Shipping & Freight Calculators
Container Loading Calculator
Estimate how many cartons fit in a 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft High Cube shipping container. Enter your box dimensions and quantity — the calculator returns the carton count, CBM utilisation, and number of containers needed.
Last updated: June 2026
Formula Used
Max cartons = floor(container_usable ÷ carton_volume)
Practical = floor(max × efficiency)
Utilisation % = (cartons × carton_vol) ÷ usable × 100
Typical efficiency: 70–80% for uniform cartons; 50–65% for mixed/fragile goods.
Example Calculation
40×30×25 cm cartons in a 40ft container (58 CBM, 75% efficiency): 0.030 m³/carton · Max: 1,933 · Practical: 1,450 cartons · Utilisation: 75%.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select container type (20ft, 40ft, or 40HC).
- Enter carton dimensions in cm or inches.
- Enter total cartons to ship.
- Adjust packing efficiency slider (default 75%).
- Read cartons per container, total containers, and CBM utilisation.
Standard Container Dimensions
| Container | Internal L×W×H (m) | Gross (m³) | Usable CBM | Max cargo wt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard (TEU) | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 33.1 | 25–28 | 21,700 kg |
| 40ft Standard (FEU) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 67.5 | 55–58 | 26,500 kg |
| 40ft High Cube (HC) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 | 76.0 | 63–67 | 26,460 kg |
Notes & Limitations
Assumes uniform rectangular cartons. Does not account for weight limits, pallet patterns, or door aperture restrictions. See also: Pallet Calculator · Shipping Volume Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many boxes fit in a 20ft shipping container?
A 20ft container has about 25–28 CBM usable volume. With average cartons of 0.03–0.05 m³, you can typically fit 500–900 cartons at 75% efficiency. The exact number depends on your carton dimensions.
What is the difference between a 20ft and 40ft container?
A 40ft container holds approximately twice the volume of a 20ft (55–58 CBM vs. 25–28 CBM usable). A 40ft costs 1.5–1.8× the price of a 20ft, making it more cost-efficient per CBM.
What is a 40ft High Cube container?
A 40ft High Cube (HC) is 9'6" (2.69m) tall vs. the standard 8'6" (2.39m), giving ~76 CBM gross volume. Ideal for light, bulky goods (furniture, mattresses, appliances).
What packing efficiency should I use?
For uniform rectangular cartons, use 75–80%. For mixed sizes or fragile items needing extra spacing, use 60–70%. Professional palletized loads can achieve 80–85%.
How do I know if I need FCL or LCL shipping?
FCL is cost-effective when your shipment fills 15+ CBM (20ft) or 30+ CBM (40ft). Below these volumes, LCL (shared container) is typically cheaper.
Does the container weight limit matter more than volume?
For most manufactured goods, you will hit the volume limit before the weight limit. For dense goods (machinery, metal parts, ceramics), check the weight limit carefully. A 20ft maxes at ~21,700 kg cargo weight.