Container Comparison
20ft Standard vs 40ft High Cube Container Compared
Compare 20ft standard and 40ft High Cube containers. See the volume difference, pallet capacity, weight limits, and cost-per-CBM to pick the right container.
Quick answer
A 40ft HC offers 130% more volume than a 20ft (76.3 vs 33.2 CBM) and 30cm extra height. At roughly 30-45% more in freight cost, the 40ft HC is far more economical per CBM. Choose 20ft only when your cargo is under 33 CBM and weight is the constraint.
20ft Standard Container vs 40ft High Cube Container — Specs Compared
| Specification | 20ft Standard Container | 40ft High Cube Container |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Length | 5.90m | 12.03m |
| Internal Width | 2.35m | 2.35m |
| Internal Height | 2.39m | 2.69m |
| Internal Volume | 33.2 CBM | 76.3 CBM |
| Max Payload | 28,200 kg | 26,460 kg |
| Pallet Capacity | 10 euro pallets (floor loaded) | 21 euro pallets (with extra stacking height) |
| Best For | Heavy, dense cargo under 33 CBM | High-volume shipments needing extra stacking height |
When to Choose Each
Choose 20ft Standard Container when:
- Total cargo volume is under 33 CBM
- Cargo is very heavy relative to size
- You need the higher weight limit (28,200 kg)
- Budget for this single shipment is tight
Choose 40ft High Cube Container when:
- Cargo exceeds 33 CBM
- You need to double-stack pallets
- Items require more than 2.39m internal height
- Per-CBM cost optimization is the priority
Not sure which fits your cargo?
Enter your items into JustLoad.it and see exactly how they fit in both options. The 3D visualization makes it obvious.
FAQ
20ft vs 40ft High Cube FAQ
A 40ft HC holds 76.3 CBM compared to 33.2 CBM for a 20ft — that's 130% more volume and space for 11 additional euro pallets.
Choose a 20ft when your cargo is under 33 CBM and especially when it's heavy. The 20ft has a higher weight limit (28,200 kg vs 26,460 kg) and lower per-container freight cost.
A 40ft HC typically costs 30-45% more than a 20ft for the same route. However, per CBM, the 40ft HC is significantly cheaper — roughly half the per-CBM cost.
A 20ft has 2.39m internal height. If your items exceed this, you'll need a High Cube container. The 40ft HC offers 2.69m of internal height.
Plan your load in 3D
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