How many boxes fit in a container?

Enter your carton size and weight. The calculator tries every allowed orientation, adds a turned section at the end when it helps, and checks the weight limit.

Loading cartons well

Plan for less than the maximum. The result is a theoretical best for perfectly regular cartons. Real loads lose space to bulging cartons, dunnage and securing, so leave a margin.

Heavy at the bottom, weight centred. Keep the load evenly spread along the floor and secure it so it can't shift; the CTU Code sets out good practice.

Palletised? Use the pallet loading calculator instead. To estimate the volume first, the CBM calculator helps, and the FCL vs LCL calculator shows whether a full container pays.

Container sizes used: 20′ GP 5.89 × 2.35 × 2.39 m, 40′ GP 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m, 40′ HC 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m (internal, typical). Actual boxes vary slightly by carrier and age.

Plan my container load

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate how many boxes fit in a container?

Divide the container's internal length, width and height by the carton's dimensions in the chosen orientation, round each down, and multiply. Try every allowed orientation, and check the total weight against the container's maximum payload.

How much space is lost when loading cartons?

Even with a good pattern, gaps at the walls and roof mean you rarely fill 100% of the internal volume. Many shippers plan for about 80 to 90%, less if cartons cannot be turned or stacked.

What does 'this side up' change?

Cartons that must stay upright can only be turned on the floor, not tipped on their side, so fewer arrangements are possible and capacity is often lower.

Reference: IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code).

Learn more

Guides on this topic

OCEAN FREIGHT

Packing a Container Safely: The CTU Code, Securing and Container Rain

How to plan, pack and secure a container under the IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code, limit condensation damage and meet ISPM 15 rules for wooden packaging.

COMPLIANCE

Verified Gross Mass (VGM): A Practical Guide to the SOLAS Rule

Why every packed container needs a verified weight before loading, how Methods 1 and 2 work, who is responsible, and the mistakes that lead to rolled cargo.

OCEAN FREIGHT

FCL vs LCL: How to Choose the Right Ocean Freight Option

Revenue tonnes, CFS charges, cube utilisation and dwell time: a practical framework for deciding between full and shared container loads.

Partner programme

Know businesses that import or export?

Refer them to Apex Ocean Lines. We quote, book and manage the freight, and you earn commission on the shipments they move with us. Open to referral partners, sales agents and overseas forwarders.

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Theoretical planning figure for regular cartons. Real loads need margins for dunnage and securing; follow the CTU Code and your carrier's limits. Legal disclaimer With your permission we keep anonymous, cookieless usage statistics for our tools: Privacy.