TrimLoad

20ft container dimensions

Inside a 20ft container: 5,896 × 2,350 × 2,390 mm (589.6 × 235 × 239 cm) — 33.1 m³ (1,169 cu ft), up to 28,130 kg (28.1 t) of cargo.

20ft standard. These are the smallest inside sizes among the mainstream carriers we read, and the lowest weight rating — a load planned on them also fits the bigger ones. The volume 33.1 m³ is length × width × height of the numbers below; Ocean Network Express prints 33.1 m³. How many tons: 28.1 t (62,016 lb) of cargo is the payload limit we plan to — the box's own rating; road limits where it travels can be lower.

Every number and where it comes from

WhatValueSources
Inside length5,896 mm (232.1 in)

Maersk (dry equipment, South Africa)Ocean Network ExpressOcean Network ExpressEvergreen LineMaersk (equipment flyer, Italy)

Inside width2,350 mm (92.5 in)

Ocean Network ExpressMSCMaersk (dry equipment, South Africa)

Inside height2,390 mm (94.1 in)

Ocean Network ExpressMSC

Door width2,338 mm (92 in)

Maersk (dry equipment, South Africa)Hapag-LloydOcean Network ExpressMaersk (equipment flyer, Italy)

Door height2,274 mm (89.5 in)

Maersk (dry equipment, South Africa)Ocean Network ExpressMSCMaersk (equipment flyer, Italy)

Payload28,130 kg (62,016 lb)

Hapag-LloydMaersk (dry equipment, South Africa)

Max gross weight30,480 kg (67,197 lb)

Hapag-LloydOcean Network ExpressEvergreen LineMaersk (dry equipment, South Africa)

Empty weight (tare)2,350 kg (5,181 lb)

Hapag-Lloyd

US road cargo weight (on a chassis)17,236 kg (37,999 lb)A tri-axle chassis allows 44,000 lb (Maersk).

Atlantic Container LineMaersk USA (OCEMA inland weight table)

Each number was read twice, independently, and the two readings compared. “Typical” = not every source is a maker, carrier or regulator. Spec table 2026-10-24.

How many fit in a 20ft