Container Load Calculator
See how many cartons fit in a 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high cube container, and how many containers your order needs. Enter the carton size, and optionally the weight per carton, so heavy cargo is capped by payload as well as volume.
| Container | Cartons that fit | Limited by | Containers needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | - | - | - |
| 40ft Standard | - | - | - |
| 40ft High Cube | - | - | - |
Estimate only. Figures use practical loadable volume (20ft ~28 CBM, 40ft ~58 CBM, 40ft HC ~68 CBM) and max payload, and assume cartons stack without orientation constraints. Real loading depends on carton shape, stacking and pallet use. Need the per-carton CBM first? Use the CBM calculator.
Container capacities
| Container | Nominal volume | Loadable (practical) | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | ~33 CBM | ~28 CBM | ~28,000 kg |
| 40ft Standard | ~67 CBM | ~58 CBM | ~26,500 kg |
| 40ft High Cube | ~76 CBM | ~68 CBM | ~26,500 kg |
Frequently asked questions
How many CBM fit in a 20ft and a 40ft container?
A 20ft standard container holds about 33 CBM nominal but around 28 CBM in practice. A 40ft standard holds about 67 CBM nominal, around 58 CBM loadable, and a 40ft high cube about 76 CBM nominal, around 68 CBM loadable. Cartons never pack perfectly, so plan on the lower, practical figure.
How do I work out how many cartons fit in a container?
Divide the container loadable volume by the volume of one carton (its CBM). If the cargo is heavy, also divide the container payload by the carton weight and take the smaller of the two. This calculator does both and tells you which limit applies.
What is the maximum weight for a shipping container?
Payload is roughly 28,000 kg for a 20ft and about 26,500 kg for a 40ft or 40ft high cube, though the legal road limit in your country may be lower. Dense cargo often hits the weight limit before the volume limit, especially in a 20ft.
Pair with the CBM calculator, the landed cost calculator, and the Incoterms guide to plan a shipment end to end.