Container Loading Calculator
Filling a Container to Its Real Limit
A shipping container's rated payload and its physical volume rarely run out at the same time. Dense goods hit the weight ceiling while the container still has visible empty space; bulky, lightweight goods fill the container long before the weight limit matters. This calculator checks both constraints against the container's actual internal dimensions and payload rating, then reports which one is limiting your load.
The Formula
Layers = floor(Container H ÷ Box H)
Boxes by Space = Boxes per Layer × Layers
Boxes by Weight = floor(Max Payload ÷ Box Weight)
Final Count = min(Boxes by Space, Boxes by Weight)
As with pallet loading, the calculator checks the box footprint in both orientations and uses whichever packs more boxes per layer.
Where This Calculation Matters
- Ocean freight planning — determining whether a shipment is a full container load (FCL) or needs to be consolidated with other cargo.
- Choosing between container types — a 40ft high cube's extra height can add a full layer of boxes compared to a standard 40ft container, sometimes justifying its higher cost.
- Freight cost per unit — maximizing boxes per container directly lowers the shipping cost allocated to each unit.
- Export documentation — container load calculations feed into packing lists and customs paperwork before a shipment departs.
| Container | Internal size (L × W × H, cm) | Max payload |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | 589.8 × 235.2 × 239.3 | 28,180 kg |
| 40ft Standard | 1203.2 × 235.2 × 239.3 | 28,600 kg |
| 40ft High Cube | 1203.2 × 235.2 × 269.8 | 28,560 kg |
Example: 60×40×40 cm boxes at 15 kg each in a 20ft standard container — 45 boxes per layer, 5 layers, 225 boxes by space versus 1,878 by weight, so the load is space-limited at 225 boxes.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the container type — 20ft standard, 40ft standard, or 40ft high cube.
- Enter the box length, width, and height in centimeters.
- Enter the box weight in kilograms.
- Select Calculate to get the total box count and whether space or weight is the limiting factor.
Related Calculations
Work out the equivalent problem at pallet scale with the Pallet Load Calculator, or check total warehouse capacity once goods arrive with the Warehouse Storage Calculator.