40ft high cube container dimensions
A 40ft high cube container measures about 12.03 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.69 m high inside (39′ 5.5″ × 7′ 8.5″ × 8′ 10″). That is 76.0 m³ (2,686 ft³). It carries up to about 26,500 kg (58,422 lb) of cargo. It is 1 ft (30 cm) taller than a standard 40ft, with a door about 2.58 m high.
40ft high cube container specifications
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| Inside length | 12.03 m | 39′ 5.5″ |
| Inside width | 2.35 m | 7′ 8.5″ |
| Inside height | 2.69 m | 8′ 10″ |
| Outside length × width × height | 12.19 m × 2.44 m × 2.90 m | 40′ 0″ × 8′ 0″ × 9′ 6″ |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2.34 m × 2.58 m | 7′ 8″ × 8′ 5.5″ |
| Internal volume | 76.0 m³ | 2,686 ft³ |
| Max payload | 26,500 kg | 58,422 lb |
| Tare weight | 3,900 kg | 8,598 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,400 kg | 67,021 lb |
What fits in a 40ft high cube container
- Euro pallets (120 × 80 cm), one layer: 25 (23–24 in practice)
- US pallets (48 × 40 in), one layer: 20
- Cartons 60 × 40 × 40 cm: about 660
- Cartons 50 × 40 × 30 cm: about 1,150
- Usable carton volume: roughly 58–65 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.
Why choose a high cube
- About 8.5 m³ more space than a 40GP on the same floor.
- Pallets up to about 129 cm tall can be double-stacked through the 2.58 m door.
- Rates are often close to a 40GP on major routes, which makes it the default for light, bulky cargo.
The outside height is 9′ 6″ (2.90 m) instead of 8′ 6″. Check bridge and tunnel clearances for road transport in your area.
Frequently asked questions
What are the inside dimensions of a 40ft high cube container?
About 1203 × 235 × 269 cm (39′ 5.5″ × 7′ 8.5″ × 8′ 10″).
What are the outside dimensions of a 40ft high cube container?
12.19 m × 2.44 m × 2.90 m (40′ 0″ × 8′ 0″ × 9′ 6″), set by the ISO 668 standard.
How many CBM is a 40ft high cube container?
About 76.0 m³ of internal volume.
What does HC or HQ mean on a container?
High cube: the container is 9′ 6″ tall outside instead of the standard 8′ 6″.