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This article will give you an in-depth view of the measurements, dimensions, and capacity of a 20 ft shipping container. When moving abroad choosing a 20 ft container is ideal if you are moving alone or from a 1 to 3-bedroom apartment.
The 20-ft shipping container dimensions are standardized worldwide. However, the inner and outer dimensions of the container have a slight difference due to the thickness of the walls. The weight of the container is 2.4 tons, which is almost always included in the weight measurements reported for the containers. Below are the exact measurements for both.
20 ft container inside dimensions
20 ft container outside dimensions
High cube containers are a foot taller than regular containers, making them ideal for transporting tall furniture pieces or artwork. It’s good to measure the height of the items you need to transport before choosing the container size.
20 ft high container inside dimensions
20 ft high container outside dimensions
A standard 20-foot shipping container can hold up to 28 tons in weight and a 20-foot high cube shipping container can hold slightly more, depending on how the items are packed. The container in itself weighs around 2.4 tons.
For more information on how much can fit inside a 20 ft shipping container, have a look at our shipping container costs article.
20 ft container volume
The full volume of a 20 ft shipping container is 1,172 cubic feet and 33.2 cubic meters. It makes it ideal for moving the contents of 1-3 bedroom houses or a lot of moving boxes.
The volume of a 20 ft high cube container is slightly higher at 1,320 cubic feet and 37.4 cubic meters. Choosing a high cube shipping container can be wise if you have much furniture to ship, due to the extra space it provides.
20 ft container weight capacity
The maximum weight that a 20-foot container can hold, including the weight of the cargo itself, is 52,910 lbs (24,000 kg). Whereas, the weight left for the items that are being transported is around 47,840 lbs (21,700 kg).
A 20-foot container easily holds up to a 3-bedroom apartment. You can fit bikes, kitchen appliances, beds, closets, and 30 or more moving boxes. The container can hold up to 63,500 pounds of goods.
For international moves, you should consider what you want to pack with you and what you want to leave behind. Although a lot fits inside a 20 ft container, it still has limited capacity and won’t fit a car and your furniture.
It’s good to know the difference between a high cube and a standard container when choosing which one to use for your move. Both of the container models are generally available for international moves or for storing goods. The main difference is in the height of the containers, which makes the high cube model ideal for transporting tall furniture or machinery.
If you are moving with standard moving boxes and furniture the 20 ft container should be fitting for your needs. However, if it’s too big you can always look into consolidated shipping or a 10 ft shipping container.
| 20 ft High Cube Container | 20 ft Standard Container |
| 150ft² in floor area | 150ft² in floor area |
| 1310ft³ in volume | 1160ft³ in volume |
| 2.4 tonnes in weight | 2.4 tonnes in weight |
If you’re left with questions please see our FAQs below or have a look at our other articles below.
