 × 40 × 30 cm: about 472
- Usable carton volume: roughly 25–28 m³
Counts are full 3D loading plans calculated with our load calculator, using the inside dimensions above. Pallet counts are single layer; see the pallet guides for double stacking.
When to use a 20ft container
The 20ft is the workhorse for heavy cargo. It carries almost the same payload as a 40ft in half the space, so dense goods such as tiles, steel, paper, stone, bagged minerals and machinery fill it efficiently. It is also the usual choice for shipments of roughly 15–28 m³ that are too big for LCL.
Its break-even density is about 851 kg per m³: cargo heavier than that per m³ reaches the weight limit before the container is full.
Frequently asked questions
What are the inside dimensions of a 20ft container?
About 590 × 235 × 239 cm (19′ 4.5″ × 7′ 8.5″ × 7′ 10″).
What are the outside dimensions of a 20ft container?
6.06 m × 2.44 m × 2.59 m (19′ 10.5″ × 8′ 0″ × 8′ 6″), set by the ISO 668 standard.
How many CBM is a 20ft container?
About 33.1 m³ of internal volume.
What is the max weight of a 20ft container?
About 28,200 kg of cargo; see container weight limits.