ISO 22R1 / 45R1 · −30 °C to +30 °C
Reefer Container Dimensions
A reefer is a refrigerated container with an integrated cooling unit and insulated walls, holding cargo anywhere from −30 °C to +30 °C (specialised units go lower). The machinery and insulation eat into space: internal dimensions are noticeably smaller than a dry container of the same nominal size.
A 20 ft reefer offers 28.3 m³ against 33.2 m³ in a dry box; the 40 ft high cube reefer offers 67.3 m³. Width shrinks to about 2.29 m, and load height is capped by the red load line — air must circulate over the top of the cargo.
The machinery also shows up on the scale: a 20 ft reefer tares at about 3,080 kg (versus 2,230 kg dry) and a 40 ft HC reefer at about 4,480 kg. Higher max gross ratings compensate — the 40 ft HC reefer is rated to 34,000 kg, giving a payload near 29,500 kg, more than its dry counterpart.
Two operating modes exist and matter for cost: an integral reefer runs its own refrigeration plant off ship, terminal or genset power, while a “non-operating reefer” (NOR) is the same box shipped with the machine off, sold as cheap insulated capacity for cargo that merely needs temperature stability, not active cooling.
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| External dimensions | ||
| Length | 6.058 m | 19′11″ |
| Width | 2.438 m | 8′ |
| Height | 2.591 m | 8′6″ |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length | 5.444 m | 17′10″ |
| Width | 2.290 m | 7′6″ |
| Height | 2.276 m | 7′6″ |
| Door opening | ||
| Width | 2.290 m | 7′6″ |
| Height | 2.264 m | 7′5″ |
| Specification | ||
| Tare weight * | 3,080 kg | 6,790 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg | 67,197 lb |
| Max payload * | 27,400 kg | 60,407 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 28.3 m³ | 999 ft³ |
| Pallets (one tier) | 10 EUR pallets | 9 US pallets |
| TEU | 1 | — |
* Typical value — varies by manufacturer
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| External dimensions | ||
| Length | 12.192 m | 40′ |
| Width | 2.438 m | 8′ |
| Height | 2.896 m | 9′6″ |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length | 11.583 m | 38′ |
| Width | 2.290 m | 7′6″ |
| Height | 2.554 m | 8′5″ |
| Door opening | ||
| Width | 2.290 m | 7′6″ |
| Height | 2.557 m | 8′5″ |
| Specification | ||
| Tare weight * | 4,480 kg | 9,877 lb |
| Max gross weight | 34,000 kg | 74,957 lb |
| Max payload * | 29,520 kg | 65,080 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 67.3 m³ | 2,377 ft³ |
| Pallets (one tier) | 23 EUR pallets | 20 US pallets |
| TEU | 2 | — |
* Typical value — varies by manufacturer
Loading rules that change the numbers
Reefer floors are T-shaped gratings that channel cold air upward; cargo must cover the floor as evenly as possible and never rise above the load line marked inside. Effective capacity is therefore lower than the geometric volume.
Power matters at every stage: on the vessel, at the terminal, and on a genset during road or rail legs. Book reefer plugs ahead — capacity at terminals is finite.
Pre-cooling is the classic beginner’s mistake: the reefer’s machine is built to hold temperature, not to pull warm cargo down. Produce and frozen goods must enter the box already at carriage temperature; loading warm cargo overloads the unit and can spoil the whole consignment.
Pallets in a reefer
The 2.29 m internal width still takes EUR pallets two-abreast: about 10 in a 20 ft reefer and 23 in a 40 ft HC reefer, floor-loaded. US pallets fit 9 and 20 respectively.
Keep pallet loads under the load line — typically about 2.2 m usable height in a 20 ft and 2.5 m in a 40 ft HC — and leave the last decimetres at the door free so return air can reach the machine.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 20 ft reefer?
A 20 ft reefer (22R1) has the standard external footprint of 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m, but internally measures 5.444 × 2.290 × 2.276 m — about 28.3 m³, roughly 5 m³ less than a 20 ft dry box, because of insulation and the cooling machinery.
What are the dimensions of a 40 ft reefer container?
A 40 ft high cube reefer (45R1) measures 12.192 × 2.438 × 2.896 m externally and about 11.583 × 2.290 × 2.554 m internally, for roughly 67.3 m³ below the load line.
How much does a reefer container cost?
In 2025–26, a used reefer with a working refrigeration unit typically costs $8,000–14,000 depending on machine age and hours. A non-working reefer sold as an insulated box runs $3,000–5,000. Prices vary widely by market and location, and the machine’s service history matters more than the box.
Why is a reefer smaller inside than a dry container?
Insulated walls, the cooling machinery at the front end, and the raised T-bar floor all take space. A 20 ft reefer loses about 5 m³ versus a 20 ft dry box.
What temperature range can a reefer hold?
Standard units hold −30 °C to +30 °C; special deep-freeze units reach −60 °C for products like sashimi-grade tuna.
How much does a reefer container weigh?
A 20 ft reefer tares at about 3,080 kg with a payload near 27,400 kg; a 40 ft high cube reefer tares at about 4,480 kg and, with its 34,000 kg max gross rating, carries roughly 29,500 kg.