All container types
20ft Standard Dry Container illustration20ft
Dry / General Purpose · 1 TEU

20ft Standard Dry Container

The workhorse of global trade, one TEU of dry cargo space.

33.2 m³
Capacity
28,250 kg
Max payload
2,230 kg
Tare weight
30,480 kg
Max gross

Dimensions

MeasurementLengthWidthHeight
External6.06 m19' 11"2.44 m8' 0"2.59 m8' 6"
Internal5.90 m19' 4"2.35 m7' 9"2.39 m7' 10"
Door opening2.34 m7' 8"2.28 m7' 6"

Values follow widely published ISO standards (metric, with imperial shown for reference). Actual dimensions vary slightly by manufacturer and series.

Capacity & Weight

Cubic capacity
33.2 m³1172 ft³
Tare (empty) weight
2,230 kg4,916 lb
Maximum payload
28,250 kg62,281 lb
Maximum gross weight
30,480 kg67,197 lb

About the 20ft Standard

The 20ft standard (general purpose) container is the most common box in ocean freight and defines the TEU unit used to measure global container volumes. Fully enclosed and weatherproof, it suits dense, heavy palletised cargo where weight, not volume, is the limit.

Best for

  • Palletised goods
  • Heavy / dense cargo
  • Machinery
  • Bagged commodities

Other container types

20ft Standard container FAQ

What are the dimensions of a 20ft Standard container?

A 20ft Standard Dry Container has external dimensions of 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m (19' 11" × 8' 0" × 8' 6"), with an internal usable space of 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m. The rear door opening measures 2.34 m wide × 2.28 m high.

How much can a 20ft Standard container hold?

A 20ft Standard has a cubic capacity of about 33.2 m³. It has a tare (empty) weight of 2,230 kg, a maximum payload of 28,250 kg and a maximum gross weight of 30,480 kg.

What is a 20ft Standard container used for?

The 20ft standard (general purpose) container is the most common box in ocean freight and defines the TEU unit used to measure global container volumes. Fully enclosed and weatherproof, it suits dense, heavy palletised cargo where weight, not volume, is the limit. It is best suited to palletised goods, heavy / dense cargo, machinery, bagged commodities.

How do I track a 20ft Standard container?

Enter the container number, bill of lading or booking number on Panvaya and we detect the carrier automatically, then show live status, ETA and port-call history on an interactive map, regardless of container type.