Equipment reference

Compare common air and ocean container dimensions.

Compare common air and ocean container dimensions in one responsive guide with metric and U.S.-unit views.

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Air freight

Common unit load devices

Aircraft compatibility and acceptance must be confirmed for the specific carrier, aircraft and route.

LD-9

747, 767 and A300-family lower deck

Dimensions: 3,020 mm × 2,080 mm × 1,520 mm; 9.91 ft × 6.82 ft × 4.99 ft
Volume: 10.6 m³; 374 ft³
Maximum gross: 4,626 kg; 10,199 lb
Rate class: 5

LD-29

747 lower deck

Dimensions: 3,020 mm × 2,080 mm × 1,520 mm; 9.91 ft × 6.82 ft × 4.99 ft
Volume: 14.5 m³; 512 ft³
Maximum gross: 4,626 kg; 10,199 lb
Rate class: 5W

747 freighter main deck

Dimensions: 3,050 mm × 2,290 mm × 2,290 mm; 10.01 ft × 7.51 ft × 7.51 ft
Volume: 17.5 m³; 618 ft³
Maximum gross: 6,800 kg; 14,991 lb
Rate class: 2

LD-3

747, 767 and A300-family lower deck

Dimensions: 1,470 mm × 1,400 mm × 1,520 mm; 4.82 ft × 4.59 ft × 4.99 ft
Volume: 4.3 m³; 152 ft³
Maximum gross: 1,587 kg; 3,499 lb
Rate class: 8

LD-1

747 and 767 lower deck

Dimensions: 1,470 mm × 1,400 mm × 1,520 mm; 4.82 ft × 4.59 ft × 4.99 ft
Volume: 4.84 m³; 171 ft³
Maximum gross: 1,587 kg; 3,499 lb
Rate class: 8

LD-8

767 lower deck

Dimensions: 2,330 mm × 1,400 mm × 1,520 mm; 7.64 ft × 4.59 ft × 4.99 ft
Volume: 7.2 m³; 254 ft³
Maximum gross: 2,449 kg; 5,399 lb
Rate class: 6A

Ocean freight

Dry containers

Standard and high-cube dry equipment for general cargo.

Construction	Type	Nominal size	Door W	Door H	Internal L	Internal W	Internal H	Max gross	Tare	Payload	Volume
Steel	20' standard	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	2,340 mm	2,274 mm	5,896 mm	2,350 mm	2,385 mm	27,000 kg	2,150 kg	24,850 kg	33 m³
Steel	40' standard	40' x 8' x 8' 6"	2,339 mm	2,274 mm	12,035 mm	2,350 mm	2,393 mm	32,500 kg	3,700 kg	28,800 kg	67 m³
Steel	40' high cube	40' x 8' x 9' 6"	2,340 mm	2,577 mm	12,035 mm	2,350 mm	2,697 mm	34,000 kg	3,800 kg	30,200 kg	76 m³
Steel	45' high cube	45' x 8' x 9' 6"	2,340 mm	2,585 mm	13,556 mm	2,352 mm	2,697 mm	32,500 kg	4,800 kg	27,820 kg	86 m³
Aluminum	40' wide door	40' x 8' x 8' 6"	2,343 mm	2,278 mm	12,056 mm	2,347 mm	2,379 mm	32,500 kg	2,790 kg	29,710 kg	67 m³
Aluminum	40' high cube	40' x 8' x 9' 6"	2,343 mm	2,584 mm	12,056 mm	2,347 mm	2,684 mm	32,500 kg	2,900 kg	29,600 kg	76 m³
Aluminum	45' high cube	45' x 8' x 9' 6"	2,340 mm	2,584 mm	13,582 mm	2,347 mm	2,696 mm	32,500 kg	3,900 kg	28,600 kg	86 m³

Construction

Type

Nominal size

Door W

Door H

Internal L

Internal W

Internal H

Max gross

Tare

Payload

Volume

Steel

20' standard

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

2,340 mm

2,274 mm

5,896 mm

2,350 mm

2,385 mm

27,000 kg

2,150 kg

24,850 kg

33 m³

Steel

40' standard

40' x 8' x 8' 6"

