Container Capacity and Loading Plan
Internal dimensions, maximum payload and pallet capacity of 20' DV, 40' DV and 40' HC containers.
A 20' DV offers about 33 m³ of internal volume, a 40' DV about 68 m³ and a 40' HC about 76 m³. These values vary by a few hundred litres with the manufacturer, the series and the age of the container; the binding maximum gross weight of a container is shown on the CSC plate on its door, and the tare is written on the door. The table below is for planning, not for declarations.
How it is calculated
Capacity is limited by two separate ceilings, and whichever fills first binds. Volume ceiling: internal length × internal width × internal height. For a 40' DV, 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.393 ≈ 67.7 m³; in tables this is rounded to 68 m³. Weight ceiling: from the maximum gross weight on the CSC plate (a common value is 30,480 kg) subtract the container's tare; for a 40' DV with a tare of 3,800 kg, the maximum payload is ≈ 26,680 kg. Example: 25 euro pallets, each 1.386 m³ and 900 kg. Volume is 34.7 m³ (below 67.7), weight 22,500 kg (below 26,680) — a single layer fits. If each pallet weighed 1,100 kg, the total would be 27,500 kg and the weight ceiling would fill first.
Internal dimensions and volumes
Internal dimensions differ from external ones and vary with the container manufacturer, series and age. The values below are references commonly used in the industry; the door opening is a few centimetres narrower than the internal width, so for wide or tall packages ask about the door dimensions separately. The volumes given are theoretical geometric volumes: because of stowage gaps, packaging allowance, lashing and dunnage, practical fill is lower for most cargo. The floor area of a 40' HC and a 40' DV is the same; the only difference is about 30 centimetres of internal height, and that difference decides for light, bulky cargo.
- 20' DV — internal ≈ 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m · volume ≈ 33 m³ · tare ≈ 2,200–2,400 kg
- 40' DV — internal ≈ 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m · volume ≈ 68 m³ · tare ≈ 3,700–3,900 kg
- 40' HC — internal ≈ 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m · volume ≈ 76 m³ · tare ≈ 3,900–4,100 kg
- Maximum gross weight is 30,480 kg on most units; maximum payload = maximum gross − tare
- The door opening is narrower than the internal width; check separately for bulky packages
How many pallets fit: single layer and double stacking
For a single layer on the floor, with euro pallets (120 × 80 cm) and industrial pallets (120 × 100 cm), capacities are roughly: 11 euro or 9–10 industrial pallets in a 20' DV, and 24–25 euro or 20–21 industrial pallets in a 40' DV and a 40' HC. These numbers vary by one or two with the layout, the overhang allowance and the pallet orientation. If the cargo can be stacked, a double layer is possible: the internal height of about 269 cm of a 40' HC takes two layers of 130–134 cm including the pallet, while the 239 cm of a 40' DV allows only two layers of 115–118 cm including the pallet. In double stacking, height is not the only deciding factor — whether the lower pallet can carry the load above it, and whether the total exceeds the weight ceiling, are also checked.
- 20' DV: 11 euro pallets or 9–10 industrial pallets (single layer)
- 40' DV / 40' HC: 24–25 euro pallets or 20–21 industrial pallets (single layer)
- For double stacking, a layer height of ~130 cm including the pallet in a 40' HC and ~117 cm in a 40' DV
- The load-bearing capacity of the lower pallet is a precondition for double stacking
Does volume limit it, or weight?
Which ceiling fills first is decided by the density of your cargo. The rough threshold is the maximum payload divided by the internal volume: in a 20' DV about 28,200 ÷ 33.1 ≈ 850 kg/m³, in a 40' DV 26,700 ÷ 67.7 ≈ 395 kg/m³, in a 40' HC 26,500 ÷ 76.3 ≈ 347 kg/m³. If your density is above the threshold, weight limits; below it, volume. The practical result: for dense cargo such as marble, steel, ceramics and liquids, a 20' container carries far more kilograms per cubic metre; for light, bulky cargo such as furniture, packaging, textiles and plastics, a 40' HC gives the most cubic metres. Taking one 40' instead of two 20' gains in volume but almost halves the total weight ceiling — for dense cargo this choice backfires.
- 20' DV threshold ≈ 850 kg/m³
- 40' DV threshold ≈ 395 kg/m³
- 40' HC threshold ≈ 347 kg/m³
- Dense cargo → 20', light bulky cargo → 40' HC
The road ceiling and the CSC plate
The weight that fits into a container is not the weight you can haul that container by road. In Türkiye the weight and dimensions article of the Highway Traffic Regulation sets the maximum laden weight of five- or six-axle tractor–semi-trailer combinations at 40 tonnes; in combined transport, with suitable combinations carrying a 40 ft ISO container, this limit rises to 44 tonnes. A tractor and container chassis together weigh roughly 13–15 tonnes and the tare of a 40-foot container about 3.8 tonnes; under the 44-tonne ceiling the remaining payload falls into the 25–27 tonne band and, depending on the combination, can drop below the 26.7 tonnes the container could carry at sea. Under the 40-tonne regime the margin falls back to around 23 tonnes. Limits differ between the countries of origin and destination, and on some routes axle-based extra restrictions apply. The binding maximum gross weight is always on the CSC plate on the door of that specific container; the tare is painted on the door, and the VGM declaration is calculated from this tare. For how free times work, see demurrage and detention.
- Türkiye: for suitable combinations carrying a 40 ft ISO container, the maximum laden weight is 44 tonnes
- The general tractor–semi-trailer limit is 40 tonnes; it varies by country and route
- Tractor + chassis ≈ 13–15 tonnes, tare of a 40' container ≈ 3.8 tonnes
- Binding values: the CSC plate on the door (maximum gross) and the tare marking on the door
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic metres of cargo fit in a 20-foot container?
The theoretical internal volume is about 33 m³ (roughly 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m). In practice the whole volume cannot be used: because package dimensions do not divide exactly into the container's, stowage gaps remain, and lashing and dunnage take space too. With palletised cargo the actual fill is mostly below the theoretical volume. For precise planning, calculating from the pallet size and the number of layers is more reliable.
What is the difference between a 40' DV and a 40' HC?
Only the internal height. Both have the same floor area and length; the internal height of a 40' HC is about 2.69 m and that of a 40' DV about 2.39 m. These 30 centimetres raise the volume from about 68 m³ to 76 m³ and change the possibility of double stacking. There is no gain on the weight side; because the tare of the HC is slightly heavier, the maximum payload on most units is the same as the DV or a notch lower.
Where do I find the real tare of a container?
On the door of the container. The CSC plate riveted to the door leaf shows the maximum gross weight; the tare and maximum payload are painted on the door. Tare values in catalogues are averages and can differ on the actual unit. The VGM (verified gross mass) declaration also uses the container's own tare, so photographing the door before loading prevents disputes later.
Should I take two 20' containers or one 40'?
Look at density. The volume of one 40' container is close to the total volume of two 20' containers, but its maximum payload is limited to that of a single container — so two 20' containers carry roughly twice the weight. For dense cargo such as marble, steel and ceramics, 20' containers are preferred; for light, bulky cargo such as furniture, packaging and textiles, one 40' HC takes more cubic metres and reduces handling.
What if my cargo does not fill a container?
Shared-container LCL shipping comes into play; the charge comes from the revenue ton, that is, from the comparison of cubic metres with tonnes. You can work out the cubic metres of your cargo with the CBM calculator, and see the FCL and LCL page for the difference between the two modes. Once your volume passes a certain share of the container, a full container often becomes the more sensible choice; share the dimensions and we will compare both options: get a quote.