Reference guide

Container size guide

ISO shipping containers and Indian container trucks, side by side, so you book the right box.

This free guide from Safe & Secure Logistics sets ISO containers beside Indian container trucks. It gives inside and outside dimensions, cubic capacity, payload and pallet counts for 20 ft, 40 ft, 40 ft high cube and reefer boxes, plus 20 ft and 32 ft trucks, so you book the right one.

ISO shipping containers (metres)

Container	External L × W × H	Internal L × W × H	Door W × H	m³	Payload (t)	Pallets
20 ft dry (GP)	6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591	5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39	2.34 × 2.28	≈ 33	≈ 28	10 standard / 11 Euro
40 ft dry (GP)	12.192 × 2.438 × 2.591	12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39	2.34 × 2.28	≈ 67	≈ 26 to 28	20 to 21 standard / 23 to 24 Euro
40 ft high cube (HC)	12.192 × 2.438 × 2.896	12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69	2.34 × 2.58	≈ 76	≈ 26 to 28	20 to 21 standard / 23 to 24 Euro
20 ft reefer	6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591	≈ 5.44 × 2.29 × 2.27	≈ 2.29 × 2.26	≈ 28	≈ 27	≈ 10 Euro
40 ft high-cube reefer	12.192 × 2.438 × 2.896	≈ 11.58 × 2.29 × 2.50	≈ 2.29 × 2.50	≈ 67	≈ 29	≈ 23 Euro

Indian container trucks (feet)

Truck	Body L × W × H	Volume (cft)	Payload (t)
14 ft LCV (407 class)	14 × 6 × 6	500	2.5 to 4
17 ft MCV (1109 class)	17 × 6.5 × 7	770	5 to 7
19 ft MCV	19 × 7 × 7	930	7 to 9
20 ft container truck	20 × 8 × 8	1,280	6 to 7
32 ft container, single axle (SXL)	32 × 8 × 8	2,048	7 to 9
32 ft container, multi axle (MXL)	32 × 8 × 8	2,048	14 to 18
32 ft reefer, multi axle	31 × 7.6 × 7.6	1,790	14 to 16

Not sure which fits? Try the truck sizer or volume calculator.

How it works

The method, and its limits

External dimensions are fixed by ISO 668 so boxes stack and lock anywhere in the world. Internal dimensions, door openings and payloads are typical values: they vary slightly by manufacturer, and reefers lose space to insulation and the refrigeration unit. Always check the container’s CSC plate for its rated gross weight and tare.

Indian container trucks are domestic road bodies, not ISO boxes. A 32 ft single-axle and a 32 ft multi-axle share the same box; the multi-axle carries roughly twice the weight.

Sources

Where the figures come from

Figures are general information, checked on 29 Sep 2026. Rules change; follow the source before acting.

Frequently asked questions

What are the dimensions of a 20 ft container?

Externally 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m (ISO 668). Inside, a typical 20 ft dry container is about 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m, roughly 33 cubic metres.

How much does a 40 ft high cube hold?

About 76 cubic metres inside, roughly 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m. That is about 30 cm more height than a standard 40 ft.

How many pallets fit in a 20 ft container?

Single-stacked, typically 10 standard (1,200 × 1,000 mm) or 11 Euro (1,200 × 800 mm) pallets.

Is a 32 ft truck the same as a 40 ft ISO container?

No. A 32 ft Indian container truck is a domestic road body about 32 × 8 × 8 ft (about 2,048 cft). ISO containers are standard shipping boxes carried on trailers.

Can a heavy 20 ft container go by road in India?

Road weight is limited by the vehicle’s permissible gross weight, so a fully loaded 20 ft box may need a suitable trailer. Our desk checks the vehicle for the box weight.

Why are internal dimensions approximate?

Inside sizes vary a little by manufacturer and build year, especially for reefers, whose insulation and machinery take space. Check the container’s CSC plate or the line’s spec sheet.

What is the maximum gross weight of a container?

Most modern 20 ft and 40 ft containers are rated to 30,480 kg gross, with payload being gross minus tare. The rating is on the CSC plate.

What does TEU mean?

Twenty-foot equivalent unit: one 20 ft container is 1 TEU; a 40 ft is 2 TEU (also called an FEU).

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