freightcalcs40ft 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 40ft container is the global workhorse of ocean freight: twice the length of a 20ft for roughly the same handling cost.
Typical pallet counts: 20–21 GMA or ~25 Euro — details on the pallets in a 40ft container page.
| Length × width × height | In inches | Rated capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 474.5 × 92.5 × 94 in | 67.7 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 40ft standard container has a rated capacity of about 67.7 CBM (cubic meters), from interior dimensions of 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m. A 40ft high cube holds about 76.4 CBM.
Plan for about 54–61 CBM in practice — roughly 80–90% of the 67.7 CBM rating, or 20–21 standard pallets. Total your cargo first with the CBM calculator.
20ft standard · 40ft high cube · 45ft high cube · 20ft reefer · 40ft reefer · 40ft open top