freightcalcs20ft standard container: loading capacity
Specs, CBM and a carton fit checker. Part of freightcalcs.com.
Specs, CBM and a carton fit checker. Part of freightcalcs.com.
The 20ft container is the smaller ISO standard box — the default for dense cargo and smaller LCL-to-FCL upgrades.
Typical pallet counts: 9–10 GMA or 11 Euro — details on the pallets in a 20ft container page.
| Length × width × height | In inches | Rated capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 232.5 × 92.5 × 94 in | 33.2 CBM |
Dimensions vary slightly by manufacturer and build year — check the CSC plate on the container for exact figures. Practical loading efficiency is typically 80–90% of rated CBM.
Floor-packed and stacked to the ceiling, upright cartons, no weight cap. For weight limits and a 3D load plan use the full container loading calculator; for volume-based quotes the CBM calculator.
A 20ft standard container has a rated capacity of about 33.2 CBM (cubic meters), from interior dimensions of 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m.
Cargo never packs perfectly, so plan for about 25–28 CBM in practice — roughly 80–90% of the 33.2 CBM rating, or 9–10 standard pallets. Total your cargo first with the CBM calculator.
40ft standard · 40ft high cube · 45ft high cube · 20ft reefer · 40ft reefer · 40ft open top