Container dimensions

Choose the right container for your cargo

✅ Clear internal dimensions and weight limits

✅ Avoid booking errors and delays

✅ Global standards, local advice

Why container size matters

Choosing the wrong container type can cause delays, unexpected costs, or even damage to your cargo. Whether you’re shipping pallets, machines or temperature-sensitive products, selecting the right container is key to a smooth logistics process. At MOL Logistics, we make container selection easy. We provide a clear overview of the most commonly used container types, including when and why to use them, so you can plan with confidence and transport efficiently. Curious about the density of your shipment? Calculate it with the volume calculator:

Global standardisation

Shipping containers are globally standardised steel units, designed for seamless transport across sea, road, rail and inland waterways. Their fixed dimensions allow them to be easily transferred between modes without repacking.

In this system, container sizes are expressed in TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) and FEU (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit).

1 TEU = a 20-foot container
1 FEU = a 40-foot container (2 TEU)

These units are used worldwide for planning, booking, pricing and customs. Knowing them helps you make better logistics decisions.

Common container types and their use cases

Dry container (standard)

A fully enclosed steel container for general cargo such as boxes, pallets, drums or bags.

Available in 20 ft and 40 ft
Fully enclosed with solid roof and doors
Ideal for: standard-sized and -weighted shipments

Open top container

No fixed roof covered with a waterproof tarpaulin secured by ropes.

Loadable from above using a crane
Lashing rings inside to secure cargo
Ideal for: tall, heavy or awkwardly shaped goods

Flat rack container

No side walls, only a reinforced floor and collapsible end frames.

Designed for wide or heavy cargo
Build-in lashing points for secure transport
Ideal for: vehicles, construction parts, heavy equipment

Reefer container (refrigerated)

A temperature-controlled container with an integrated cooling unit.

Available in 20 ft and 40 ft
Temperature range: approx. -25°C to +25°C
Ideal for: perishable or sensitive goods such as food, flowers, pharmaceuticals or film

Need help choosing the right container?

Whether you’re comparing FCL (shipping a full container) vs. LCL (less than container load), dealing with oversized cargo or just want to avoid mistakes, we’re here to help. Talk to our logistics team

	20 FT Standard	40 FT Standard
Capacity	33 cbm	67,4 cbm
Inside dimensions in mm (LxWxH)	5.888 x 2.340 x 2.387	12.031 x 2.346 x 2.383
Door opening in mm (WxH)	2.280 x 2.275	2.338 x 2.272
Weight (max. gross/total weight)	30.480 kg	30.480 kg
Tare (container) weight	2.200 kg	3.740 kg
Max. load weight	28.280 kg	26.740 kg

	40FT High Cube	45FT
Capacity	76,2 cbm	86,0 cbm
Inside dimensions in mm (LxWxH)	12.031 x 2.350 x 2.694	13.556 x 2.352 x 2.697
Door opening in mm (WxH)	2.338 x 2.585	2.340 x 2.585
Weight (max. gross/total weight)	30.480 kg	30.480 kg
Tare (container) weight	3.830 kg	3.780 kg
Max. load weight	26.650 kg	25.700 kg

	20FT Open top	40FT Open Top
Capacity	32,4 cbm	66,2 cbm
Inside dimensions in mm (LxWxH)	5.893 x 2.346 x 2.348	12.022 x 2.346 x 2.348
Door opening in mm (WxH)	2.336 x 2.244	2.336 x 2.244
Roof opening in mm (WxL)	5.760 x 2.228	11.891 x 2.184
Weight (max. gross/total weight)	30.480 kg	30.480 kg
Tare (container) weight	2.380 kg	3.880 kg
Max. load weight	28.100 kg	26.600 kg

	20FT Flat Rack	40FT Flat Rack
Capacity	28,4 cbm	53,2 cbm
Inside dimensions in mm (LxWxH)	5.652 x 2.438 x 2.213	12.082 x 2.438 x 1.955
Weight (max. gross/total weight)	34.000 kg	45.000 kg
Tare (container) weight	3.050 kg	6.200 kg
Max. load weight	30.950 kg	38.800 kg

	20FT Reefer	40FT Reefer HQ
Capacity	28,2 cbm	64,9 cbm
Inside dimensions in mm (LxWxH)	5.446 x 2.268 x 2.260	11.558 x 2.284 x 2.522
Door opening in mm (WxH)	2.290 x 2.264	2.286 x 2.542
Weight (max. gross/total weight)	30.480 kg	34.000 kg
Tare (container) weight	3.080 kg	4.720 kg
Max. load weight	27.400 kg	29.280 kg