---
title: "HC (High Cube) Container"
description: "HC (high cube) containers are one foot taller than standard containers, increasing cubic meter (CBM) capacity. They are typically available in 40' and 45' lengths."
language: en
canonical: https://www.flexport.com/glossary/high-cube-container/
lifecycle: live
dateModified: 2026-10-08T14:46:58Z
topics:
  - "Prep"
---

# HC (High Cube) Container

HC (high cube) containers are one foot taller than standard containers, increasing cubic meter (CBM) capacity. They are typically available in 40' and 45' lengths.

## What is a HC container?

HC (high cube) containers are one foot taller than standard containers, increasing [CBM (Cubic Meter)](https://www.flexport.com/glossary/cubic-meter/) capacity. HC containers are typically available in 40' and 45' lengths.

A standard dry container stands 8 feet 6 inches tall. A high cube container stands 9 feet 6 inches tall, which gives a 40-foot high cube roughly 76 CBM of internal space, compared with roughly 67 CBM in a standard 40-foot container.

## When should you ship in a high cube container?

High cube containers suit light, bulky cargo, such as furniture, apparel, and household goods, where volume fills the container before weight does. They also fit tall items that won't clear a standard container. Ocean carriers often price a 40-foot high cube close to a standard 40-foot container, so a high cube can cost less per cubic meter.

Because the container is taller, check height limits for trucks, railcars, and bridges along the route before you book.

![Table comparing container CBM capacity: 40 foot is 58 CBM, 40 foot HC is 65 CBM, 45 foot HC is 75 CBM.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/7152cc8c2724cb427c1a52415a4b8f1a71abf54d-500x151.png?w=500&fm=jpg&q=75&fit=max)

Back to the [full glossary](https://www.flexport.com/glossary/).

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*This is a markdown version of [https://www.flexport.com/glossary/high-cube-container/](https://www.flexport.com/glossary/high-cube-container/) for AI/LLM consumption.*