Container Loading Calculator: Cartons per Box
Enter one carton's size and weight to see how many fit in each container type, what limits the load, and how full the container is.
Cartons per container
600
Limited by: space
Rows (L × W × H)
20 × 5 × 6
Space used
75.4%
Cargo weight
10,800kg
Max payload: 26,580 kg
Neat rows of one orientation, the way most loads are stacked. A load plan that mixes orientations can sometimes fit a few more; leave 5 to 10% for pallets, dunnage and the door gap.
| Container | Cartons | Limited by | Space used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standard | 225 | space | 65.1 % |
| 40 ft standard | 500 | space | 70.9 % |
| 40 ft high cube | 600 | space | 75.4 % |
| 45 ft high cube | 660 | space | 73.7 % |
| 20 ft reefer | 225 | space | 76.4 % |
| 40 ft high cube reefer | 570 | space | 80.9 % |
How many cartons fit in a container?
Before you book a container, you need to know how many cartons it holds. This calculator stacks your carton in neat rows inside each container type, checks the payload limit, and shows how much space is used, so you can pick a 20 ft, a 40 ft or a high cube.
How many cartons fit in a container?
Divide each inside dimension of the container by the carton size and round down, then multiply the three. A 40 ft high cube (12.03 × 2.35 × 2.70 m inside) takes a 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton 20 × 5 × 6 = 600 times in neat rows, using about 75% of the space.
Space or weight: which limits?
Heavy goods such as tiles, paper or metal fill the payload before the space. A 20 ft container usually carries about 25 to 28 tonnes of cargo, and road limits in your country may allow less. Light goods fill the space first.
Typical inside sizes
| Container | Inside L × W × H (m) | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standard | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 33 m³ |
| 40 ft standard | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 67 m³ |
| 40 ft high cube | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.70 | 76 m³ |
Full specs are on the shipping container dimensions page; for pallets, use the pallet calculator first, then load the pallets.
Copy the result, or save it as a PDF to attach to an email or a purchase file. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Features
- 20 ft, 40 ft, 40 HC, 45 HC, reefers
- Cartons by space and by weight
- Keep upright option
- Rows per direction
- All containers compared
- Copy or PDF
Frequently asked questions
How many cartons fit in a 40 ft container?
It depends on the carton. Enter its size here; for a 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton a 40 ft high cube holds about 600.
Why do load plans fit more than this?
Professional plans mix orientations to use leftover gaps. This calculator gives the simple, loadable answer in one orientation.
Should I leave space in the container?
Leave about 5 to 10% for pallets, dunnage, airbags and the door gap, and stack heavy cartons at the bottom.
Is the calculator free?
Yes. No sign up. It runs in your browser, and you can copy the result or save it as a PDF.