20-foot Container - Dimensions, Specs and Weight

The standard 20-foot shipping container or “dry van” is one of the most commonly-used containers for the shipment of goods in ocean freight along with the 40-foot container.Our cubic meter calculator will let you know the exact space needed for your cargo.

20-foot Container Dimensions

The 20-foot container’s dimensions are usually measured using the imperial system (feet) and specifies both the exterior dimensions and the interior (usable) dimensions.

The dimensions of a 20 ft container are:

• Exterior Dimensions (in feet): 20’ long x 8’ wide x 8’ 6” high
• Exterior Dimensions (in meters): 6.10m long x 2.44m wide x 2.59m high
• Interior Dimensions (in feet): 19’ 4” long x 7’ 9” wide x 7’ 10” high
• Internal Dimensions (in meters): 5.898m long x 2.352m wide x 2.393m high
• Usable Capacity: 32.6m3

With a usable capacity of 32.6 cubic meters, a 20-foot shipping container can accommodate a variety of goods, from household items to commercial cargo. Learn what fits in a 20-foot shipping container to optimize your shipment.

How many pallets can fit into a 20-foot shipping container?

In terms of Euro pallet types (European pallets) of which dimensions are 1.2m x 0.8m, the base of the 20-foot container can hold up to 11 Euro pallet stacks as long as the load is not hanging over the sides. Generally, the optimal way of fitting pallets inside the container is with one row along the length and another row along the width.

For the standard American pallet type with dimensions 40” x 48” (1.016m x 1.219m), the base of a standard 20-foot container can hold 10 pallets as long as the load is not hanging over the sides. More information.

What’s the maximum load for a 20-foot container?

A 20-foot container’s empty weight is 2,300 kg, while the 20 ft shipping container weight when fully loaded can reach up to 28 tons (25,400 kg). However, this depends on factors such as shipping line restrictions, the type of cargo, and specific shipment details.

You can use our platform to find the best prices for your FCL or LCL shipping and explore more about the empty weight of a 20 ft shipping container.