2,339 mm

2,274 mm

12,035 mm

2,350 mm

2,393 mm

32,500 kg

3,700 kg

28,800 kg

67 m³

Steel

40' high cube

40' x 8' x 9' 6"

2,340 mm

2,577 mm

12,035 mm

2,350 mm

2,697 mm

34,000 kg

3,800 kg

30,200 kg

76 m³

Steel

45' high cube

45' x 8' x 9' 6"

2,340 mm

2,585 mm

13,556 mm

2,352 mm

2,697 mm

32,500 kg

4,800 kg

27,820 kg

86 m³

Aluminum

40' wide door

40' x 8' x 8' 6"

2,343 mm

2,278 mm

12,056 mm

2,347 mm

2,379 mm

32,500 kg

2,790 kg

29,710 kg

67 m³

Aluminum

40' high cube

40' x 8' x 9' 6"

2,343 mm

2,584 mm

12,056 mm

2,347 mm

2,684 mm

32,500 kg

2,900 kg

29,600 kg

76 m³

Aluminum

45' high cube

45' x 8' x 9' 6"

2,340 mm

2,584 mm

13,582 mm

2,347 mm

2,696 mm

32,500 kg

3,900 kg

28,600 kg

86 m³

Construction	Type	Nominal size	Door W	Door H	Internal L	Internal W	Internal H	Max gross	Tare	Payload	Volume
Steel	20' standard	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	7.68 ft	7.46 ft	19.34 ft	7.71 ft	7.82 ft	59,525 lb	4,740 lb	54,785 lb	1,165 ft³
Steel	40' standard	40' x 8' x 8' 6"	7.67 ft	7.46 ft	39.48 ft	7.71 ft	7.85 ft	71,650 lb	8,157 lb	63,493 lb	2,366 ft³
Steel	40' high cube	40' x 8' x 9' 6"	7.68 ft	8.45 ft	39.48 ft	7.71 ft	8.85 ft	74,957 lb	8,378 lb	66,580 lb	2,684 ft³
Steel	45' high cube	45' x 8' x 9' 6"	7.68 ft	8.48 ft	44.48 ft	7.72 ft	8.85 ft	71,650 lb	10,582 lb	61,333 lb	3,037 ft³
Aluminum	40' wide door	40' x 8' x 8' 6"	7.69 ft	7.47 ft	39.55 ft	7.70 ft	7.81 ft	71,650 lb	6,151 lb	65,499 lb	2,366 ft³
Aluminum	40' high cube	40' x 8' x 9' 6"	7.69 ft	8.48 ft	39.55 ft	7.70 ft	8.81 ft	71,650 lb	6,393 lb	65,257 lb	2,684 ft³
Aluminum	45' high cube	45' x 8' x 9' 6"	7.68 ft	8.48 ft	44.56 ft	7.70 ft	8.85 ft	71,650 lb	8,598 lb	63,052 lb	3,037 ft³

Construction

Type

Nominal size

Door W

Door H

Internal L

Internal W

Internal H

Max gross

Tare

Payload

Volume

Steel

20' standard

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

7.68 ft

7.46 ft

19.34 ft

7.71 ft

7.82 ft

59,525 lb

4,740 lb

54,785 lb

1,165 ft³

Steel

40' standard

40' x 8' x 8' 6"

7.67 ft

7.46 ft

39.48 ft

7.71 ft

7.85 ft

71,650 lb

8,157 lb

63,493 lb

2,366 ft³

Steel

40' high cube

40' x 8' x 9' 6"

7.68 ft

8.45 ft

39.48 ft

7.71 ft

8.85 ft

74,957 lb

8,378 lb

66,580 lb

2,684 ft³

Steel

45' high cube

45' x 8' x 9' 6"

7.68 ft

8.48 ft

44.48 ft

7.72 ft

8.85 ft

71,650 lb

10,582 lb

61,333 lb

3,037 ft³

Aluminum

40' wide door

40' x 8' x 8' 6"

7.69 ft

7.47 ft

39.55 ft

7.70 ft

7.81 ft

71,650 lb

6,151 lb

65,499 lb

2,366 ft³

Aluminum

40' high cube

40' x 8' x 9' 6"

7.69 ft

8.48 ft

39.55 ft

7.70 ft

8.81 ft

71,650 lb

6,393 lb

65,257 lb

2,684 ft³

Aluminum

45' high cube

45' x 8' x 9' 6"

7.68 ft

8.48 ft

44.56 ft

7.70 ft

8.85 ft

71,650 lb

8,598 lb

63,052 lb

3,037 ft³

Temperature controlled

Refrigerated containers

Reefer equipment has reduced internal space because of insulation and machinery.

