Container and pallet loader. Every carton counted.
A container load plan shows how many cartons fit on each pallet and in each container, and whether space or weight runs out first. Enter your carton size and weight and this calculator finds the best orientation, draws the pallet and container plan, and tells you how many containers your order needs.
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| Container | Inside L × W × H (mm) | Loose cartons | Pallets | Cartons on pallets | Containers needed |
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Three steps. One clear answer.
- 01
Enter the export carton size in centimetres, its gross weight and how many cartons you are shipping.
- 02
Choose loose or palletised loading, your pallet type and height limit, and the container size.
- 03
Read cartons per pallet and per container, the drawn plan, and how many containers the order needs.
Each carton orientation allowed by This side up is tried. Every layer is packed with an exact guillotine search over mixed lengthwise and crosswise blocks (a two-block search for very small cartons), then stacked to the height limit, with one extra layer of turned cartons on top where it fits. Pallets carry no overhang; pallet positions on the container floor use the same search in both orientations. Standard internal dimensions: 20′ GP 5,898 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm, 40′ GP 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm, 40′ HC 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,698 mm; doors 2,340 mm wide and 2,280 mm (GP) or 2,585 mm (HC) high. Pallets: EUR 1,200 × 800 mm (ISO 6780 / EN 13698-1), ISO 1,200 × 1,000 mm, US GMA 48 × 40 in. Capacity is the lower of the space count and the payload count.
Results are estimates to support your decisions. For binding figures, ask our team or your customs broker.
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Straight answers.
Anything else, ask us directly. A principal replies, not a bot.
[email protected]How many cartons fit in a 20ft container?
It depends on the carton size and how it is turned. For 60 × 40 × 40 cm cartons loaded loose, a 20′ GP takes 262 using mixed orientations, against 225 in a single-orientation grid. Enter your own carton to get the exact figure.
How many pallets fit in a 20ft and a 40ft container?
Single tier, a 20′ takes 11 EUR pallets (1,200 × 800 mm) or 9 pallets of 1,200 × 1,000 mm or 48 × 40 in. A 40′ takes 25 EUR pallets, 20 of 48 × 40 in, and 22 of 1,200 × 1,000 mm with only centimetres to spare, so many loads plan 20 or 21.
Is loose loading or palletised loading better?
Loose loading fits more cartons because there is no pallet and no height gap: 60 × 40 × 40 cm cartons give 262 loose in a 20′ against 132 on EUR pallets. Pallets unload much faster and many European and US warehouses ask for them, so weigh both counts against unloading costs.
What does This side up change?
It keeps the carton height vertical, so only the two upright orientations are tried. Leave it unticked if the goods can travel on their side; the calculator then also tries laying cartons down, which can add a layer.
What is the maximum payload of a container?
Typical maximum payloads are about 28,200 kg for a 20′ GP, 26,700 kg for a 40′ GP and 26,500 kg for a 40′ HC. The exact figure is on each container's CSC plate, and road limits in your country can be lower.
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