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Container Loading Calculator

Work out container loading instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Container Loading Calculator

Carton count is the internal dimensions divided by the carton dimensions, floored in each axis. Rotating the carton often improves the fit substantially, so trying both orientations is worthwhile — a few millimetres can add a whole row.

Formula

Container loading

cartons = floor(L/cl) x floor(W/cw) x floor(H/ch) using internal container dimensions

Worked example

With the default values below, Container Loading Calculator returns Cartons that fit of 800. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Containerone of 20 ft standard, 40 ft standard, 40 ft high cube, 45 ft high cube
40 ft high cube
Carton length
600 mm
Carton width
400 mm
Carton height
300 mm

Results

Cartons that fit
800 cartons
Volume utilisation
75.44% %
Container volume
76.35 m³
Layers high
8 layers

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Container loading
  3. 3Cartons that fit= 800 cartons
  4. 4Volume utilisation= 75.44 %
  5. 5Container volume= 76.35 m³
  6. 6Layers high= 8 layers

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does orientation matter so much?

Flooring the division discards the remainder in each axis. A carton 5 mm narrower might fit six across instead of five, adding 20% capacity.

Is a high cube worth the premium?

It adds about 13% volume for a small freight premium, so for volume-limited cargo it is almost always the cheaper option per cubic metre.

Related Calculators

Container Loading Calculator – Calculate Cartons that fit