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How many cartons fit in a container?
Enter one carton size and pick a container, trailer or truck. You get how many cartons fit, the layers and the fill rate, capped by the payload.
Your cargo
Results
Cartons that fit
240 cartons
48 on the floor × 5 layers
Total weight
2,880 kg
Payload 28,200 kg
Volume used
69.6 %
Geometric maximum for one carton size. Real loads lose some space to doors, pallets, dunnage and packing tolerance, so plan with headroom.
Your cargo is copied into the planner, which arranges every piece in 3D.
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How it is calculated
The number of cartons in a container depends on how the carton sizes divide into the inside dimensions, not only on the volume. The calculator tries each allowed orientation, and splits the floor into two blocks when that fits more.
Formula
- layers = container height ÷ carton height, rounded down
- cartons on the floor = best pattern of length and width
- cartons = floor × layers, capped at payload ÷ carton weight
- Inside dimensions used: 20ft 589 × 235 × 239 cm, 40ft 1,203 × 235 × 239 cm, 40ft High Cube 1,203 × 235 × 269 cm.
- The result assumes one carton size that stacks to the roof. For mixed sizes, stacking limits or pallets, use the 3D planner.
Worked example
- Cartons of 60 × 40 × 40 cm in a 20ft container, this side up.
- Height: 239 ÷ 40 gives 5 layers.
- Floor: one straight pattern fits 9 × 5 = 45 cartons. Nine columns lengthwise plus one column crosswise fit 48.
- 48 on the floor × 5 layers = 240 cartons, which uses about 70 % of the volume.
Questions and answers
How many cartons fit in a 20ft container?
It depends on the carton. A 20ft container has about 33 m³ inside, and in practice about 25–28 m³ of it can be filled. Enter your carton size above for the exact count.
Why not just divide the container volume by the carton volume?
Because cartons cannot be cut to fill the gaps. The dimensions have to divide into the container, so volume division overstates the count.
Should I load cartons on pallets?
Loose cartons use the space better, while pallets are faster to load and unload. Use the pallet fit calculator to compare, or the planner to build cartons onto pallets.
What if I have several carton sizes?
This calculator handles one size. The 3D planner takes a full packing list with different sizes, stacking rules and weights.
Why does weight limit the count?
Heavy cartons can reach the container payload before the space is full. Enter the carton weight to see which limit comes first.
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