Your carton
Outside size of one carton, as packed.
Gross weight, packed. Leave empty to check space only.
Container
Your order (optional)
We work out how many containers you need.
In one 20 ft standard
255 cartons
5 layers of 51 cartons
With room for loading
Cartons stand upright: 60 cm along the container, 40 cm across, 40 cm high.
Space used
74%
24.48 m³ of 33.2 m³
Weight used
11%
3,060 kg of about 28,200 kg
From above (one layer)
From the side
One carton: 0.096 m³
All container types
| Container | Cartons | Space | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 255 | 74% | 11% | |
| 530 | 75% | 24% | |
| 636 | 80% | 29% | |
| 726 | 81% | 34% | |
| 245 | 87% | 11% | |
| 624 | 92% | 26% |
Typical figures. Tap a container to see its loading plan.
Work out your export priceHow we count
- Every layer is laid the same way. A layer may mix two turns of the carton, one block lengthwise and the rest turned, when that fits more.
- With “Keep cartons upright” ticked, cartons only turn on the floor. Untick it and we also try them on each side and pick the best.
- We count cartons by space, then by the container's weight limit, and show whichever is lower.
- A carton taller than the door opening, as it stands, cannot be loaded even if it fits inside.
- Reefers are counted only up to the red load line, dry containers up to the roof.
Container sizes we use
Typical inside sizes, door openings and payloads. Boxes differ a little by shipping line and age, so check your booking or the door plate for exact figures.
| Container | Inside (L × W × H) | Door (W × H) | Volume | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standard | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 33.2 m³ | 28,200 kg |
| 40 ft standard | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 67.7 m³ | 26,700 kg |
| 40 ft High Cube | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.70 m | 2.34 × 2.58 m | 76.4 m³ | 26,500 kg |
| 45 ft High Cube | 13.56 × 2.35 × 2.70 m | 2.34 × 2.58 m | 86.0 m³ | 25,600 kg |
| 20 ft reefer | 5.46 × 2.29 × 2.27 mLoad line at 2.16 m | 2.29 × 2.26 m | 27.0 m³ | 27,400 kg |
| 40 ft High Cube reefer | 11.60 × 2.29 × 2.56 mLoad line at 2.44 m | 2.29 × 2.42 m | 64.9 m³ | 29,000 kg |
Payload is the most cargo the box itself may carry; road rules on the way to the port can allow less. Ask your transporter for heavy loads.
Questions about container loading
How many cartons fit in a 20 ft container?
It depends on the carton size. A 20 ft standard container is about 5.90 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high inside (about 33 m³). For example, 255 cartons of 60 × 40 × 40 cm fit standing upright, with room for loading. Enter your own carton above to get your number.
How many cartons fit in a 40 ft container?
A 40 ft standard is about 12.03 m long inside, with the same width and height as a 20 ft, so roughly twice as many cartons fit by space. Heavy cartons can reach the weight limit first: a 40 ft carries about the same weight as a 20 ft.
What is the difference between a 40 ft and a 40 ft High Cube?
A High Cube is about 30 cm taller inside (2.70 m against 2.39 m), giving about 76 m³ instead of 68 m³. For light, bulky goods that often means one more layer of cartons for little extra freight.
What is CBM?
CBM is cubic metres: length × width × height in metres. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton is 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.4 = 0.096 CBM. Shared-container (LCL) freight is usually charged per CBM.
When should I use LCL instead of a full container?
As a rough guide, below about 15 CBM sharing a container (LCL) usually costs less; above that a full container (FCL) is often cheaper and faster. Ask your forwarder for both prices on your route.
Why can't I fill a container to 100%?
Cartons are rectangles that rarely divide the inside length, width and height exactly, so some space is always left. Cartons also bulge, and the last row has to clear the door frame, which is why the calculator keeps a little room for loading.
What is the load line in a reefer container?
A reefer blows cold air under the cargo and draws it back over the top. Cargo must stay below the red load line marked inside, or the air cannot circulate and the goods may spoil. The calculator counts only up to that line.
How much weight can a container carry?
Typically about 26 to 29 tonnes of cargo, depending on the box. The exact maximum payload is on the container's door plate. Road limits on the way to the port can be lower, so check with your transporter for heavy cargo.
Figures are estimates for planning, based on typical container sizes. Real loading depends on the box, the carton's strength and how it is loaded; confirm with your forwarder before booking.