Container Load Calculator
How many boxes fit in a 20ft or 40ft container? Enter your box size and quantity — see the count, the container to book, and a 3D load plan. Free, no signup.
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Container load plan
Uses the packages above — no retyping. Every plan is checked box by box: nothing overlaps, nothing floats, weight and door size are respected.
Container sizes are the smallest published by Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, ONE and Evergreen, with 50 mm kept free at the door so it closes. Plans use your exact box sizes — leave extra room for bulging cartons. Weight is checked against the container rating unless you set a lower limit. Securing the cargo is the shipper's responsibility (IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code).
Tip: Always measure the outer dimensions of your packages, including any packaging materials. This ensures accurate shipping cost calculations.
How many fit — common boxes and pallets
| Box | 20ft Standard | 40ft Standard | 40ft High Cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carton 60 × 40 × 40 cm | 260 | 535 | 642 |
| Carton 50 × 40 × 30 cm | 448 | 938 | 1,072 |
| Carton 40 × 30 × 30 cm | 770 | 1,582 | 1,808 |
| EUR pallet 120 × 80 cm, 150 cm high, not stacked | 11 | 23 | 23 |
| Pallet 120 × 100 cm, 150 cm high, not stacked | 9 | 20 | 20 |
| US pallet 48 × 40 in, 60 in high, not stacked | 9 | 20 | 20 |
Upright boxes, calculated by the planner above with the container sizes below. Weight not included — enter it above to check the payload too.
Container inside sizes we use
| Container | Inside L × W × H (mm) | Door W × H (mm) | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | 5,896 × 2,350 × 2,390 | 2,338 × 2,274 | 28,180 kg |
| 40ft Standard | 12,029 × 2,350 × 2,385 | 2,340 × 2,274 | 26,480 kg |
| 40ft High Cube | 12,032 × 2,342 × 2,690 | 2,340 × 2,577 | 26,280 kg |
The smallest values published by Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, ONE and Evergreen (checked October 2026). Plans keep 50 mm free at the door. Road weight limits are often lower than the container payload — in the US typically about 17,200 kg for a 20ft and 20,000 kg for a 40ft (ACL guidelines).
How the plan is checked
- Every box is placed, not estimated — the count is what physically fits.
- No two boxes overlap, and every box stands fully on the floor or on boxes below it.
- Heavier boxes never go on top of lighter ones, and "do not stack" packages carry nothing.
- Each box must pass through the container door the way it is placed.
- The total weight stays within the container's payload, or the lower limit you set.
- The page warns when most of the weight sits toward one end or one side (IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many boxes fit in a 20ft container?
It depends on the box. For a common 60 × 40 × 40 cm export carton kept upright, 260 fit in a 20ft standard container, 535 in a 40ft and 642 in a 40ft High Cube. Enter your own box size above for an exact count.
Why is the count lower than container volume divided by box volume?
Boxes are rigid: the gaps left at the walls and ceiling cannot be filled with part of a box. The calculator places every box, so the count is what actually fits. For a 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton in a 20ft, volume alone suggests 342; 260 really fit (76%).
Does it check weight and the door size?
Yes. Each container is limited to its payload rating (you can set a lower limit for road weight), and a box that cannot pass the door opening — 2,274 mm high on standard containers, 2,577 mm on a High Cube — is reported instead of being placed.
Can boxes be laid on their side or stacked?
By default boxes stay upright ("this side up") and may only be turned around, and anything can be stacked. Tick "Can lie on its side" or untick "Boxes can go on top" for each package — pallets and fragile goods are usually not stacked.
Which container sizes does it use?
The smallest inside dimensions published by Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, ONE and Evergreen, with 50 mm kept free at the door so it closes. A plan that fits these fits the container you are given.
Need the volume and chargeable weight for air or courier too? Use the CBM calculator.