Selected container load planner

Container Load Estimator

Estimate how many cartons fit in a selected 20GP, 40GP or 40HC shipping container with carton orientation, payload, packing efficiency and utilization assumptions.

  • Free to use
  • No sign-up required
  • Regular-grid planning

Plan your selected container load

Set one container, one carton orientation and a planning efficiency.

Packing efficiency is a planning assumption applied to regular-grid capacity, not a measured loading result or 3D simulation.

Your load estimate

Selected orientation and packing assumption update instantly.

No valid carton dimensions yet.

Main loading constraint: Not available.

Estimated cartons loaded—
Remaining cartons—
Containers required—

Selected container20GP · 5.9 × 2.35 × 2.39 m · 28,000 kg payload

Selected gridNot available

Best theoretical orientationNot available

Adjusted space / payload0 / Not evaluated cartons

Volume0%
Weight0%

This regular-grid estimate does not simulate mixed orientations, pallets, door clearance, dunnage, load securing or real warehouse loading practice. Confirm actual equipment specifications before loading.

How to use

Plan one container load in five clear steps.

Choose your equipment, carton orientation and planning assumptions before you book or load.

  1. 1

    Choose a container

    Select 20GP, 40GP or 40HC.

  2. 2

    Enter carton details

    Add outside dimensions and gross weight.

  3. 3

    Enter shipment quantity

    Add the cartons you plan to ship.

  4. 4

    Select orientation and efficiency

    Use the operational alignment and planning factor you expect.

  5. 5

    Review the load estimate

    See loaded cartons, remaining cartons and utilization.

Transparent methodology

Formula & assumptions.

A selected-orientation, regular-grid planning estimate — not 3D loading optimization.

Calculation formula

Selected grid = floor(container L ÷ carton A) × floor(container W ÷ carton B) × floor(container H ÷ carton C)

Best grid capacity = highest result across the six tested regular-grid orientations

Adjusted space capacity = floor(selected grid × packing efficiency ÷ 100)

Payload capacity = floor(payload ÷ carton weight)

Estimated load capacity = lower of adjusted space and payload capacity

Loaded cartons = lower of shipment quantity and estimated load capacity

Remaining cartons = shipment quantity − loaded cartons

Containers required = ceil(shipment quantity ÷ estimated load capacity)

Loaded volume = loaded cartons × carton CBM

Loaded weight = loaded cartons × carton weight

Volume utilization = loaded volume ÷ selected container geometric volume

Weight utilization = loaded weight ÷ selected container payload

Planning limits

  • Packing efficiency is a planning factor, not a measured warehouse result or guaranteed volume fill.
  • Selected orientation may be constrained by labels, fragile goods, compression limits or product requirements that this estimator does not judge.
  • This does not simulate mixed orientations, pallets, door clearance, dunnage, load securing or advanced 3D loading.
  • Container dimensions and payload are planning presets. Confirm actual equipment specifications, including tare where relevant; they can vary by manufacturer, shipping line, equipment condition and local transport rules.

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers before you load.

Know what a regular-grid estimate can guide — and what it cannot guarantee.

Is this a 3D container loading plan?⌄

No. It is a single-carton, selected-orientation regular-grid planning estimator.

Does packing efficiency equal volume utilization?⌄

No. Efficiency reduces grid capacity; utilization is loaded cargo volume divided by geometric container volume.

Why can I select a non-best orientation?⌄

Operational cargo requirements can make a theoretical best orientation unsuitable.

Does the estimator choose the cheapest container?⌄

No. It has no freight-rate data and only estimates a selected container load.

Can I use mixed carton types?⌄

Not in V1. Use one carton type and one selected orientation.

Should I confirm container specifications?⌄

Yes. Equipment dimensions, door opening, payload and operating constraints can vary.

Plan with clarity

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