ISO 42G1 · 2 TEU
40 ft Container Dimensions
The 40 ft dry container (ISO type 42G1) is the most common box on the water — the default choice for consumer goods, furniture, machinery and anything voluminous rather than dense. It is exactly twice the length of a 20 ft unit at 12.192 m, with the same 2.438 m width and 2.591 m height, and counts as 2 TEU.
Usable interior space is 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.393 m — 67.7 m³. Note the asymmetry with the 20 ft box: double the volume, but almost the same maximum payload. A 40 ft container carries more space, not more weight.
The door opening matches the 20-footer at 2.340 × 2.280 m, so anything that loads into a twenty loads into a forty — the difference is simply how far back it can go. Per cubic metre, the forty is the cheaper box to buy and to ship, which is why light consumer freight lives in this size.
One practical note for buyers: 12.2 m of container needs about 30 m of clear, straight run for a tilt-bed delivery truck to set it down. If your site cannot offer that, a crane truck (HIAB) or two 20 ft units may be the realistic option.
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| External dimensions | ||
| Length | 12.192 m | 40′ |
| Width | 2.438 m | 8′ |
| Height | 2.591 m | 8′6″ |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length | 12.032 m | 39′6″ |
| Width | 2.352 m | 7′9″ |
| Height | 2.393 m | 7′10″ |
| Door opening | ||
| Width | 2.340 m | 7′8″ |
| Height | 2.280 m | 7′6″ |
| Specification | ||
| Tare weight * | 3,740 kg | 8,245 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg | 67,197 lb |
| Max payload * | 26,740 kg | 58,952 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 67.7 m³ | 2,391 ft³ |
| Pallets (one tier) | 25 EUR pallets | 21 US pallets |
| TEU | 2 | — |
* Typical value — varies by manufacturer
What fits in a 40 ft container
One floor tier takes 25 EUR pallets or 21 US pallets. Loose-loaded, 67.7 m³ is about the contents of a three-to-four-bedroom house, or roughly 250–280 washing machines in cartons.
Max payload is around 26,700 kg — slightly less than a 20 ft container, because the box itself weighs more. If your cargo is heavy per cubic metre, two twenties often beat one forty.
Standard vs high cube — which to choose. If you are booking freight or buying a box today, the honest answer is: take the 40 ft high cube unless something specific stops you. Ocean rates for HC and standard 40 ft are usually identical, and the high cube adds 8.7 m³ (76.4 vs 67.7 m³) and 305 mm of interior height for free. The standard-height forty still wins in two cases: road transport in countries with strict 4 m height limits, and buying used, where 8′6″ units are older stock and often a few hundred dollars cheaper.
For conversions the same logic applies with more force — after insulating floor and ceiling, a standard-height box drops below 2.2 m of headroom, which is why builders overwhelmingly specify high cubes.
40 ft standard vs 40 ft high cube
| 40 ft container | 40 ft high cube container | |
|---|---|---|
| ISO type code | 42G1 | 45G1 |
| External dimensions — Length | 12.192 m40′ | 12.192 m40′ |
| External dimensions — Width | 2.438 m8′ | 2.438 m8′ |
| External dimensions — Height | 2.591 m8′6″ | 2.896 m9′6″ |
| Internal dimensions — Length | 12.032 m39′6″ | 12.032 m39′6″ |
| Internal dimensions — Width | 2.352 m7′9″ | 2.352 m7′9″ |
| Internal dimensions — Height | 2.393 m7′10″ | 2.698 m8′10″ |
| Tare weight | 3,740 kg8,245 lb | 3,900 kg8,598 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg67,197 lb | 32,500 kg71,650 lb |
| Max payload | 26,740 kg58,952 lb | 28,600 kg63,052 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 67.7 m³2,391 ft³ | 76.4 m³2,698 ft³ |
| EUR pallets | 25 | 25 |
| TEU | 2 | 2 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 40 ft container?
External: 12.192 × 2.438 × 2.591 m (40′ × 8′ × 8′6″). Internal: 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.393 m. Door opening: 2.340 × 2.280 m. Capacity: 67.7 m³ (2,390 ft³).
How much does a 40 ft container weigh?
Tare weight is about 3,740 kg (8,245 lb). With a max gross of 30,480 kg, payload is roughly 26,700 kg. High cube variants weigh slightly more and are often rated to 32,500 kg gross.
How much does a 40 ft container cost?
In 2025–26, used 40 ft containers typically sell for $1,500–3,000 and one-trip units for $3,000–5,000. Standard-height forties are often slightly cheaper than high cubes because they are older stock. Prices vary by market and location — check quotes near major ports for the best rates.
How many square feet is a 40 ft container?
About 305 ft² (28.3 m²) of internal floor — 12.032 m long by 2.352 m wide. That is comparable to a studio apartment or a double garage.
How many pallets fit in a 40 ft container?
25 EUR pallets or 21 US pallets in a single floor tier — more with two-tier stacking if cargo height and weight allow.
Does a 40 ft container carry twice as much as a 20 ft?
Twice the volume, yes (67.7 vs 33.2 m³) — but not twice the weight. Max payload is actually slightly lower than a 20 ft container’s, so heavy cargo usually ships in 20 ft units.