This container loading calculator offers a straightforward utility for determining the capacity of a single shipping container in terms of items with identical dimensions and, optionally, weight considerations. Presently, it accommodates a basic stacking approach, wherein items are placed adjacently without intricate rotations or specific ordering. Although intricate ordering techniques may, in certain instances, marginally increase the packing efficiency, they also pose a greater challenge for those responsible for loading the containers with precision.
For enhanced user convenience, we have incorporated data for eight of the most commonly used international shipping container sizes, streamlining the calculation process. Additionally, each container size is accompanied by an estimated maximum load capacity. If you provide item weights, our calculator will also determine the overall cargo weight and issue a warning if it surpasses the maximum weight limit for the chosen container size. Below, you will find a comprehensive list of standard container dimensions and their corresponding maximum cargo weight capacities.
The table presented herein delineates the dimensions of the eight standard container types, which have been preconfigured within our container stuffing calculator. It is worth noting that the internal dimensions specified here may slightly exceed the minimum internal size delineated in ISO 668:2013. This variance stems from the industry practice of manufacturers typically delivering containers with more generous internal dimensions, thereby increasing their capacity and internal volume beyond the prescribed minimum specifications. The determination of maximum payload is in alignment with the ISO standard, taking into account customary tare weights.
Given that manufacturers produce containers with subtle variations, it is advisable to employ the "Custom" feature within our container calculator when precise dimensions and maximum load capacities are known. This allows for the most accurate and tailored calculations to be performed based on specific container attributes.
| Container Type | Internal Dimensions (Length x Width x Height) | Max. cargo weight |
|---|---|---|
| 45 foot standard | 13,550 x 2,340 x 2,360 mm = 13.55 x 2.34 x 2.36 m (44.455 x 7.677 x 7.74 ft) | 28,000 kg (61,729 lbs) |
| 45 foot high cube | 13,550 x 2,340 x 2,655 mm = 13.55 x 2.34 x 2.655 m = (44.455 x 7.677 x 8.71 ft) | 27,800 kg (61,288 lbs) |
| 40 foot standard | 12,030 x 2,350 x 2,390 mm = 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.39 m = (39.47 x 7.71 x 7.84 ft) | 28,800 kg (63,493 lbs) |
| 40 foot high cube | 12,030 x 2,350 x 2,655 mm = 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.655 m = (44.455 x 7.71 x 8.71 ft) | 28,600 kg (63,052 lbs) |
| 30 foot standard | 8,940 x 2,340 x 2,360 mm = 8.94 x 2.34 x 2.36 m = (29.33 x 7.677 x 7.74 ft) | 28,400 kg (62,611 lbs) |
| 30 foot high cube | 8,940 x 2,340 x 2,655 mm = 8.94 x 2.34 x 2.655 m = (29.33 x 7.677 x 8.71 ft) | 28,200 kg (62,170 lbs) |
| 20 foot standard | 5900 x 2350 x 2390 mm = 5.9 x 2.35 x 2.39 m = (19.357 x 7.71 x 7.84 ft) | 28,200 kg (62,170 lbs) |
| 20 foot high cube | 5900 x 2350 x 2655 mm = 5.9 x 2.35 x 2.655 m = (19.357 x 7.71 x 8.71 ft) | 28,000 kg (61,729 lbs) |
In order to estimate how many items you can fit, you need to determine the optimal way to stack them so that you minimize unused volume in the container. This is a hard problem to solve, a so-called NP-hard problem (NP-problem stands for "Non-deterministic Polynomial acceptable problems"), meaning that they cannot be solved in polynomial time.
However, if we limit ourselves to simple orderings of the items, in which all items are oriented the same way with respect to the container interior, then there are only six ways you can arrange a set of items with 3 dimensions (the cargo) in a 3-dimensional box (the container). You can use our Combinations calculator to check that if unsure - 3 objects, choose 2 from each. If we denote the width, height and length of each item with w, h and l, and the corresponding container dimensions with W, H, and L, then these look like so:
Once you know the alignment, you can calculate for each of the six stacking orders how many items you can fit in the volume, by iteratively adding items in each container dimensions until you run out of space in that direction. Then you can compare the total used volume (or number of items, if the items are the same) in each of the six cases and select the variant that makes best use of the available space. Or, instead of going through all this hard work you can let our container calculator do the job for you.