Container Loading Calculator
Estimate how many cartons or pallets fit inside common shipping containers and calculate space utilization.
Cargo
0 = fill the container
Container
12032 × 2352 × 2393 mm internal · max payload 26,700 kg
Result
500 cartons
100 units per floor × 5 layers
Units per floor
100
Vertical layers
5
Max by dimensions
500
Max by weight
1,780
Total cargo weight
7,500.0kg
Floor utilization
84.8%
Volume utilization
70.9%
Unused volume
19.7m³
Limiting factor
Dimensions
20 × 5 = 100 units per floor
5 layers of 400 mm inside 2393 mm internal height
How the Container Loading Calculator Works
The calculator fits the cargo footprint onto the container floor in both horizontal orientations and keeps the better of the two, rather than simply dividing container volume by cargo volume. Volume division overstates capacity because it ignores the whole units that actually have to fit side by side.
Units per floor and layers
Units along the container length are the internal length divided by the placed cargo length, rounded down, and the same is done across the width. Multiplying those gives units per floor. When stacking is allowed, the internal height divided by the cargo height gives the number of vertical layers; otherwise a single tier is assumed.
Weight and the limiting factor
The quantity allowed by weight is the maximum container payload divided by the weight per unit. The final quantity is the lowest of the dimension limit, the weight limit and any quantity you actually have to ship, and the limiting factor tells you which one applied.
Container presets
Presets cover 20 ft standard, 40 ft standard and 40 ft high cube using widely quoted nominal internal dimensions and payloads. Actual figures vary by manufacturer, container age and carrier, so use the custom option whenever you have the exact specification for the equipment being booked.
This is an estimation tool. Real container loading depends on cargo stability, load distribution, door dimensions, packaging strength, securing requirements and applicable transport rules.
Related Pages
- How Many Pallets Fit in a 40ft Container? — pallet-specific guide with calculator
- Pallet Calculator — work out the loaded pallet first
- Euro Pallet Dimensions
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many pallets fit in a 20 ft container?
- For EUR pallets loaded in a single tier, a 20 ft container typically takes around 11 pallets depending on orientation and clearances. Enter your own pallet dimensions above, since loaded pallet height and weight often reduce the practical figure.
- How many pallets fit in a 40 ft container?
- A 40 ft standard container typically takes roughly 23 to 25 EUR pallets in one tier, subject to orientation, clearances and cargo weight. Use the calculator with your actual pallet size and loaded height for a specific answer.
- Are internal container dimensions standardized?
- Internal dimensions vary slightly between manufacturers and container ages. The presets use widely quoted nominal internal dimensions; use the custom option when you have exact figures from your carrier.
- Does the calculator consider stacking?
- Yes. When stacking is allowed, the number of vertical layers is the internal container height divided by the cargo height, rounded down. Disable stacking for cargo that must travel in a single tier.
- Why is the weight limit sometimes the limiting factor?
- Dense cargo reaches the maximum container payload long before the volume is filled. The calculator reports the quantity allowed by dimensions, the quantity allowed by payload and which of the two applies.
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