Reefer container dimensions (20ft and 40ft)
A 20ft reefer is about 5.44 m × 2.29 m × 2.27 m inside (28.3 m³), and a 40ft high cube reefer about 11.58 m × 2.29 m × 2.50 m (66.3 m³). Reefers are smaller inside than dry containers of the same size because of the insulated walls and the refrigeration unit at the front.
20ft vs 40ft reefer
| 20ft reefer (20RF) | 40ft HC reefer (40RH) | |
|---|---|---|
| Inside L × W × H | 544 × 229 × 227 cm | 1158 × 229 × 250 cm |
| Inside (ft) | 17′ 10″ × 7′ 6″ × 7′ 5.5″ | 38′ 0″ × 7′ 6″ × 8′ 2.5″ |
| Door (W × H) | 229 × 223 cm | 229 × 248 cm |
| Volume | 28.3 m³ | 66.3 m³ |
| Max payload | 27,400 kg | 29,000 kg |
| Euro pallets (one layer) | 10 | 23 |
| US pallets (one layer) | 9 | 20 |
Typical values; reefer dimensions vary more between manufacturers than dry containers do.
Loading a reefer
- Keep below the red load line marked on the side walls, so cold air can circulate over the cargo.
- Use the T-floor. Cold air flows up through the T-shaped floor gratings; don't block them with cardboard or plastic.
- Pre-cool the cargo, not just the container. A reefer is built to keep cargo at temperature, not to cool it down.
- Leave space at the door end so air can return to the unit.
The inside width of about 229 cm matters for pallets: two 120 × 100 cm pallets fit side by side, but Australian 116.5 × 116.5 cm pallets do not, so they load in a single row. See pallets in a reefer container.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 40ft reefer container?
About 1158 × 229 × 250 cm inside for a 40ft high cube reefer, or 66.3 m³.
What are the dimensions of a 20ft reefer container?
About 544 × 229 × 227 cm inside, or 28.3 m³.
Why is a reefer smaller inside than a dry container?
Insulated walls, floor and roof take up several centimeters on each side, and the refrigeration unit sits inside the front end.