How many CBM in a 40ft container?
A 40ft container holds about 67 m³ (CBM) — roughly double a 20ft, or about 20–24 pallets. It is the most common box in ocean freight and the default for a full container load of general cargo.
Internal volume
67.6 m³
2,387 ft³
GMA pallets
20
single layer
Euro pallets
24
single layer
Max payload
27 t
26,700 kg
40ft Standard container dimensions
These are the typical internal dimensions — what actually fits inside. The door opening is slightly smaller, so measure tall or wide cargo against the doorway, not just the box.
| Internal length | 12.03 m | 39' 5" |
| Internal width | 2.35 m | 7' 8" |
| Internal height | 2.39 m | 7' 10" |
| Capacity (CBM) | 67.6 m³ | 2,387 ft³ |
| Max payload | 26,700 kg | 58,863 lb |
| Equivalent | 2 TEU | 40' GP · 2 TEU |
How many pallets fit in a 40ft container?
Floor-loaded in a single layer, a 40ft container takes about 20 standard GMA pallets (48×40 in) or 24 Euro pallets (1200×800 mm). If your cargo stacks and you are under the weight limit, double-stacking can roughly double those numbers. Work out how many of your cartons fit per pallet first with the pallet calculator.
How many boxes fit in a 40ft container?
That depends on your box size — a 40ft container is 67.6 m³, but real packing efficiency is usually 80–90% once orientation and gaps are accounted for. Enter your carton dimensions in the container loading calculator to see how many fit this and other containers, or total your shipment volume with the CBM calculator.
Twice the space — but less payload than a 20ft
The 40ft's defining trade-off surprises first-time shippers: it has double the volume of a 20ft (67.6 vs 33.1 m³) but a slightly lower rated payload (about 26,700 vs 28,200 kg), because the longer steel box itself weighs more. Its break-even density works out to roughly 395 kg/m³ — cargo lighter than that fills the space before it reaches the weight limit, which describes most consumer goods, furniture, apparel and electronics. That's why the 40ft, not the 20ft, is the default box of containerised trade.
The corollary: if your cargo is dense enough to weigh out a 40ft at half-volume, you're usually better off with a 20ft (nearly the same payload, cheaper slot) or two 20fts for really heavy lots.
Pallets, cartons and the 'two TEU' economics
A 40ft floor-loads about twenty GMA pallets or twenty-four Euro pallets in a single layer — double-stackable to roughly forty positions if the freight allows. Loose-loaded cartons typically achieve 55–60 m³ of the nominal 67.6, so quotes built on '58 CBM usable' are being realistic rather than pessimistic.
Commercially, a 40ft counts as 2 TEU but almost never costs twice a 20ft's freight rate — the per-CBM cost of a 40ft is usually markedly lower. Once a shipment grows past roughly 25–28 m³ (a 20ft's practical fill), stepping up to the 40ft is normally cheaper than paying LCL rates on the overflow.
Frequently asked questions
How many CBM are in a 40ft container?
A 40ft container has an internal volume of about 67.6 m³ (2,387 ft³). In practice you can load roughly 80–90% of that once you account for pallet patterns, packaging and bracing.
How many pallets fit in a 40ft container?
Floor-loaded in a single layer, a 40ft container holds about 20 standard GMA (48×40 in) pallets or 24 Euro (1200×800 mm) pallets. Double-stacking can roughly double that if your cargo and weight limit allow.
What is the maximum payload of a 40ft container?
A 40ft container carries up to about 26,700 kg (58,863 lb) of cargo. Dense freight often hits this weight limit before it fills the volume — always check both.
Why does a 40ft carry less weight than a 20ft?
Because maximum gross weight is similar for both sizes and the 40ft's longer structure has a higher tare weight, its cargo payload ends up slightly lower — about 26,700 kg vs the 20ft's 28,200 kg. You buy the 40ft for its volume, not its weight capacity.
At what shipment size does a 40ft beat LCL or a 20ft?
As a rule of thumb, LCL stops making sense somewhere around 13–15 m³, a 20ft is right up to its ~25–28 m³ practical fill, and beyond that the 40ft usually wins on per-CBM cost. Compare actual quotes on your lane — the crossover moves with market rates.