Size against size
20ft container vs 40ft high cube container
The 40ft high cube container holds 42.5 cubic metres more and is 6.07m (20ft) longer inside. The 20ft container is 1,720kg lighter empty.
Key differences
- Load volume: the 40ft high cube container holds 42.5 cubic metres more.
- Internal length: the 40ft high cube container is 6.07m (20ft) longer inside.
- Unladen weight: the 40ft high cube container weighs 1,720kg more empty.
- Internal height: the 40ft high cube container is 30cm taller inside.
| 20ft container | 40ft high cube container | |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5944mm (19ft 6in) | 12014mm (39ft 5in) |
| Internal width | 2330mm (7ft 8in) | 2330mm (7ft 8in) |
| Internal height | 2350mm (7ft 9in) | 2650mm (8ft 9in) |
| Door opening | 2280mm x 2260mm (7ft 8in x 7ft 5in) | 2280mm x 2560mm (7ft 8in x 8ft 5in) |
| Load volume | 32.85 m3 (1160 cu ft) | 75.32 m3 (2660 cu ft) |
| Unladen weight | 2230kg | 3950kg |
| External size | 20ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in | 40ft x 8ft x 9ft 6in |
Sources: Containers Direct. Sizes vary a little between companies.
Pick the 20ft container if...
The most common container in the UK and the default for container storage sites. It takes the contents of a three-bed house, or a builder's tools and materials for the length of a job.
20ft container in full →Pick the 40ft high cube container if...
A 40ft with 30cm more headroom and a taller door, which matters for racking, machinery and anything stacked on pallets. The favourite base for container conversions.
40ft high cube container in full →Common questions
What is the difference between a 20ft container and a 40ft high cube container?
The 40ft high cube container holds 42.5 cubic metres more and is 6.07m (20ft) longer inside. The 20ft container is 1,720kg lighter empty.
What fits in a 20ft container?
The most common container in the UK and the default for container storage sites. It takes the contents of a three-bed house, or a builder's tools and materials for the length of a job.
What fits in a 40ft high cube container?
A 40ft with 30cm more headroom and a taller door, which matters for racking, machinery and anything stacked on pallets. The favourite base for container conversions.