Types of shipping containers
The main types of shipping containers are dry (general purpose), high cube, refrigerated (reefer), open top, flat rack, open side, tank and bulk or ventilated containers. Most come in 20ft and 40ft lengths, all are 8 ft wide, and each is identified by an ISO 6346 size-type code such as 22G1 (20ft dry) or 45G1 (40ft high cube).
Shipping container types at a glance
| Type | What it is | Typical cargo | Lengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry / general purpose (GP, DV) | Closed steel box with end doors | Cartons, pallets, most general cargo | 10, 20, 40 ft |
| High cube (HC, HQ) | Dry container 1 ft taller (9′ 6″) | Light, bulky goods; double-stacked pallets | 20, 40, 45 ft |
| Reefer (RF, RH) | Insulated, with a refrigeration unit | Fruit, meat, fish, pharma | 20, 40 ft |
| Open top (OT) | Removable tarpaulin roof | Tall cargo loaded by crane | 20, 40 ft |
| Flat rack (FR) | Floor and end walls only | Machinery, vehicles, oversized cargo | 20, 40 ft |
| Platform | Flat floor with no walls | Very heavy or oversized single pieces | 20, 40 ft |
| Open side / side door | Doors along one long side | Side loading, storage, pop-up use | 20, 40 ft |
| Double door / tunnel | Doors at both ends | Fast loading and unloading, storage | 20, 40 ft |
| Tank (ISO tank) | Steel tank in a 20ft frame | Liquids, gases, chemicals, food liquids | 20 ft |
| Bulk / ventilated | Roof hatches or vents | Grain, coffee beans, dry bulk | 20 ft |
| Insulated / thermal | Insulated walls without a cooling unit | Goods sensitive to temperature swings | 20, 40 ft |
| Pallet-wide | About 2.44 m wide inside, for two Euro pallets across | European short-sea and road | 40, 45 ft |
| Domestic 53 ft | Longer, wider North American box | Rail and road in the US, Canada and Mexico | 53 ft |
Shipping container sizes
| Container | Inside L × W × H | Volume | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10' Standard (10GP) | 2.83 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m | 15.9 m³ | 8,860 kg |
| 20' Standard (20GP) | 5.90 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m | 33.1 m³ | 28,200 kg |
| 40' Standard (40GP) | 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m | 67.6 m³ | 26,700 kg |
| 40' High Cube (40HQ) | 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m | 76.0 m³ | 26,500 kg |
| 45' High Cube (45HQ) | 13.56 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m | 85.7 m³ | 27,700 kg |
| 20' Reefer (20RF) | 5.44 m × 2.29 m × 2.27 m | 28.3 m³ | 27,400 kg |
| 40' High Cube Reefer (40RH) | 11.58 m × 2.29 m × 2.50 m | 66.3 m³ | 29,000 kg |
| 20' Open Top (20OT) | 5.90 m × 2.35 m × 2.34 m | 32.4 m³ | 30,050 kg |
| 40' Open Top (40OT) | 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.34 m | 66.2 m³ | 28,450 kg |
Full details for each size: shipping container dimensions.
ISO container type codes (ISO 6346)
Every container carries a four-character size-type code next to its number, for example 45G1. The first character is the length, the second the height, and the last two the type.
| Code | Container | Code | Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22G1 | 20ft dry, 8′ 6″ high (20GP) | 22R1 | 20ft reefer |
| 25G1 | 20ft high cube | 45R1 | 40ft high cube reefer |
| 42G1 | 40ft dry (40GP) | 22U1 / 42U1 | 20ft / 40ft open top |
| 45G1 | 40ft high cube (40HC) | 22P1 / 42P1 | 20ft / 40ft flat rack |
| L5G1 | 45ft high cube | 22T… | 20ft tank container |
- Length: 1 = 10 ft, 2 = 20 ft, 4 = 40 ft, L = 45 ft.
- Height: 2 = 8′ 6″, 5 = 9′ 6″ (high cube).
- Type group: G = general purpose, R = reefer, U = open top, P = platform or flat rack, T = tank, B = bulk, V = ventilated, H = insulated.
The last digit gives detail within the group and can differ by owner (for example 22G0 and 22G1). Nicknames such as GP, DV, HC and HQ are explained in shipping container terms.
How to choose a container type
- Boxed or palletized cargo: a dry 20ft for heavy goods, a 40ft high cube for light, bulky goods.
- Temperature-sensitive cargo: a reefer.
- Too tall for the door: open top. Too wide or heavy: flat rack or platform.
- Liquids or bulk: tank or bulk container, or a flexitank in a dry container.
Then check how much fits with the container load calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of shipping containers?
Dry (general purpose), high cube, reefer, open top, flat rack, open side, tank, bulk and insulated containers.
What is the most common type of shipping container?
The dry 40ft high cube and the dry 20ft standard container.
What does 45G1 mean on a container?
It is the ISO size-type code for a 40ft high cube general purpose container.
What does 22G1 mean?
A 20ft, 8′ 6″ high general purpose (dry) container.