Shipping containers look identical from the outside, so it’s easy to assume they all hold the same amount.
They don’t. If you’re loading cargo on pallets, a few centimetres of width can change how much you fit, and how much you pay to move it.
That’s where the pallet wide container comes in. It matches a standard container on the outside but gives you more room for Euro pallets inside. In a 20ft unit, that means 15 pallets instead of 11. In a 40ft standard container, it’s 30 instead of 24 or 25.
So what makes the difference, and is it worth choosing over a standard container? Let’s break it down.
Key Takeaways:
- A pallet wide container shares the external dimensions of a standard ISO container, but its interior is wider (2.438m vs 2.348m).
- A 20ft pallet wide holds 15 Euro pallets against 11. A 40ft holds 30 against 24 to 25.
- The extra width mainly helps Euro pallets. UK pallets probably gain much less.
- Standard containers still win on availability, mixed cargo, storage and conversions.
What Is a Pallet Wide Container?
Why does that matter? The Euro pallet (also called the EUR-pallet) measures 1200 x 800mm, so two of them turned lengthways need roughly 2.4m of floor width. A pallet wide container has room for that. A standard container, at 2.348m, doesn’t quite. Loaders then have to mix pallet orientations, and the wasted gaps add up. That’s why most pallet wide shipping containers run on European freight routes.
Pallet Wide Container Dimensions vs Standard Container Dimensions
Here’s how the shipping container dimensions compare. Because the outside matches, cranes, trucks and ships treat both the same way.
| Specification | Standard Container | Pallet Wide Container |
|---|---|---|
| Internal width | 2.348m | 2.438m |
| External size (20ft) | 6.10 x 2.44 x 2.59m | 6.10 x 2.44 x 2.59m |
| External size (40ft) | 12.19 x 2.44 x 2.59m | 12.19 x 2.44 x 2.59m |
| Euro pallets, 20ft | 11 | 15 |
| Euro pallets, 40ft | 24 to 25 | 30 |
How Many Pallets Fit in a Container? 20ft vs 40ft
- 20ft standard container: about 11 pallets
- 20ft pallet wide container: 15 pallets
- 40ft standard container: 24 to 25 pallets
- 40ft pallet wide container: 30 pallets
Double stacking can raise pallet capacity, but only if your cargo is light and low enough. Weight limits usually decide this, not floor space. A high cube container adds roughly a foot of height, which helps with stacking but does nothing for the floor count.
If you need extra width to accommodate more pallets side by side, explore our 45ft pallet-wide shipping containers to compare available options and pallet capacity.
Before you pick a container, confirm your pallet size. Every figure above assumes Euro pallets, and a different pallet can change the answer
Euro Pallet vs Standard Pallet: Does Pallet Size Matter?
It does. The European pallet is 1200 x 800mm, while the common pallet in the UK is 1200 x 1000mm, which is wider.
UK pallets usually work out at around 10 in a 20ft standard container and 20 to 21 in a 40ft. A pallet wide container is built around Euro pallets, so UK pallets probably gain little from it. In other words, the type of pallets you ship counts for as much as the container you choose.
Types of Pallet Wide Containers
- 20ft pallet wide: compact, and a good fit for smaller loads
- 40ft pallet wide: the usual choice for larger freight volumes
- 40ft high cube pallet wide: the same width with extra height for bulky, lighter cargo
Pallet Wide or Standard: Which Should You Choose?
Go for pallet wide if:
- Most of your cargo travels on Euro pallets
- You ship on European routes
- Every extra pallet position changes your cost per unit
Stick with a standard container if:
- You move mixed cargo or loose goods
- You need a unit for storage, site use or a conversion
- You want the widest choice of shipping container sizes and suppliers
Temperature is a separate question. Cargo that needs cooling calls for a refrigerated container, often called a reefer container, while a dry container suits most other goods. Width is only one part of choosing the right type of shipping container.
Not sure which container dimensions best suit your cargo? Our guide to choosing the right shipping container size explains the key differences in size, capacity and practical use.
Looking for Containers for Sale?
Not sure which size suits your load? Blue Fin supplies new and used containers, including standard, high cube, one-trip and CSC-certified units, with delivery across the UK. Tell us what you’re shipping or storing, and we’ll point you to the right one.
Before choosing your container, consider the available space at your premises and the access required for unloading. Our 40ft shipping container delivery information explains the main access and site preparation considerations.