Construction	Type	Nominal size	Door W	Door H	Internal L	Internal W	Internal H	Max gross	Tare	Payload	Volume
Steel	20' standard	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	2,294 mm	2,201 mm	5,451 mm	2,290 mm	2,156 mm	30,480 kg	2,930 kg	27,550 kg	27.9 m³
Steel	40' high cube	40' x 8' x 9' 6"	2,278 mm	2,473 mm	11,578 mm	2,280 mm	2,425 mm	34,000 kg	4,500 kg	29,500 kg	64 m³
Aluminum	20' standard	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	2,286 mm	2,188 mm	5,430 mm	2,286 mm	2,155 mm	27,000 kg	2,750 kg	24,250 kg	26.8 m³
Aluminum	40' standard	40' x 8' x 8' 6"	2,294 mm	2,174 mm	11,577 mm	2,294 mm	2,110 mm	32,500 kg	3,900 kg	28,600 kg	56.1 m³
Aluminum	40' high cube	40' x 8' x 9' 6"	2,290 mm	2,535 mm	11,577 mm	2,294 mm	2,409 mm	32,500 kg	4,150 kg	28,350 kg	64.1 m³

Construction

Type

Nominal size

Door W

Door H

Internal L

Internal W

Internal H

Max gross

Tare

Payload

Volume

Steel

20' standard

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

2,294 mm

2,201 mm

5,451 mm

2,290 mm

2,156 mm

30,480 kg

2,930 kg

27,550 kg

27.9 m³

Steel

40' high cube

40' x 8' x 9' 6"

2,278 mm

2,473 mm

11,578 mm

2,280 mm

2,425 mm

34,000 kg

4,500 kg

29,500 kg

64 m³

Aluminum

20' standard

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

2,286 mm

2,188 mm

5,430 mm

2,286 mm

2,155 mm

27,000 kg

2,750 kg

24,250 kg

26.8 m³

Aluminum

40' standard

40' x 8' x 8' 6"

2,294 mm

2,174 mm

11,577 mm

2,294 mm

2,110 mm

32,500 kg

3,900 kg

28,600 kg

56.1 m³

Aluminum

40' high cube

40' x 8' x 9' 6"

2,290 mm

2,535 mm

11,577 mm

2,294 mm

2,409 mm

32,500 kg

4,150 kg

28,350 kg

64.1 m³

Construction	Type	Nominal size	Door W	Door H	Internal L	Internal W	Internal H	Max gross	Tare	Payload	Volume
Steel	20' standard	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	7.53 ft	7.22 ft	17.88 ft	7.51 ft	7.07 ft	67,197 lb	6,460 lb	60,737 lb	985 ft³
Steel	40' high cube	40' x 8' x 9' 6"	7.47 ft	8.11 ft	37.99 ft	7.48 ft	7.96 ft	74,957 lb	9,921 lb	65,036 lb	2,260 ft³
Aluminum	20' standard	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	7.50 ft	7.18 ft	17.81 ft	7.50 ft	7.07 ft	59,525 lb	6,063 lb	53,462 lb	946 ft³
Aluminum	40' standard	40' x 8' x 8' 6"	7.53 ft	7.13 ft	37.98 ft	7.53 ft	6.92 ft	71,650 lb	8,598 lb	63,052 lb	1,981 ft³
Aluminum	40' high cube	40' x 8' x 9' 6"	7.51 ft	8.32 ft	37.98 ft	7.53 ft	7.90 ft	71,650 lb	9,149 lb	62,501 lb	2,264 ft³

