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.
Main loading constraint: Not available.
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
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
Choose a container
Select 20GP, 40GP or 40HC.
- 2
Enter carton details
Add outside dimensions and gross weight.
- 3
Enter shipment quantity
Add the cartons you plan to ship.
- 4
Select orientation and efficiency
Use the operational alignment and planning factor you expect.
- 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
Ready to calculate smarter?
Explore more free tools for your import planning workflow.
