# Shipping Container Load Calculator (20ft, 40ft, 40ft HC)

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/shipping-container-load-calculator-20ft-40ft
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

Estimate how many cartons fit in a 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high cube container based on carton size, weight and container payload.

## Category

supply-chain

## Industry

Logistics

## Audience

- Logistics manager
- Export coordinator
- Warehouse manager
- Buyer

## Tool

**Kind:** calculator

**Inputs:**

#### Container type

**Key:** ctype

**Type:** select

**Default:** 2

**Options:**

##### 20ft standard

**Value:** 1

##### 40ft standard

**Value:** 2

##### 40ft high cube

**Value:** 3

**Help:** Typical internal dimensions are used; check your carrier's specification.

#### Carton length

**Key:** cl

**Type:** number

**Default:** 60

**Min:** 1

**Step:** 1

**Unit:** cm

#### Carton width

**Key:** cw

**Type:** number

**Default:** 40

**Min:** 1

**Step:** 1

**Unit:** cm

#### Carton height

**Key:** ch

**Type:** number

**Default:** 35

**Min:** 1

**Step:** 1

**Unit:** cm

#### Carton gross weight

**Key:** wt

**Type:** number

**Default:** 14

**Min:** 0.1

**Step:** 0.5

**Unit:** kg

#### Practical loading efficiency

**Key:** fill

**Type:** slider

**Default:** 92

**Min:** 60

**Max:** 100

**Step:** 1

**Unit:** %

**Help:** Allowance for dunnage, gaps, door clearance and uneven stacking.

**Outputs:**

#### Internal length

**Key:** len

**Expr:** if(eq(ctype,1),590,1203)

**Format:** number

**Description:** Centimetres, typical.

#### Internal width

**Key:** wid

**Expr:** 235

**Format:** number

#### Internal height

**Key:** hgt

**Expr:** if(eq(ctype,3),270,239)

**Format:** number

#### Typical payload limit (kg)

**Key:** payload

**Expr:** if(eq(ctype,1),28200,if(eq(ctype,2),26700,26500))

**Format:** number

#### Container internal volume (m3)

**Key:** vol

**Expr:** len * wid * hgt / 1000000

**Format:** decimal

#### Cartons per floor layer, orientation A

**Key:** lay_a

**Expr:** floor(len / cl) * floor(wid / cw)

**Format:** integer

#### Cartons per floor layer, orientation B

**Key:** lay_b

**Expr:** floor(len / cw) * floor(wid / cl)

**Format:** integer

#### Layers that fit

**Key:** layers

**Expr:** floor(hgt / ch)

**Format:** integer

#### Cartons by space (after efficiency)

**Key:** by_space

**Expr:** floor(max(lay_a, lay_b) * layers * fill / 100)

**Format:** integer

#### Cartons by weight limit

**Key:** by_wt

**Expr:** floor(payload / wt)

**Format:** integer

#### Cartons per container

**Key:** cartons

**Expr:** min(by_space, by_wt)

**Format:** integer

**Primary:** true

**Description:** The lower of the space limit and the weight limit.

#### Cargo weight (kg)

**Key:** cargo_wt

**Expr:** cartons * wt

**Format:** number

#### Volume utilization

**Key:** vol_util

**Expr:** cartons * cl * cw * ch / (vol * 1000000) * 100

**Format:** percent

**Primary:** true

**Chart:**

#### Cartons per container vs carton weight

**Type:** line

**X:** wt

**From:** 5

**To:** 40

**Steps:** 36

**Series:**

- cartons

**Disclaimer:** Dimensions and payload vary by container model and carrier. Floor-loaded cartons only; pallets, wheel arches and door clearance change the answer.

## Content

**Intro:** This container load calculator estimates how many cartons fit in a 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high cube container, using both space and weight limits. It is meant for quick quoting and planning before you finalise a load plan with your forwarder.

**Sections:**

#### How to use it

**Body:** Pick the container type, then enter your carton length, width, height and gross weight in centimetres and kilograms. The calculator tests two floor orientations, counts how many layers fit by height, applies a practical loading efficiency, and then caps the total at the container's typical payload. The result is whichever limit bites first. Heavy products such as fasteners or castings usually hit the weight limit long before space; light goods such as packaging or cables fill the space first.

**Bullets:**

- Use carton outside dimensions
- Use gross weight including packaging
- Lower efficiency for irregular cartons
- For palletised cargo, use the pallet as the carton

#### Container dimensions used

**Body:** Typical internal dimensions are about 5.90 by 2.35 by 2.39 metres for a 20ft container, 12.03 by 2.35 by 2.39 metres for a 40ft, and the same footprint at about 2.70 metres tall for a 40ft high cube. That is roughly 33, 67 and 76 cubic metres respectively. Maximum payload is usually in the 26 to 28 tonne range, though it depends on the specific container and often on road weight limits at origin or destination. Confirm with the shipping line.

#### Reading the result

**Body:** If cartons by weight is lower than cartons by space, you are paying for air-free freight and should consider a smaller container or filling the balance with lighter goods. If space is the limit and volume utilization is low, review carton size: a few centimetres off a dimension can add a full layer. The chart shows the weight cliff, where heavier cartons push the load from space-limited to weight-limited. Freight cost per carton is usually your best comparison between container sizes.

#### Common mistakes

**Body:** Planners often use inside carton dimensions, forget the door clearance, or ignore that the load must be braced. Heavy loads need correct weight distribution, with the centre of gravity near the middle, and many ports and trucking regulations limit total gross weight below the container's rating. For exports, the Verified Gross Mass rule under SOLAS requires the shipper to declare container weight before loading onto the ship. Record the final load plan in your ERP shipment or delivery so that packing lists and invoices match.

**Cta:** If you export regularly and want packing lists, weights and container plans generated from your ERP shipment data, Netray can build that with you.

**Faq:**

#### How many cubic metres are in a 20ft and 40ft container?

**Answer:** Roughly 33 cubic metres for a 20ft, 67 for a 40ft standard and 76 for a 40ft high cube, measured inside. Usable volume is lower after allowing for dunnage, gaps and the loading pattern.

#### What is the payload of a 40ft container?

**Answer:** A typical 40ft standard container has a payload around 26 to 27 tonnes. The exact figure is printed on the container door. Road and rail limits at origin and destination may restrict the real load below that.

#### Is a 40ft high cube worth the extra cost?

**Answer:** For light, bulky cargo, yes: the extra height gives about 13 percent more volume for a small price premium. For dense cargo that hits the weight limit first, the extra height adds nothing.

#### Does this work for palletised loads?

**Answer:** Yes, treat the pallet as the carton. Enter pallet length, width, loaded height and gross weight. Remember that standard 48 by 40 inch pallets fit fewer per container floor than EUR pallets in some arrangements.

## Search terms

shipping container load calculator, 20ft 40ft container loading calculator, how many boxes fit in a container, container cubic meter calculator, 40ft high cube capacity, container cartons calculator, container utilization calculator, container payload limit

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