Short answer
The three common dry containers are the 20GP, 40GP and 40HQ. As a working guide, a 20-foot (20GP) takes around 28 CBM of usable cargo, a 40-foot (40GP) around 58 CBM, and a 40-foot high-cube (40HQ) around 68 CBM — the HQ is the same length as a 40GP but about 30cm taller, so it fits more of light, bulky cargo. Which one you need comes down to your total cargo volume: work out your CBM first, and if it fills most of a box, book FCL; if it does not, LCL is usually cheaper.
For importers and shippers working out whether their cargo fits a container and which size to book.
Published by VSPEED · Updated
20GP, 40GP and 40HQ at a glance
A 20GP (20-foot general purpose) is internally about 5.9m long, 2.35m wide and 2.39m high — roughly 28 CBM of usable space and up to around 28 tonnes of payload. A 40GP doubles the length to about 12.0m at the same width and height, giving roughly 58 CBM. A 40HQ (high-cube) keeps the 40-foot length but raises the height to about 2.69m, so you get roughly 68 CBM. Nominal capacity is always higher than what you can actually pack, because cartons rarely fill a box wall to wall — plan on usable, not theoretical, volume.
When the high-cube (40HQ) is worth it
The 40HQ costs a little more than a 40GP but adds about 30cm of height across the whole length. That extra top space is only useful if your cargo is light and bulky — think furniture, cushions, packaging, empty containers, plastic goods — where you run out of volume before you run out of weight. If your cargo is dense and you hit the weight limit first, a standard 40GP is usually the better value.
Work out your CBM first — VSPEED helps
Before choosing a box, add up your cargo volume: length x width x height in metres, per carton, times quantity, gives your total CBM. If that fills most of a container, FCL (a whole box) is usually cheaper per unit; if it is well short, LCL (paying by the CBM you use, from 0.5 CBM with VSPEED) makes more sense. Send your carton dimensions and quantity and VSPEED will tell you which box fits and whether FCL or LCL is cheaper for your shipment.
FAQ
How many CBM fit in a 40-foot container?
A standard 40GP holds roughly 58 CBM of usable cargo, and a 40HQ high-cube roughly 68 CBM. Both figures are practical estimates — actual fit depends on carton sizes and how they stack.
What is the difference between 40GP and 40HQ?
Same length and width; the 40HQ (high-cube) is about 30cm taller, giving roughly 10 more CBM. Use it for light, bulky cargo that fills up on volume before weight.
How much can a 20GP carry by weight?
A 20GP takes up to around 28 tonnes of payload — often the weight limit is reached before the space is full for dense cargo like tiles, stone or machinery. Check both volume and weight when choosing.
Should I book a container or ship LCL?
If your cargo fills most of a container, FCL is usually cheaper per unit. If it is well under, LCL (from 0.5 CBM with VSPEED) means you only pay for the space you use. Send your CBM and VSPEED compares both.