TEU and FEU: meaning

TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) is the standard unit for counting container capacity and traffic: one 20-foot container is 1 TEU. FEU (forty-foot equivalent unit) is one 40-foot container, equal to 2 TEU.

At a glance

20 ft container1 TEU

40 ft container (standard or high cube)2 TEU, or 1 FEU

Used forShip and terminal capacity, port statistics and some freight rates and indices

Not a size or weightTEU is a counting unit; the box dimensions are set by ISO standards and the weight limit by the container's CSC plate

How TEU is used

Shipping lines state ship capacity in TEU, ports report container traffic in TEU, and some freight rates and indices are quoted per TEU or per FEU. Because it is a counting unit, a 40-foot high cube container also counts as 2 TEU even though it is taller than a standard 40-foot box.

What a TEU does not tell you

A TEU says nothing about weight or about the volume of cargo inside. Each container has a maximum gross mass on its CSC safety approval plate, and how much cargo fits depends on the packages and how they are stowed. For a shipment, plan with cubic metres, weight and the actual container type, not with TEU.

Container sizes and codes

Each container carries an ISO 6346 size and type code, such as 22G1 for a 20-foot general purpose box and 45G1 for a 40-foot high cube. Use the container dimension pages and the container load calculator on this site to plan a shipment.

Related terms

Sources

Checked against official sources: 2026-10. General definitions for quick reference, not legal or customs advice — exact meanings can vary by country and contract. Where a related free tool or guide exists, the term links to it.

Guides on this topic

Container ISO size and type codes: 22G1, 42G1, 45G1, 45R1 explainedWhat the 4-character ISO 6346 size and type code on a container means: 22G1, 42G1, 45G1, 22R1, 45R1, 22U1, 22T1, L5G1, plus how the container…FCL vs LCL: when to book a full container or share oneFCL vs LCL sea freight explained: how LCL consolidation at a CFS works, W/M pricing (1 CBM = 1 tonne), the 13–17 CBM breakeven, extra transit…VGM (Verified Gross Mass) Explained: SOLAS Rules, Method 1 vs Method 2 and How to Calculate ItWhat the VGM is, who must declare it under SOLAS chapter VI regulation 2, how Method 1 and Method 2 work, a calculation example, signatures and…

Common questions

Is a 40-foot container 2 TEU?

Yes. A 40-foot container, standard or high cube, is counted as 2 TEU, or 1 FEU.

What does a ship's capacity in TEU mean?

It is the nominal number of twenty-foot equivalent containers the ship can carry. The number of loaded containers it can actually carry is usually lower, because weight, stability and the mix of container sizes limit it.

Are freight rates quoted per TEU?

Some are, especially in market indices and contracts, but many carriers and forwarders quote per container (20 ft or 40 ft) plus surcharges. Check the unit in each quote.

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