Container Loading
Free online container loading calculator. Find out how many boxes or packages fit in a shipping container with volume utilization, layers, and stacking breakdown.
Container internal dimensions: 5.9m (L) × 2.35m (W) × 2.39m (H)
About This Calculator
The Container Loading Calculator helps logistics professionals, warehouse managers, e-commerce sellers, and anyone shipping goods determine the optimal number of packages that fit inside a shipping container. By comparing container dimensions against your package size, you can plan shipments efficiently, reduce wasted space, and control shipping costs.
The calculator supports standard container sizes including 10ft, 20ft, 40ft, High Cube, and Pallet Wide containers with their standard internal dimensions. For non-standard containers, select the Custom option and enter your own length, width, and height. The calculation uses a straightforward stacking model: each container dimension is divided by the corresponding package dimension (using floor division) to determine how many packages fit along each axis. The total number of packages is the product of these three values. Container volume is calculated as length × width × height, and space utilization shows the percentage of available cubic capacity actually filled.
Regional Notes
Global: Container dimensions follow ISO standard specifications used worldwide for intermodal freight transport. Package dimensions can be entered in meters, centimeters, or any consistent unit — just ensure all three package dimensions use the same unit. The calculator works for any rectangular package shape and any standard or custom container size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate how many boxes fit in a shipping container?
Select your container type (Standard 10ft, 20ft, 40ft, High Cube, or Pallet Wide), enter your package dimensions in meters, and click Calculate. The tool divides each container dimension by the corresponding package dimension (floor division) and multiplies the results to give the total number of packages that fit in one layer and across all layers.
What are the internal dimensions of a standard 20ft shipping container?
A standard 20ft shipping container has internal dimensions of approximately 5.90 m (length) × 2.35 m (width) × 2.39 m (height). A High Cube 20ft container has the same length and width but a height of 2.69 m.
How is container space utilization calculated?
Space utilization is calculated by dividing the total volume occupied by all packages by the container's internal volume, then multiplying by 100. The formula is: (Total Packages × Package Volume) / Container Volume × 100. This shows what percentage of the container's cubic capacity is actually used.
Can I use custom container dimensions?
Yes, select the 'Custom' option from the container type dropdown to enter your own container length, width, and height in meters. This is useful for non-standard shipping containers, storage units, truck beds, or any rectangular space you need to fill.
Does the calculator account for package orientation?
This calculator assumes packages are loaded with their dimensions aligned to the container axes (length along length, width along width, height along height). For maximum accuracy, measure your package in the orientation you plan to use. The tool does not rotate packages automatically.
How many layers of boxes can I stack in a container?
The number of layers equals how many package heights fit within the container's internal height. For example, if the container height is 2.39 m and each package is 0.40 m tall, you can stack a maximum of 5 layers (2.39 / 0.40 = 5.97, floored to 5).
Is the container loading calculator free to use?
Yes, this container loading calculator is completely free to use with no registration or account required. You can share your results via the URL which saves your input parameters.