ISO 45G1 · 2 TEU
40 ft High Cube Container Dimensions
The 40 ft high cube (ISO type 45G1) is a standard 40 ft container with one extra foot of height: 2.896 m (9′6″) externally against 2.591 m (8′6″). That foot adds 8.7 m³, taking capacity from 67.7 to 76.4 m³ — for essentially the same slot on the ship.
High cubes have quietly become the default: the majority of new 40 ft containers built today are 9′6″. Internal height of 2.698 m also makes them the minimum choice for cargo, racking or conversions needing more than 2.39 m of clearance.
The extra height carries through to the doors: the opening is 2.340 m wide × 2.585 m high, against 2.280 m on a standard box. Those extra 30 cm of door clearance matter for tall crates, racked garments and machinery on skids.
The trade-offs are minor. Tare rises slightly to about 3,900 kg, but most HC units are rated to 32,500 kg gross, so payload is actually higher than a standard forty’s at around 28,600 kg. The only real caution is overall height on the road, covered in the FAQ below.
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| External dimensions | ||
| Length | 12.192 m | 40′ |
| Width | 2.438 m | 8′ |
| Height | 2.896 m | 9′6″ |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length | 12.032 m | 39′6″ |
| Width | 2.352 m | 7′9″ |
| Height | 2.698 m | 8′10″ |
| Door opening | ||
| Width | 2.340 m | 7′8″ |
| Height | 2.585 m | 8′6″ |
| Specification | ||
| Tare weight * | 3,900 kg | 8,598 lb |
| Max gross weight | 32,500 kg | 71,650 lb |
| Max payload * | 28,600 kg | 63,052 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 76.4 m³ | 2,698 ft³ |
| Pallets (one tier) | 25 EUR pallets | 21 US pallets |
| TEU | 2 | — |
* Typical value — varies by manufacturer
What fits in a 40 ft high cube
The floor plan is identical to the standard 40 ft — 25 EUR pallets or 21 US pallets per tier. The gain is all vertical: 30 cm more stacking height, which for double-stacked pallets or tall crates decides whether the load fits at all.
76.4 m³ of volume with a payload around 28,600 kg makes the high cube the best all-rounder in the fleet, and the standard pick for container homes and offices thanks to the extra ceiling height after insulation.
The arithmetic is easy to picture: EUR pallets loaded to 1.34 m stack two-high with room to spare, and many carton sizes gain a whole extra tier. For light, cube-out cargo — furniture, garments, toys, insulation — the 8.7 m³ bonus translates directly into fewer containers per shipment.
For conversions, 2.698 m of raw ceiling leaves roughly 2.4–2.5 m of finished headroom after floor build-up and roof insulation — livable by any building code. A standard-height box finishes below 2.2 m, which is why nearly every serious container-home plan starts from a high cube.
40 ft high cube vs standard
| 40 ft high cube container | 40 ft container | |
|---|---|---|
| ISO type code | 45G1 | 42G1 |
| External dimensions — Length | 12.192 m40′ | 12.192 m40′ |
| External dimensions — Width | 2.438 m8′ | 2.438 m8′ |
| External dimensions — Height | 2.896 m9′6″ | 2.591 m8′6″ |
| Internal dimensions — Length | 12.032 m39′6″ | 12.032 m39′6″ |
| Internal dimensions — Width | 2.352 m7′9″ | 2.352 m7′9″ |
| Internal dimensions — Height | 2.698 m8′10″ | 2.393 m7′10″ |
| Tare weight | 3,900 kg8,598 lb | 3,740 kg8,245 lb |
| Max gross weight | 32,500 kg71,650 lb | 30,480 kg67,197 lb |
| Max payload | 28,600 kg63,052 lb | 26,740 kg58,952 lb |
| Capacity (volume) | 76.4 m³2,698 ft³ | 67.7 m³2,391 ft³ |
| EUR pallets | 25 | 25 |
| TEU | 2 | 2 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 40 ft high cube container?
External: 12.192 × 2.438 × 2.896 m (40′ × 8′ × 9′6″). Internal: 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.698 m. Door: 2.340 × 2.585 m. Capacity: 76.4 m³ (2,700 ft³).
How tall is a high cube container?
2.896 m (9′6″) externally — exactly one foot taller than a standard container. Internal height is about 2.698 m against 2.393 m in a standard unit.
How much does a 40 ft high cube container cost?
In 2025–26, used 40 ft high cubes typically sell for $1,800–3,500 and one-trip units for $3,500–5,500 — usually a few hundred dollars above an equivalent standard forty. Prices vary by market and location; supply is best near major ports.
How many square feet is a 40 ft high cube?
The floor is the same as a standard 40 ft: about 305 ft² (28.3 m²), from an internal footprint of 12.032 × 2.352 m. The gain over a standard forty is height, not floor area.
How tall is a high cube container on a truck?
A 9′6″ (2.896 m) box on a standard chassis rides about 4.15–4.3 m overall, depending on chassis deck height. That clears the 4.3 m limits common in North America and much of Asia, but in countries with a 4.0 m limit (much of Europe) a lowered or gooseneck chassis is required to stay legal.
Do high cube containers cost more to ship?
Ocean rates are usually identical to a standard 40 ft — both occupy 2 TEU. On the road, the taller box can require a lowered chassis in countries with strict overall height limits.
How do I recognise a high cube container?
By its ISO type code starting with “45” (e.g. 45G1) on the door, and by the yellow-and-black caution stripe most carriers paint along the top rail of 9′6″ units.