Container sizes
Open top container dimensions (20ft and 40ft)
Short answer
A 20ft open top container is about 5.90 m × 2.35 m × 2.34 m inside with a payload of about 30,050 kg; a 40ft open top is about 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.34 m with about 28,450 kg. The roof is a removable tarpaulin, so tall cargo can be loaded from above by crane and can stick out over the top (as out-of-gauge cargo).
20ft vs 40ft open top
| 20ft open top | 40ft open top | |
|---|---|---|
| Inside L × W × H | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.34 m | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.34 m |
| Roof opening (L × W) | 5.34 × 2.23 m | 11.55 × 2.23 m |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.28 m |
| Capacity | 32.5 m³ | 66.8 m³ |
| Tare | 2,450 kg | 4,050 kg |
| Max payload | 30,050 kg | 28,450 kg |
When to use an open top container
- Cargo too tall for the door, such as machinery, timber, pipes or stone blocks.
- Heavy items that must be lifted in by crane rather than driven in by forklift.
- Bulk materials loaded from above.
If cargo is too wide as well as too tall, use a flat rack. For regular cargo, see standard container dimensions.
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Open in the load calculator →Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 20ft open top container?
About 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.34 m inside, with a roof opening of about 5.34 × 2.23 m.
What are the dimensions of a 40ft open top container?
About 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.34 m inside, with a roof opening of about 11.55 × 2.23 m.
Can cargo stick out of an open top container?
Yes, as out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo by arrangement with the carrier, usually at extra cost and with restricted stowage on the ship.
Related guides
Container sizesFlat rack container dimensions (20ft and 40ft)A 20ft flat rack is about 5.64 × 2.44 × 2.23 m with ~42 t payload; a 40ft flat rack about 11.65 × 2.35 × 2.27 m with ~49 t.
Container sizesShipping container door dimensionsStandard container doors open about 2.34 m wide and 2.28 m high; high cube doors about 2.58 m high.
Shipping basicsShipping container terms explainedWhat conex, sea can, ISO container and intermodal container mean, plus container codes like GP, DV, HC, HQ, RF, OT and FR, and weights like tare, payload and VGM.