Shipping basics
What is a TEU?
Short answer
A TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) is the standard unit for counting containers. One 20ft container = 1 TEU, a 40ft container = 2 TEU (also called 1 FEU, forty-foot equivalent unit), and a 45ft container is usually counted as 2.25 TEU. Ship sizes, port volumes and many freight rates are expressed in TEU.
TEU by container type
| Container | TEU | Inside volume |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard / reefer | 1 | 33.1 m³ (dry) |
| 40ft standard | 2 | 67.6 m³ |
| 40ft high cube | 2 | 76.0 m³ |
| 45ft high cube | 2.25 | 85.7 m³ |
TEU counts length, not height, so a 40ft high cube is still 2 TEU even though it holds about 13% more than a standard 40ft.
Where you see TEU
- Ship capacity. The largest container ships carry over 24,000 TEU.
- Port throughput. Ports report how many TEU they handle per year.
- Freight indexes and contracts. Rates are often quoted per TEU or per FEU (40ft).
For planning your own shipment, TEU matters less than the inside dimensions and payload of the container you book.
Check your own cargoEnter your carton or pallet size and get a 3D loading plan in seconds.
Open in the load calculator →Frequently asked questions
How many TEU is a 40ft container?
Two TEU, also called one FEU (forty-foot equivalent unit).
What does FEU mean?
Forty-foot equivalent unit: one 40ft container, equal to 2 TEU.
Is a high cube container more TEU?
No. A 40ft high cube is 2 TEU, the same as a standard 40ft.
Related guides
Containers20ft vs 40ft container: which one do you need?A 40ft container has about twice the volume of a 20ft (67.6 vs 33.1 m³) but a lower payload.
Shipping basicsLCL vs FCL: when should you book a full container?LCL is charged per CBM; FCL is a flat rate per container.
Container sizes40ft container dimensionsA 40ft container is 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m inside (39′ 5.5″ × 7′ 8.5″ × 7′ 10″), 67.6 m³, with a max payload of about 26,700 kg.