Free tool · runs in your browser
Container Loading Calculator
Enter carton dimensions and weight, choose a container and see the best stacking orientation, how many cartons fit, cubic utilisation and whether volume or payload runs out first.
From carton dimensions to a container plan
Measure one packed carton in centimetres and weigh it. The calculator tries every axis alignment against the container internal dimensions, applies your loading efficiency to account for gaps and dunnage, then caps the load at the payload you enter.
The result is a planning estimate, not a loading diagram. Cartons that are slightly different, pallet footprints, bracing and mixed orientations all change the real count, so confirm the final plan with the loader.
Why the best orientation matters
A 50 × 40 × 30 cm carton can be placed three different ways relative to the container floor. One orientation may fit 11 cartons along the length and leave 29 cm unused; another may fit 10 but stack more layers. The calculator ranks the orientations by total cartons rather than by a single dimension.
Small changes in carton size can produce large changes in the count. A carton a few centimetres taller may lose a whole layer in a high cube, while a slightly narrower carton may gain a column. Test the actual packed carton, not the nominal size.
Volume is not the only limit
Dense cargo reaches the payload ceiling with the container only partly full. Road limits at origin and destination can cap the combined vehicle weight below the container rating, so the truck may bind before the box does. The calculator shows which limit produced the final count.
Check the container door too: the opening is smaller than the internal width and height. A carton that fits inside may still be difficult to load through the door, especially on high-cube boxes with a taller opening but the same width.
First-mile freight — all entries
Every entry links to its full reference page. The search box above filters this list.
Frequently asked questions
How many cartons fit in a 20ft container?
It depends on carton size. A 50 × 40 × 30 cm carton fits roughly 500–600 cartons in a 20ft container at typical loading efficiency, but the exact count depends on orientation, weight and packing. Enter your dimensions for the real figure.
Should I use internal or external carton dimensions?
Use the packed external dimensions. Internal dimensions understate the space taken on the container floor and can overstate the count significantly.
Why is the carton count lower than the container volume suggests?
Cartons do not tessellate perfectly. Dimension remainders along each axis, stacking gaps, dunnage and the payload limit all reduce the count below a simple volume division.
Does a 40HC always hold more cartons than a 40ft?
It adds height, so it helps tall or light cargo. Dense cargo may hit the payload limit before the extra height matters, and the higher door can help with tall cartons.
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