ISO 22G1 · 1 TEU
20 ft Container Dimensions
The 20 ft dry container (ISO type 22G1) is the reference unit of global shipping — the “twenty-foot equivalent unit”, or TEU, that all vessel and port capacity is measured in. Externally it is 6.058 m long, 2.438 m wide and 2.591 m high (20′ × 8′ × 8′6″).
Inside, corrugated walls and the door frame reduce usable space to 5.898 × 2.352 × 2.393 m — about 33.2 m³. It is the workhorse for dense, heavy cargo: with a payload near 28 tonnes it carries the same weight as a 40 ft container in half the volume.
The door opening is 2.340 m wide × 2.280 m high. That single number explains much of the 20-footer’s second life on land: it is wide enough to drive a passenger car through, roll in machinery on a pallet truck, or fit standard 2.2 m racking sections without tilting.
A high cube version of the twenty exists — ISO code 25G1, 2.896 m tall — but it is genuinely rare. Fleets that need extra height almost always jump straight to the 40 ft high cube, so if you specifically need a tall twenty, expect a search and a premium.
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| External dimensions | ||
| Length | 6.058 m | 19′11″ |
| Width | 2.438 m | 8′ |
| Height | 2.591 m | 8′6″ |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length | 5.898 m | 19′4″ |
| Width | 2.352 m | 7′9″ |
| Height | 2.393 m | 7′10″ |
| Door opening | ||
| Width | 2.340 m | 7′8″ |
| Height | 2.280 m | 7′6″ |
| Specification | ||
| Tare weight * | 2,230 kg | 4,916 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg | 67,197 lb |
| Max payload * | 28,250 kg | 62,281 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 33.2 m³ | 1,172 ft³ |
| Pallets (one tier) | 11 EUR pallets | 10 US pallets |
| TEU | 1 | — |
* Typical value — varies by manufacturer
What fits in a 20 ft container
Floor-loaded in one tier, a 20 ft container takes 11 EUR pallets (1.2 × 0.8 m) or 10 US pallets (48″ × 40″). Loose-loaded, its 33.2 m³ swallow roughly the contents of a two-bedroom apartment.
The weight math matters more than the volume for cargo like stone, metal, paper or liquids in drums: max payload of ~28,250 kg is reached with the box barely half full. That is exactly why heavy freight moves in twenties and light, bulky freight in forties.
Beyond freight. The 20 ft size is the sweet spot for static uses: it is the standard unit of self-storage yards, a ready-made site workshop with room for a bench down one wall, and the most common starting point for a tiny office or pop-up shop — 13.9 m² of floor is comparable to a small home office once insulated. A car fits through the 2.34 m door opening, which makes twenties popular for classic-car storage.
Handling is straightforward: at 2.2 t empty a 20 ft box moves with a HIAB truck, a forklift with extended tines (from the side, on the fork pockets), or a small crane — no specialised equipment needed.
20 ft vs 40 ft container
| 20 ft container | 40 ft container | |
|---|---|---|
| ISO type code | 22G1 | 42G1 |
| External dimensions — Length | 6.058 m19′11″ | 12.192 m40′ |
| External dimensions — Width | 2.438 m8′ | 2.438 m8′ |
| External dimensions — Height | 2.591 m8′6″ | 2.591 m8′6″ |
| Internal dimensions — Length | 5.898 m19′4″ | 12.032 m39′6″ |
| Internal dimensions — Width | 2.352 m7′9″ | 2.352 m7′9″ |
| Internal dimensions — Height | 2.393 m7′10″ | 2.393 m7′10″ |
| Tare weight | 2,230 kg4,916 lb | 3,740 kg8,245 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,480 kg67,197 lb | 30,480 kg67,197 lb |
| Max payload | 28,250 kg62,281 lb | 26,740 kg58,952 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 33.2 m³1,172 ft³ | 67.7 m³2,391 ft³ |
| EUR pallets | 11 | 25 |
| TEU | 1 | 2 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 20 ft container?
External: 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m (20′ × 8′ × 8′6″). Internal: 5.898 × 2.352 × 2.393 m. Door opening: 2.340 m wide × 2.280 m high. Capacity: 33.2 m³ (1,172 ft³).
How much does a 20 ft container weigh?
Empty (tare) weight is about 2,230 kg (4,916 lb), varying slightly by manufacturer. Maximum gross weight is 30,480 kg, which allows a payload of roughly 28,250 kg.
How much does a 20 ft container cost?
In 2025–26, a used cargo-worthy 20 ft container typically costs $1,200–2,500, while a one-trip (nearly new) unit runs $2,500–4,000. Prices vary widely by market and location — port cities are cheaper than inland areas because supply is deeper.
How many square feet is a 20 ft container?
About 150 ft² (13.9 m²) of internal floor — 5.898 m long by 2.352 m wide. For comparison, that is roughly the floor area of a single-car garage.
How many pallets fit in a 20 ft container?
11 EUR pallets (1.2 × 0.8 m) or 10 standard US pallets (48″ × 40″) fit in a single floor tier, depending on the loading pattern.
Why is a 20 ft container called 1 TEU?
TEU stands for twenty-foot equivalent unit. The 20 ft container is the industry’s base measure of capacity: a 40 ft container equals 2 TEU, and ship or terminal capacity is quoted in TEU.
What is a 20 ft container in metres?
Externally 6.06 m long, 2.44 m wide and 2.59 m high. The interior is 5.90 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m.