Container load calculator
Plan every container in 3D.
Enter your cartons, boxes or pallets and see exactly how they fit in a 20ft, 40ft or 40HQ container, with weight limits, stacking rules and a side-by-side size comparison. Free, no sign-up.
- 6 container types
- Mixed cargo & stacking rules
- Payload check
- Shareable 3D plans
1Your cargo
Dimensions are the outside size of one carton or pallet. “This side up” keeps the height vertical; “Fixed” keeps the exact orientation.
2Container details
3Compare container sizes
Click a row to switchWalls and lanes are tested in every allowed orientation, so the plan fills the gaps hand calculations leave behind.
Payload limits, “this side up”, fixed orientation and non-stackable goods are all respected in the plan.
Every calculation compares 20GP, 40GP, 40HQ, 45HQ and reefers, and highlights the best fit for your cargo.
Four steps to a loading plan
- Choose units and a container. Centimeters and kilograms, or inches and pounds, and the container you plan to book.
- Add your cargo. Length, width, height, gross weight of one unit and the quantity for each carton or pallet type.
- Set handling rules. “This side up”, “Fixed”, or untick “Stackable” for goods that can't carry weight.
- Calculate. See the containers you need, volume and weight used, and a step-by-step 3D loading sequence.
How the plan is calculated
The planner builds the load in walls across the container width and, as a second strategy, in lanes along its length. For each option it tests the allowed carton orientations and combines them to fill the width and height. Every carton must sit fully on the floor or on a stackable carton below, and a container stops being loaded when its payload is reached.
Several loading orders are tried and the plan that loads the most cargo into the fewest containers wins. It is a practical plan, not a guaranteed optimum: keep a margin when booking, especially above 90% utilization.
Standard container inside dimensions
| Container | Length | Width | Height | Volume | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' Standard (20GP) | 5.90 m | 2.35 m | 2.39 m | 33.1 m³ | 28,200 kg |
| 40' Standard (40GP) | 12.03 m | 2.35 m | 2.39 m | 67.6 m³ | 26,700 kg |
| 40' High Cube (40HQ) | 12.03 m | 2.35 m | 2.69 m | 76.0 m³ | 26,500 kg |
| 45' High Cube (45HQ) | 13.56 m | 2.35 m | 2.69 m | 85.7 m³ | 27,700 kg |
Container loading guides
Straight answers with figures from the same loading engine.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes fit in a 40ft container?
It depends on the box size. A 40ft high cube holds about 660 cartons of 60 × 40 × 40 cm and a 40ft standard about 550. Enter your own carton size above for an exact plan, or see the carton size table.
How many pallets fit in a 20ft or 40ft container?
A 20ft container fits 11 Euro pallets or 9 US pallets in one layer; a 40ft fits 23–24 Euro or 20 US pallets. See pallets per container.
What is the internal size of a 20ft container?
About 590 × 235 × 239 cm (33.1 m³) with a maximum payload near 28,200 kg. Exact figures vary by manufacturer; see container dimensions.
Why can't I fill 100% of the container volume?
Boxes rarely divide the container dimensions exactly, so gaps remain at the walls, ceiling and door. Uniform cartons typically reach 75–90% volume utilization; mixed or non-stackable cargo reaches less.
Does the calculator consider weight?
Yes. Each container has a typical maximum payload, and the planner stops loading a container once it is reached. Always confirm payload and road weight limits with your carrier.
Can I share or save the loading plan?
“Copy share link” creates a link that reopens the calculator with your cargo list. “Print / PDF” prints the summary and the 3D view.