Feet → metres, exact values
Container Dimensions in Meters
Container sizes are named in feet but built to millimetre specs, so the metric numbers are exact, not approximations: a “20-foot” container is precisely 6.058 m long, a “40-foot” 12.192 m. Width is always 2.438 m; height 2.591 m standard or 2.896 m high cube.
All sizes in metres
The full fleet, external and internal, in metres:
| Specification | ISO | External dimensions, m | Internal dimensions, m | m³ | Max payload, kg | EUR pallets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft container | 10G1 | 2.99 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 2.83 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 15.9 | 8,860 | 4 |
| 20 ft container | 22G1 | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 33.2 | 28,250 | 11 |
| 40 ft container | 42G1 | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 67.7 | 26,740 | 25 |
| 40 ft high cube container | 45G1 | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.70 | 76.4 | 28,600 | 25 |
| 45 ft high cube container | L5G1 | 13.72 × 2.44 × 2.90 | 13.56 × 2.35 × 2.70 | 86.0 | 27,700 | 27 |
| 48 ft container | — | 14.63 × 2.59 × 2.90 | 14.45 × 2.50 × 2.70 | 97.5 | 26,170 | 30 |
| 53 ft container | — | 16.15 × 2.59 × 2.90 | 16.00 × 2.50 × 2.70 | 108.0 | 25,580 | 33 |
| 20 ft reefer | 22R1 | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 5.44 × 2.29 × 2.28 | 28.3 | 27,400 | 10 |
| 40 ft high cube reefer | 45R1 | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 | 11.58 × 2.29 × 2.55 | 67.3 | 29,520 | 23 |
| 20 ft open top | 22U1 | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.35 | 32.5 | 28,130 | 11 |
| 40 ft open top | 42U1 | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.35 | 66.4 | 28,650 | 25 |
| 20 ft flat rack | 22P1 | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 5.94 × 2.35 × 2.35 | — | 31,260 | — |
| 40 ft flat rack | 42P1 | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 12.06 × 2.37 × 1.96 | — | 39,520 | — |
| 20 ft tank container | 22T1 | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 25.0 | 32,100 | — |
The conversions worth memorising
8 ft = 2.438 m (every container’s width). 8′6″ = 2.591 m and 9′6″ = 2.896 m (the two heights). 20 ft nominal = 6.058 m external ≈ 5.9 m internal. 40 ft nominal = 12.192 m external ≈ 12.03 m internal. For anything else, use the unit converter.
Floor area and volume in metric
The internal floor is what you plan on: a 20 ft gives 13.9 m² and 33.2 m³; a 40 ft 28.3 m² and 67.7 m³; a 40 ft high cube the same 28.3 m² but 76.4 m³; a 45 ft high cube 31.9 m² and 86 m³. Same floor, different height — that is the whole high-cube story in metric.
Frequently asked questions
What are container dimensions in mm?
20 ft: 6,058 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm external, 5,898 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm internal. 40 ft: 12,192 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm external, 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm internal. High cube height: 2,896 mm external, 2,698 mm internal.
What is a 40 ft container in metres?
12.192 m long, 2.438 m wide, 2.591 m high externally (2.896 m for high cube). Internal: about 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.393 m.
What is a 20 ft container in metres?
6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m externally; 5.898 × 2.352 × 2.393 m inside.
How many square metres is a container floor?
About 13.9 m² in a 20 ft container and 28.3 m² in a 40 ft (internal floor area).