CONTAINER DIMENSIONS & MAX WEIGHT
Container dimensions
Everything you need to know about container sizes for ocean freight
At TOP, we offer a complete overview of container sizes, from standard 20ft and 40ft containers to special sizes. Choose the right option for your transport.
20 ft. standard container
Length: 5.90m
Width: 2.35m
Height: 2.39m
Door width: 2.34m
Door height: 2.27m
Max weight: 28.19T
![Blue 20ft container, ideal for understanding container dimensions and suitable for efficient transport by sea freight](https://i0.wp.com/top.nl/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20ftdrycontainer-e1671448652307.png?quality=80&ssl=1)
![Blue 40ft open top container, ideal for understanding container dimensions and suitable for efficient transport via sea freight](https://i0.wp.com/top.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OpenTop-container.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)
20 ft. open top container
CONTAINER DIMENSIONS & MAX WEIGHT
Length: 5.90m
Width: 2.35m
Height: 2.35m
Door width: 2.34m
Door height: 2.24m
Max weight: 21.55T
20 ft. flat rack container
CONTAINER DIMENSIONS & MAX WEIGHT
Length: 5.96m
Width: 2.02m
Height: 2.08m
Max weight: 27.76T
![Blue 20ft flatrack container, ideal for understanding container dimensions and suitable for efficient transport by sea freight](https://i0.wp.com/top.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20ft-flatrack-container.webp?quality=80&ssl=1)
![Blue 40ft container, ideal for understanding container dimensions and suitable for efficient transport by sea freight](https://i0.wp.com/top.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/40DV-container.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)
40 ft. standard container
CONTAINER DIMENSIONS & MAX WEIGHT
Length: 12.03m
Width: 2.35m
Height: 2.39m
Door width: 2.34m
Door height: 2.27m
Max weight: 26.19T
40 ft. HC container
CONTAINER DIMENSIONS & MAX WEIGHT
Length: 12.03m
Width: 2.35m
Height: 2.69m
Door width: 2.34m
Door height: 2.58m
Max weight: 26.49T
![Blue 45ft High Cube container, ideal for understanding container dimensions and suitable for efficient transport by sea freight](https://i0.wp.com/top.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/45ft-HC-container-1.png?quality=80&ssl=1)
40 ft. open top container
CONTAINER DIMENSIONS & MAX PAYLOAD
Length: 12.02m
Width: 2.35m
Height: 2.38m
Door width: 2.34m
Door height: 2.24m
Max weight: 26.46T
![Blue 40ft open top container, ideal for understanding container dimensions and suitable for efficient transport via sea freight](https://i0.wp.com/top.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OpenTop-container.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)
![Blue 20ft flatrack container, ideal for understanding container dimensions and suitable for efficient transport by sea freight](https://i0.wp.com/top.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20ft-flatrack-container.webp?quality=80&ssl=1)
40 ft. flat rack container
CONTAINER DIMENSIONS & MAX PAYLOAD
Length: 11.99m
Width: 2.24m
Height: 1.97m
Max weight: 26.46T
45 ft. HC container
CONTAINER DIMENSIONS & MAX WEIGHT
Length: 13.58m
Width: 2.34m
Height: 2.69m
Door width: 2.34m
Door height: 2.58m
Max weight: 26.18T
![Blue 45ft High Cube container, ideal for understanding container dimensions and suitable for efficient transport by sea freight](https://i0.wp.com/top.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/45ft-HC-container-1.png?quality=80&ssl=1)
Reefer Container
![White 40ft reefer container, ideal for understanding container dimensions and suitable for efficient transport via sea freight](https://i0.wp.com/top.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/40ft-reefer-container.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)
A reefer container (short for "refrigerated container") is a special type of container used for transporting perishable goods that require a controlled temperature. These containers can be refrigerated, heated or kept at a constant temperature, depending on the requirements of the goods they carry. Reefer containers are used in shipping, road transport and air cargo to ensure products remain in the right conditions during long shipments.
Functions of a reefer container:
- Temperature control: Reefer containers can usually maintain temperatures from -30°C to +30°C. This makes it possible to transport both frozen and refrigerated goods.
- Air circulation: These containers have systems to regulate airflow, so that cool air circulates throughout the container and goods are cooled or heated evenly.
- Humidity control: Some reefer containers can also regulate humidity to maintain cargo quality.
Examples of goods that can be transported in a working reefer container:
Food products:
- Frozen foods: Meat, fish, poultry and frozen vegetables.
- Fresh produce: Fruits, vegetables, dairy products and flowers to be kept at a cooler but not frozen temperature.
- Ready-made meals: These need to stay fresh or be kept at a certain temperature.
Pharmaceuticals:
- Vaccines, medicines and other pharmaceutical products that are temperature-sensitive.
Other perishable goods:
- Chemicals: Some chemicals and industrial products also need temperature control.
In short, a reefer container is essential for the safe transportation of temperature-sensitive products over long distances, where accurate temperature control is crucial for maintaining the quality of the goods.
The dimensions of a reefer container are similar to those of standard containers, but with some minor differences due to the built-in cooling equipment. Here are the dimensions of a typical 20ft and 40ft reefer container:
20ft Reefer Container
External dimensions:
Length: 6,058 mm x Width: 2,438 mm x Height: 2,591 mm
Internal dimensions:
Length: 5,456 mm x Width: 2,294 mm x Height: 2,267 mm
Door width: 2.290 mm
Door height: 2.265 mm
Volume capacity: About 28.4 cubic metres
Maximum payload: Approximately 27,000 kg (depending on reefer specifications)
40ft Reefer Container
External dimensions:
Length: 12,192 mm x Width: 2,438 mm x Height: 2,591 mm
Internal dimensions:
Length: 11,584 mm x Width: 2,294 mm x Height: 2,267 mm
Door width: 2.290 mm
Door height: 2.265 mm
Volume capacity: Approximately 57.8 cubic metres
Maximum payload: Approximately 27,000 kg (depending on reefer specifications)
Remark:
High Cube Reefer Containers: There are also 40ft "High Cube" reefer containers, which offer extra height (usually 2,896 mm external height and 2,540 mm internal height), creating more space for cargo.
The interior dimensions are slightly smaller than standard containers due to the thickness of the insulated walls and the space occupied by the refrigeration unit.
Want to know more about container sizes? Ask our shippers for more information. They will be happy to help you! Or visit our website.
And would you like to know more about the genesis of Trans Ocean Pacific forwarding of shipping containers? Of course you can.