20 / 40 / 40HC dimensions and payload
Planning numbers used by the Palletizr tools hub. Treat payload as a planning ceiling — line, road, VGM, and canal draft can be tighter than ISO plate values.
| Type | Internal L × W × H | Cube (approx.) | Max payload (plan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20' GP | 589.8 × 235.2 × 239.3 cm | 33.2 m³ | 28,200 kg |
| 40' GP | 1,203.2 × 235.2 × 239.3 cm | 67.7 m³ | 26,700 kg |
| 40' High Cube | 1,203.2 × 235.2 × 269.8 cm | 76.3 m³ | 26,460 kg |
Usable cube for mixed cartons is usually ~85–90% of theoretical volume after dunnage, aisles, and crush limits. Weight is often the real bottleneck on dense SKUs — check both before you book.
When to pick which
- 20' GP — heavy / dense cargo where you hit payload before cube; shorter lanes or LCL consolidation into a full box.
- 40' GP — standard pallet floor plans and mixed retail when height headroom is enough.
- 40' HC — light / bulky cartons and furniture where the extra ~30 cm of height pays for itself in cube.
Rank 20 / 40 / 40HC for your SKU
Single-SKU recommender using the same specs as this table.
Cube vs weight check
See which limit bites first before you over-book height or payload.
Pallets on a 40' floor
US and EUR footprint counts for one tier.
Panama draft worksheet
When canal or booking max cargo is tighter than the plate payload.