Container dimensions and pallet fit calculator
Pick a container, enter your pallet size, height and weight, and see how many pallets fit on the floor, how many layers the height allows and whether the weight limit stops you first. A floor plan shows the layout, and the reference table below lists the typical size, door opening and payload of each container.
Typical container sizes.
Internal dimensions, door opening and weights for the containers most often booked. Figures are typical, published values: dimensions vary within a series, so check the container’s own CSC plate and your carrier’s equipment guide.
| Container | Inside length × width × height | Door opening (w × h) | Volume | Tare | Max payload | Max gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standardDry | 5,896 × 2,350 × 2,393 mm19 ft 4 in × 7 ft 9 in × 7 ft 10 in | 2,350 × 2,274 mm7 ft 9 in × 7 ft 6 in | 33.2 m³1,172 ft³ | 2,280 kg5,027 lb | 28,200 kg62,170 lb | 30,480 kg67,197 lb |
| 40 ft standardDry | 12,032 × 2,350 × 2,393 mm39 ft 6 in × 7 ft 9 in × 7 ft 10 in | 2,340 × 2,274 mm7 ft 8 in × 7 ft 6 in | 67.7 m³2,391 ft³ | 3,700 kg8,157 lb | 28,800 kg63,493 lb | 32,500 kg71,650 lb |
| 40 ft high cubeDry | 12,032 × 2,350 × 2,697 mm39 ft 6 in × 7 ft 9 in × 8 ft 10 in | 2,340 × 2,577 mm7 ft 8 in × 8 ft 5 in | 76.3 m³2,695 ft³ | 3,880 kg8,554 lb | 28,620 kg63,096 lb | 32,500 kg71,650 lb |
| 45 ft high cubeDry | 13,556 × 2,352 × 2,698 mm44 ft 6 in × 7 ft 9 in × 8 ft 10 in | 2,340 × 2,585 mm7 ft 8 in × 8 ft 6 in | 86.0 m³3,037 ft³ | 4,900 kg10,803 lb | 27,600 kg60,848 lb | 32,500 kg71,650 lb |
| 20 ft reeferReefer | 5,451 × 2,290 × 2,167 mm17 ft 11 in × 7 ft 6 in × 7 ft 1 in | 2,290 × 2,212 mm7 ft 6 in × 7 ft 3 in | 27.1 m³957 ft³ | 2,990 kg6,592 lb | 27,490 kg60,605 lb | 30,480 kg67,197 lb |
| 40 ft high-cube reeferReefer | 11,580 × 2,275 × 2,415 mm38 ft 0 in × 7 ft 6 in × 7 ft 11 in | 2,276 × 2,471 mm7 ft 6 in × 8 ft 1 in | 63.6 m³2,246 ft³ | 4,520 kg9,965 lb | 29,480 kg64,992 lb | 34,000 kg74,957 lb |
Source: Maersk, “Our fleet: equipment specifications” (dry and reefer containers). Volume is length × width × height to the load line. Open-top, flat-rack and tank containers are not listed.
Common pallet sizes
| Pallet | Size | Mostly used in |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. standard, 48 × 40 in | 1,219 × 1,016 mm48.0 × 40.0 in | North America |
| ISO, 1200 × 1000 mm | 1,200 × 1,000 mm47.2 × 39.4 in | Europe and Asia |
| EUR / EPAL, 1200 × 800 mm | 1,200 × 800 mm47.2 × 31.5 in | Europe |
| ISO, 1100 × 1100 mm | 1,100 × 1,100 mm43.3 × 43.3 in | Asia |
| Australia, 1165 × 1165 mm | 1,165 × 1,165 mm45.9 × 45.9 in | Australia |
ISO 6780 lists six standard pallet sizes. The table shows the ones shippers meet most often.
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Send us the shipment you just costed and we will come back with how it would move and how the numbers would be handled in Intelicargo. Your inputs are attached only when you send this form.
The formula, in plain terms.
- Floor layout: your pallet footprint is placed on the inside length and width of the container in straight, turned and mixed blocks, and the layout that fits the most is kept.
- Layers = inside height ÷ loaded pallet height, rounded down, and never more than the layers you allow
- Pallets by space = pallets per layer × layers
- Pallets by weight = maximum payload ÷ weight of one pallet, rounded down
- Pallets per container = the smaller of the two, and containers needed = pallets to ship ÷ pallets per container, rounded up
Standard 48 × 40 in pallets, 40 in tall and 1,800 lb each, stacked up to two high in a 40 ft container (12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m inside). The best floor layout is 20 pallets: a strip of 11 turned sideways and a strip of 9 lengthwise. The height allows two layers, so space gives 40 pallets. But the 28,800 kg payload divided by 816 kg per pallet gives 35, so weight is the limit and 100 pallets need 3 containers.
Assumptions and limits
- Container sizes are typical published figures from carrier equipment sheets. Dimensions vary within a series and between manufacturers, so check the container's own CSC plate.
- The layout is a good estimate and often a small under-count. Loaders can sometimes fit one or two more with a pinwheel pattern, but real loading needs working room around the pallets.
- Pallet height means the loaded height including the pallet. Only stack pallets that are built and rated for it.
- Weight is checked against the container's maximum payload. Road and rail axle limits for your route can be lower.
- A loaded pallet taller than the door opening cannot be loaded even though the container is taller inside.
Common questions
How many pallets fit in a 40 ft container?
It depends on the pallet footprint and whether pallets can be turned. A standard 48 × 40 in pallet gives about 20 on the floor of a 40 ft container, and EUR 1200 × 800 mm pallets about 25. Enter your own pallet size to see the figure for your cargo.
How many pallets fit in a 20 ft container?
A 20 ft container is about 5.9 m long and 2.35 m wide inside. Standard 48 × 40 in pallets give about 9 on the floor and EUR pallets about 11 by this tool's layout. Enter your pallet size for a calculated figure.
What is the difference between a 40 ft standard and a high-cube container?
Both are 40 ft long. A high cube is about 30 cm taller inside, 2,697 mm against 2,393 mm in the sizes shown, which adds roughly 8.6 m³ of volume.
What is the payload of a container?
Payload is the maximum gross weight minus the container's own tare weight. A 20 ft standard container is about 28 tonnes and a 40 ft about 28.8 tonnes in the sizes shown, but the real limit is also set by road and rail rules.
Why are inside dimensions smaller than the outside size?
A '20 ft' container is 20 ft long on the outside. The walls, floor and roof take space, so the usable length is about 19 ft 4 in.
Where do I find a container's actual tare weight?
On the container's door and on its CSC safety approval plate. Use those figures rather than a typical value when you prepare weight declarations.
Plan the load on the same record.
Intelicargo tracks pallets and containers by barcode from receiving to the vessel, and plans stowage slot by slot.