Container Loading Calculator

Calculate how many cartons fit into a 20ft, 40ft or 40HC container and see the resulting utilization percentage. Optimize packing before you book the container.

Open 40ft shipping container loaded with stacked cartons — A 40ft container packed with stacked cartons — maximum cartons and utilisation percentage.

Cargo dimensions

Enter one carton — we'll model the full container.

Carton length (cm)

Carton width (cm)

Carton height (cm)

Carton weight (kg)

Container

Palletized?

Max stack height (cm) — optional

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High confidence·Last updated: November 2026·Market averages — not a firm quotation.

Maximum cartons

966

Volume/carton 0.0600 CBM

Container utilization

99.9%

57.96 / 58 CBM

Estimated total weight

11,592 kg

Limit 26,500 kg

Remaining space

0.04 CBM

Limited by volume

Within safe range

Recommended: 40HQ

DocMakTrade market recommendation

You're using 100% of the 40FT container. A 40HQ is a better fit for this cargo profile.

Need professional assistance?

Get a firm quotation from DocMakTrade's GCC trade desk within one business day.

Continue your analysis

Related DocMakTrade modules that complete the trade decision.

cbm calculator

pallet calculator

freight cost estimator

How many pallets fit in a container?

Single-tier floor-loaded counts for the standard pallet footprints in GCC import traffic. Counts assume pallets loaded flat with no overhang and normal 25–50 mm stowage clearance; double-stacking doubles the count only when cargo height and payload allow.

Pallets per container, single tier — derived from container internal floor dimensions and pallet footprints.
Pallet type	Footprint	20ft	40ft	40ft HC
Euro pallet (EPAL)	1.20 × 0.80 m	11	23–24	23–24
ISO / industrial pallet	1.20 × 1.00 m	10	20–21	20–21
GMA pallet (North America)	1.219 × 1.016 m	10	20–21	20–21
Half / display pallet	0.80 × 0.60 m	22	46–48	46–48

Container internal dimensions used for the counts above.
Container	Internal floor	Internal height
20ft standard	5.90 × 2.35 m	2.39 m
40ft standard	12.03 × 2.35 m	2.39 m
40ft high cube	12.03 × 2.35 m	2.69 m

Internal dimensions vary slightly by container owner and build year — always confirm against the carrier's specification for the exact unit released to you.

Guide preview

How the Container Loading Calculator works

Maximum cartons is a geometric fit, then constrained by container payload weight.
20ft, 40ft and 40HC each have different internal dimensions and cube.
Utilisation percentage shows how much paid space you are actually using.
Palletised loading trades some cube for handling speed and cargo protection.

Example: Cartons of 40 × 30 × 25 cm into a 40ft: check the loose-load count, then compare it against the palletised count.

Read the full Container Loading Calculator guide — steps, worked examples and FAQs