# Container loading calculator

Packed in simple blocks, 40 × 30 × 20 cm cartons fit 1,199 in a 20GP, 2,225 in a 40GP, 2,208 in a 40HQ and 2,133 in a 45HQ (12 kg cartons; the 40HQ and 45HQ figures are limited by typical payload).

Interactive calculator: https://cartonmath.com/container-loading-calculator/
URL parameters: mode=cartons|pallets, unit=cm|in, l, w, h, wt (per carton), qty (cartons to ship), upright=1, cont=20gp|40gp|40hq|45hq, pallet=eur|uk|us|asia|au, ph (loaded pallet height, cm), pwt (gross kg per pallet).

## Worked example (20GP)

1. Container, typical internal: 5898 × 2352 × 2393 mm
2. Carton standing on its 40 × 30 face: 20 cm vertical: ⌊2393 ÷ 200⌋ = 11 tiers
3. Floor, plain pattern: ⌊5898 ÷ 400⌋ × ⌊2352 ÷ 300⌋ = 14 × 7 = 98
4. Floor, two-block split: 14×1 + 19×5 = 109 per tier
5. By space: 109 × 11 = 1,199
6. By weight: ⌊28,000 ÷ 12⌋ = 2,333
7. Cartons in a 20GP: lower of the two = 1,199

## Typical container dimensions

| Container | Inside L x W x H (mm) | Capacity (m3) | Typical max payload (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 5898 x 2352 x 2393 | 33.2 | 28,000 |
| 40GP | 12032 x 2352 x 2393 | 67.72 | 26,700 |
| 40HQ | 12032 x 2352 x 2698 | 76.35 | 26,500 |
| 45HQ | 13556 x 2352 x 2698 | 86.02 | 25,600 |

## Pallets per container (single stack, geometric floor fit)

| Pallet | 20GP | 40GP | 40HQ | 45HQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR / EPAL 1200x800 | 11 | 25 | 25 | 27 |
| ISO / UK 1200x1000 | 9 | 22 | 22 | 24 |
| US GMA 1219x1016 | 9 | 20 | 20 | 24 |
| Asia 1100x1100 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 24 |
| Australia 1165x1165 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 22 |

## FAQ

**How many cartons fit in a 20ft container?**
It depends on the carton. 40 × 30 × 20 cm cartons fit about 1,199 in a 20GP by simple block loading, which uses 87 % of its typical 33.2 m³. Enter your carton for your own answer.

**How many pallets fit in a 40ft container?**
On the floor, by geometry: 25 EUR pallets (1200 × 800 mm), 22 UK pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) or 20 US 48 × 40 in pallets in a typical 40GP or 40HQ. Real loads can come out one or two lower because of corrugated walls, door frames and loading clearance.

**Why is my real load smaller than the calculator says?**
Real containers lose space to corrugated side walls, door frames, floor and roof clearance, bracing and the gap a forklift or loader needs. Planners often count on 80 to 90 % of the theoretical volume for mixed cartons.

**What does 'limited by weight' mean?**
The cartons that fit by space would exceed the container's typical maximum payload. Heavy goods such as tiles, metal parts or liquids often fill a 20GP by weight long before it is full by volume. Road weight limits in your country can be lower still.

**Can I double-stack pallets in a container?**
Only if two loaded pallets fit under the internal height and the lower load can carry the upper one. A 20GP or 40GP is about 2.39 m inside, so each loaded pallet must be under about 1.19 m; a high cube gives about 2.69 m.

Source page: https://cartonmath.com/container-loading-calculator/
Updated: 2026-10-06
Publisher: CartonMath (https://cartonmath.com)