Container loading calculator

Cartons per container, containers needed, and how to stack them

Example: Length: 60 cm, Width: 40 cm, Height: 50 cm, Gross weight per carton: 18 kg, Cartons: 450, Per container (40HQ): 500.

Cartons per container = ⌊length ÷ a⌋ × ⌊width ÷ b⌋ × ⌊height ÷ c⌋ for the orientation that fits the most, capped by the payload. A 40HQ is about 1203 × 235 × 269.5 cm inside.

Sources

Source: Container reference values (compiled by this site)

Sample data

Carton Length × Width × Height

Gross weight per carton

Cartons

Fill the container (no carton count)

Orientation

This side up only

Unticked, cartons may lie on their side when that fits more.

Max layers (optional)

Fill it in when the goods can’t take weight or the cartons aren’t strong; it can lower the cartons per container.

Container

Result

This calculator needs JavaScript to run. The formula and the worked example below work without it.

Fewest containers

40HQ × 1

500 cartons per container · 450 in this shipment

40HQFewest containersLimited by volumeInside 1,203.1 × 235.0 × 269.5 cm · door 234.0 × 257.7 cm · payload 26,520–28,800 kg

Per container: 500
Containers: 1
Volume used: 71%
Weight used: 31%

Volume71%

Weight31%

Loading plan shown below

45HQFewest containersLimited by volumeInside 1,355.6 × 235.2 × 269.7 cm · door 234.0 × 258.5 cm · payload 27,600–27,850 kg

Per container: 550
Containers: 1
Volume used: 63%
Weight used: 29%

Volume63%

Weight29%

40GPLimited by volumeInside 1,203.1 × 235.0 × 239.0 cm · door 234.0 × 227.4 cm · payload 26,630–28,860 kg

Per container: 400
Containers: 2
Volume used: 40%
Weight used: 15%

Volume40%

Weight15%

20GPLimited by volumeInside 589.6 × 235.0 × 239.0 cm · door 234.0 × 227.4 cm · payload 21,740–28,330 kg

Per container: 180
Containers: 3
Volume used: 54%
Weight used: 12%

Volume54%

Weight12%

Loading plan · 40HQ20 × 5 × 5

20 rows × 5 across × 5 high, carton 60 cm along the length, 40 cm across, 50 cm high. Spare: length 3 cm, width 35 cm, height 19 cm.

Top view (far end on the left, door on the right)

Side view

Full rowPart rowEmpty

ReferenceContainer sizes and maximum payloads: typical reference values (compiled 2026-09-24); your carrier's figures prevailData sources

Orientation (40HQ)the allowed orientation that fits the most60 cm along, 40 cm across, 50 cm high
Per container (40HQ)⌊length ÷ a⌋ × ⌊width ÷ b⌋ × ⌊height ÷ c⌋, with the carton’s width across and height through the door⌊1,203.1 ÷ 60⌋ × ⌊235.0 ÷ 40⌋ × ⌊269.5 ÷ 50⌋ = 20 × 5 × 5 = 500
Weight limit (40HQ)⌊payload, lowest in the range ÷ carton weight⌋⌊26,520 ÷ 18⌋ = 1,473 (not binding)
Containers (40HQ)⌈cartons ÷ per container⌉⌈450 ÷ 500⌉ = 1
Use (40HQ)cargo volume ÷ (container volume × containers); cargo weight ÷ (lowest payload × containers)54.000 m³ ÷ (76.195 m³ × 1) = 71%, 8,100 kg ÷ (26,520 kg × 1) = 31%

Formula

Per container = ⌊length ÷ a⌋ × ⌊width ÷ b⌋ × ⌊height ÷ c⌋a, b, c: the carton’s sides in the orientation that fits the most and passes the door, then capped by the payload

Containers = ⌈cartons ÷ per container⌉

Volume used = cargo volume ÷ (container volume × containers)

Weight used = cargo weight ÷ (max payload × containers)the lowest payload in the type’s range

Not covered

One carton size only: mixed sizes are not supported yet, so work out each size separately.

Worked example

Carton 60 × 40 × 50 cm, 18 kg, 450 cartons, any orientation (example data):

Container	Inside (cm)	Per container	Containers	Volume used	Weight used
40HQ	1,203.1 × 235.0 × 269.5	500	1	71%	31%
45HQ	1,355.6 × 235.2 × 269.7	550	1	63%	29%
40GP	1,203.1 × 235.0 × 239.0	400	2	40%	15%
20GP	589.6 × 235.0 × 239.0	180	3	54%	12%

40HQ: 20 × 5 × 5 (60 cm along the length, 40 cm across, 50 cm high), Limited by volume.

FAQ

What does Container loading calculator give for an example?

Example: Length: 60 cm, Width: 40 cm, Height: 50 cm, Gross weight per carton: 18 kg, Cartons: 450, Per container (40HQ): 500.

Why can two containers both show “Fewest containers”?

Because they need the same number of containers. The cards are then ordered by how full the container is. The tag is about the count, not a recommendation.

Does it handle mixed carton sizes?

Not yet. Work out each size separately for now.

When should I tick “This side up only”?

When the carton is marked this side up, or the goods must not lie on their side. Only upright orientations are then counted, which can fit fewer cartons. Turning a carton upside down never changes the count, so there is no separate option.

Results are for reference only. The figures confirmed by the tax authorities, banks and carriers prevail.Disclaimer

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