Construction

Type

Nominal size

Door W

Door H

Internal L

Internal W

Internal H

Max gross

Tare

Payload

Volume

Steel

20' standard

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

7.53 ft

7.22 ft

17.88 ft

7.51 ft

7.07 ft

67,197 lb

6,460 lb

60,737 lb

985 ft³

Steel

40' high cube

40' x 8' x 9' 6"

7.47 ft

8.11 ft

37.99 ft

7.48 ft

7.96 ft

74,957 lb

9,921 lb

65,036 lb

2,260 ft³

Aluminum

20' standard

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

7.50 ft

7.18 ft

17.81 ft

7.50 ft

7.07 ft

59,525 lb

6,063 lb

53,462 lb

946 ft³

Aluminum

40' standard

40' x 8' x 8' 6"

7.53 ft

7.13 ft

37.98 ft

7.53 ft

6.92 ft

71,650 lb

8,598 lb

63,052 lb

1,981 ft³

Aluminum

40' high cube

40' x 8' x 9' 6"

7.51 ft

8.32 ft

37.98 ft

7.53 ft

7.90 ft

71,650 lb

9,149 lb

62,501 lb

2,264 ft³

Oversized loading access

Open-top containers

Top-opening dimensions are especially important when cargo cannot pass through standard container doors.

Construction	Type	Nominal size	Internal L	Internal W	Internal H	Door W	Door H	Top opening L	Top opening W	Max gross	Tare	Volume
Steel	20' open top	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	5,919 mm	2,340 mm	2,286 mm	2,286 mm	2,251 mm	5,425 mm	2,223 mm	24,000 kg	2,177 kg	32 m³
Steel	40' open top	40' x 8' x 8' 6"	12,043 mm	2,338 mm	2,272 mm	2,289 mm	2,253 mm	11,622 mm	2,162 mm	30,480 kg	4,300 kg	64 m³
Aluminum	20' open top	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	5,893 mm	2,346 mm	2,353 mm	2,338 mm	2,273 mm	5,488 mm	2,230 mm	30,480 kg	2,250 kg	32 m³

Construction

Type

Nominal size

Internal L

Internal W

Internal H

Door W

Door H

Top opening L

Top opening W

Max gross

Tare

Volume

Steel

20' open top

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

5,919 mm

2,340 mm

2,286 mm

2,251 mm

5,425 mm

2,223 mm

24,000 kg

2,177 kg

32 m³

Steel

40' open top

40' x 8' x 8' 6"

12,043 mm

2,338 mm

2,272 mm

2,289 mm

2,253 mm

11,622 mm

2,162 mm

30,480 kg

4,300 kg

64 m³

Aluminum

20' open top

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

5,893 mm

2,346 mm

2,353 mm

2,338 mm

2,273 mm

5,488 mm

2,230 mm

30,480 kg

2,250 kg

32 m³

Construction	Type	Nominal size	Internal L	Internal W	Internal H	Door W	Door H	Top opening L	Top opening W	Max gross	Tare	Volume
Steel	20' open top	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	19.42 ft	7.68 ft	7.50 ft	7.50 ft	7.39 ft	17.80 ft	7.29 ft	52,911 lb	4,799 lb	1,130 ft³
Steel	40' open top	40' x 8' x 8' 6"	39.51 ft	7.67 ft	7.45 ft	7.51 ft	7.39 ft	38.13 ft	7.09 ft	67,197 lb	9,480 lb	2,260 ft³
Aluminum	20' open top	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	19.33 ft	7.70 ft	7.72 ft	7.67 ft	7.46 ft	18.01 ft	7.32 ft	67,197 lb	4,960 lb	1,130 ft³

Construction

Type

Nominal size

Internal L

Internal W

Internal H

Door W

Door H

Top opening L

Top opening W

Max gross

Tare

Volume

Steel

20' open top

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

19.42 ft

7.68 ft

7.50 ft

7.39 ft

17.80 ft

7.29 ft

52,911 lb

4,799 lb

1,130 ft³

Steel

40' open top

40' x 8' x 8' 6"

39.51 ft

7.67 ft

7.45 ft

7.51 ft

7.39 ft

38.13 ft

7.09 ft

67,197 lb

9,480 lb

2,260 ft³

Aluminum

20' open top

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

19.33 ft

7.70 ft

7.72 ft

7.67 ft

7.46 ft

18.01 ft

7.32 ft

67,197 lb

4,960 lb

1,130 ft³

Out-of-gauge cargo

Flat-rack containers

Actual loading limits depend on equipment design, point loading, lashing and carrier approval.

