Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit
A twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) is a standard measure of container capacity equal to one 20-foot container, so a 40-foot container is 2 TEU.
Why it matters for ecommerce brands
TEU is the unit ocean carriers, ports, and forwarders use for capacity and volume, so knowing it helps you compare quotes and plan shipments. A 20-foot container is 1 TEU and a 40-foot is 2 TEU, but a 40-foot usually costs far less than two 20-footers. For example, if a 20-foot costs $2,200 and a 40-foot costs $2,800, a brand shipping 50 cubic meters pays $2,800 for one 40-foot instead of $4,400 for two 20-footers, saving $1,600. Ask for quotes on both sizes before booking.
Origin
The TEU unit grew out of the ISO container standards of the late 1960s, which fixed 20- and 40-foot lengths so ship and port capacity could be counted in one unit.
Common questions
- How many TEUs is a 40-foot container?
- A 40-foot container equals 2 TEUs, and a 40-foot high cube also counts as 2 TEUs even though it has more height. TEU is a unit of capacity measurement, not a container type.
- How many cubic meters is one TEU?
- A standard 20-foot container holds about 33 cubic meters, though usable space is lower once cartons are stacked. A 40-foot holds about 67 cubic meters and a 40-foot high cube about 76.
- What is the difference between TEU and FEU?
- TEU is a twenty-foot equivalent unit and FEU is a forty-foot equivalent unit, so 1 FEU equals 2 TEU. Ocean rates are often quoted per FEU, while port volumes are reported in TEU.