40HQ container dimensions
A 40 ft high cube (40HQ) container is typically 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,698 mm inside (39.48 × 7.72 × 8.85 ft), about 76.4 m³, with a typical maximum payload of 26,500 kg. It takes 25 EUR pallets or 20 US 48 × 40 in pallets on the floor.
- Inside length
- 12,032 mm 39 ft 5.7 in
- Inside width
- 2,352 mm 7 ft 8.6 in
- Inside height
- 2,698 mm 8 ft 10.2 in
- Capacity
- 76.4 m³ 2,696 ft³
- Typical max payload
- 26,500 kg 58,422 lb
- Floor area
- 28.3 m² 305 ft²
- Also called
- 40HQ, 40HC, 40' high cube
Pallets per 40HQ
Single stack, floor geometry. Real loads can be one or two lower because of corrugated walls and door frames.
Cartons per 40HQ
Common carton sizes, best of six orientations, simple block loading, by space only.
| Carton | Cartons | Volume used |
|---|---|---|
| 30 × 20 × 15 cm | 7,820 | 92 % |
| 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 2,990 | 94 % |
| 40 × 30 × 30 cm | 1,840 | 87 % |
| 50 × 40 × 30 cm | 1,150 | 90 % |
| 60 × 40 × 40 cm | 660 | 83 % |
| 60 × 40 × 30 cm | 920 | 87 % |
The working
- Inside
12,032 × 2,352 × 2,698 mm - Volume
12.032 × 2.352 × 2.698 = 76.35 m³ - EUR pallets, floor
10×1 + 15×1 = 25 - Floor used by EUR pallets
25 × 0.96 m² ÷ 28.3 m² = 85 % - 40 × 30 × 20 cm cartons
230 per tier × 13 tiers = 2,990
Typical, not guaranteed
Container dimensions vary by a few millimetres to centimetres between manufacturers and shipping lines, and a dented or reefer-converted box can be smaller still. The figure that binds you is on the container's CSC plate and in your carrier's equipment specification.
Weight before volume
Dense cargo reaches the payload long before the box is full. Road limits for the truck carrying the container can be lower than the container's own payload.
Other containers
Common questions
What are the inside dimensions of a 40HQ container?
Typically 12,032 mm long, 2,352 mm wide and 2,698 mm high (39 ft 5.7 in × 7 ft 8.6 in × 8 ft 10.2 in). Values vary slightly by line and box.
How many CBM is a 40HQ?
About 76.4 m³ (2,696 ft³) of internal volume. Mixed cartons usually load to 80–90 % of that, about 61 to 69 m³.
How many pallets fit in a 40HQ?
By floor geometry, single stack: 25 EUR pallets (1200 × 800 mm), 22 UK pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) or 20 US pallets (48 × 40 in).
How much weight can a 40HQ carry?
A typical maximum payload is about 26,500 kg (58,422 lb). The binding figure is on the container's CSC plate, and road limits may be lower.
How many 40 × 30 × 20 cm cartons fit in a 40HQ?
About 2,990 by space, using simple block loading (94 % of the volume). Check the weight: at 12 kg each the limit is 2,208 cartons.