Construction	Type	Nominal size	Internal L	Internal W	Internal H	Between headers	Between corner posts	Width between posts	Max gross	Tare	Payload
Steel	20' fixed-corner	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	5,935 mm	2,398 mm	2,327 mm	5,935 mm	5,693 mm	2,106 mm	24,000 kg	2,560 kg	21,440 kg
Steel	20' collapsible	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	5,966 mm	2,418 mm	2,286 mm	5,850 mm	5,422 mm	2,058 mm	30,480 kg	2,970 kg	27,510 kg
Steel	40' fixed-corner	40' x 8' x 8' 6"	12,080 mm	2,438 mm	2,103 mm	12,080 mm	11,796 mm	2,114 mm	30,480 kg	5,480 kg	25,000 kg

Construction

Type

Nominal size

Internal L

Internal W

Internal H

Between headers

Between corner posts

Width between posts

Max gross

Tare

Payload

Steel

20' fixed-corner

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

5,935 mm

2,398 mm

2,327 mm

5,935 mm

5,693 mm

2,106 mm

24,000 kg

2,560 kg

21,440 kg

Steel

20' collapsible

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

5,966 mm

2,418 mm

2,286 mm

5,850 mm

5,422 mm

2,058 mm

30,480 kg

2,970 kg

27,510 kg

Steel

40' fixed-corner

40' x 8' x 8' 6"

12,080 mm

2,438 mm

2,103 mm

12,080 mm

11,796 mm

2,114 mm

30,480 kg

5,480 kg

25,000 kg

Construction	Type	Nominal size	Internal L	Internal W	Internal H	Between headers	Between corner posts	Width between posts	Max gross	Tare	Payload
Steel	20' fixed-corner	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	19.47 ft	7.87 ft	7.63 ft	19.47 ft	18.68 ft	6.91 ft	52,911 lb	5,644 lb	47,267 lb
Steel	20' collapsible	20' x 8' x 8' 6"	19.57 ft	7.93 ft	7.50 ft	19.19 ft	17.79 ft	6.75 ft	67,197 lb	6,548 lb	60,649 lb
Steel	40' fixed-corner	40' x 8' x 8' 6"	39.63 ft	8.00 ft	6.90 ft	39.63 ft	38.70 ft	6.94 ft	67,197 lb	12,081 lb	55,116 lb

Construction

Type

Nominal size

Internal L

Internal W

Internal H

Between headers

Between corner posts

Width between posts

Max gross

Tare

Payload

Steel

20' fixed-corner

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

19.47 ft

7.87 ft

7.63 ft

19.47 ft

18.68 ft

6.91 ft

52,911 lb

5,644 lb

47,267 lb

Steel

20' collapsible

20' x 8' x 8' 6"

19.57 ft

7.93 ft

7.50 ft

19.19 ft

17.79 ft

6.75 ft

67,197 lb

6,548 lb

60,649 lb

Steel

40' fixed-corner

40' x 8' x 8' 6"

39.63 ft

8.00 ft

6.90 ft

39.63 ft

38.70 ft

6.94 ft

67,197 lb

12,081 lb

55,116 lb

Equipment notice

These values are provided as a general reference. U.S.-unit values are converted and rounded from the metric source data. Equipment specifications vary by manufacturer, carrier, age and location. Confirm the exact unit, payload, opening dimensions, aircraft compatibility and acceptance before booking or loading cargo.

Compare common air and ocean container dimensions.

Reference specifications

Common unit load devices

747, 767 and A300-family lower deck

747 lower deck

747 freighter main deck

747, 767 and A300-family lower deck

747 and 767 lower deck

767 lower deck

Dry containers

Refrigerated containers

Open-top containers

Flat-rack containers