High cube container: meaning, height and sizes
A high cube container (HC or HQ) is a shipping container that is 1 ft taller than a standard one: 9′ 6″ (2.90 m) high outside instead of 8′ 6″ (2.59 m), and about 2.69 m (8′ 10″) high inside. Length and width are the same as standard containers. The common sizes are the 40ft high cube (76.0 m³), the 45ft high cube (85.7 m³) and the less common 20ft high cube (about 37.3 m³).
High cube container sizes
| High cube | Inside L × W × H | Door height | Volume | Tare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft high cube | 5.90 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m | 2.58 m | 37.3 m³ | 2,300 kg |
| 40ft high cube (40HC) | 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m | 2.58 m | 76.0 m³ | 3,900 kg |
| 45ft high cube (45HC) | 13.56 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m | 2.58 m | 85.7 m³ | 4,800 kg |
| 40ft high cube reefer (40RH) | 11.58 m × 2.29 m × 2.50 m | 2.48 m | 66.3 m³ | 4,480 kg |
How tall is a high cube container?
Outside: 9 ft 6 in (2.896 m). Inside: about 8′ 10″ (2.69 m). Door opening: about 8′ 5.5″ (2.58 m). A standard container is 8 ft 6 in outside and 2.39 m inside, so a high cube gives you an extra 30 cm (about 12 in) of usable height.
HC, HQ and high cube: what the codes mean
- HC (high cube) and HQ mean the same container; carriers simply use different abbreviations. 40HC = 40HQ.
- In the ISO 6346 size-type code, the second character 5 marks a 9′ 6″ high container: 45G1 is a 40ft high cube, L5G1 a 45ft high cube and 25G1 a 20ft high cube. See types of shipping containers.
- In Canada a high cube storage container is often called a high cube sea can.
High cube vs standard container
| 40ft standard | 40ft high cube | |
|---|---|---|
| Outside height | 8′ 6″ (2.59 m) | 9′ 6″ (2.90 m) |
| Inside height | 2.39 m | 2.69 m |
| Volume | 67.6 m³ | 76.0 m³ |
| Cartons 60 × 40 × 40 cm | 550 | 660 |
| Tare | 3,750 kg | 3,900 kg |
More in 40HQ vs 40GP.
When to use a high cube
- Light, bulky cargo such as furniture, textiles, toys, foam and household moves: you run out of space before weight.
- Double-stacked pallets: two pallets up to about 129 cm high each fit through the door.
- Tall items up to about 2.58 m that would not pass a standard door.
- Storage and conversions: the extra height makes container offices and workshops more comfortable.
For heavy cargo, the extra height does not help, because the payload limit is reached first; use a 20ft.
Frequently asked questions
What is a high cube container?
A shipping container 9′ 6″ tall instead of 8′ 6″, with the same length and width as a standard container.
How tall is a high cube container?
9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) outside and about 2.69 m inside.
Is HQ the same as HC?
Yes. 40HQ and 40HC are the same 40ft high cube container.
Is there a 20ft high cube container?
Yes, but it is much less common than the 40ft high cube and mostly used for storage and one-trip boxes.