Container formats reference

15 ISO container types — dimensions, payload, common use

The intermodal container is the standardised steel box that moves nearly all manufactured trade. Built to ISO 668 (dimensions) and ISO 6346 (marking), the formats below cover the working inventory of every ocean carrier on the planet — from the ubiquitous 20' general purpose dry box to specialty units such as ISO tanks, flat racks and refrigerated reefers. Each entry below links to a full reference page with internal dimensions, payload limits, door openings and the carriers most likely to supply that format at scale.

• 20' General Purpose Dry Container — ISO 22G1; 28,230 kg payload; 33.2 m³.
• 40' General Purpose Dry Container — ISO 42G1; 28,800 kg payload; 67.7 m³.
• 40' High Cube Dry Container — ISO 45G1; 28,560 kg payload; 76.4 m³.
• 45' High Cube Dry Container — ISO L5G1; 27,600 kg payload; 86.1 m³.
• 20' Refrigerated Container — ISO 22R1; 27,700 kg payload; 28.3 m³.
• 40' Refrigerated Container — ISO 42R1; 29,150 kg payload; 59.5 m³.
• 40' High Cube Refrigerated Container — ISO 45R1; 29,520 kg payload; 67.5 m³.
• 20' Open Top Container — ISO 22U1; 28,080 kg payload; 32.4 m³.
• 40' Open Top Container — ISO 42U1; 26,680 kg payload; 66.7 m³.
• 20' Flat Rack Container — ISO 22P1; 30,140 kg payload; specialty.
• 40' Flat Rack Container — ISO 42P1; 39,000 kg payload; specialty.
• 20' ISO Tank Container — ISO 22T1; 26,000 kg payload; 26 m³.
• 20' Ventilated Container — ISO 22V1; 21,700 kg payload; 33 m³.
• 20' Bulk Container — ISO 22B1; 28,000 kg payload; 32 m³.
• 40' Non-Operating Reefer (NOR) — ISO 42R9; 29,520 kg payload; 67.5 m³.