Container Loading Calculator
Volume or weight — only one is binding.
Units per container
19,644
$0.163 of freight each
Volume is binding, so the container fills before it gets heavy. Reducing carton size or improving nesting adds units directly; reducing weight adds nothing.
How the Container Loading Calculator works
A container fills on volume or on weight, and only one of them is binding. Reducing carton size when weight is the constraint adds nothing; reducing weight when volume is the constraint adds nothing either. Knowing which is which decides the whole packaging brief.
Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price — check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much fits in a container?
A 20-foot holds roughly 33 cubic metres of usable volume and a 40-foot around 67, before stowage losses. Weight limits are typically 21 to 26 tonnes depending on the container and route.
What are stowage losses?
Space that cannot be used because of how cartons pack — gaps at the door, uneven layers, dunnage. Ten to fifteen percent is a normal allowance.
Which constraint binds more often?
Volume, for most consumer goods. Dense products such as liquids, tools or ceramics hit the weight limit first, and for those a smaller carton ships air.
Is a high cube worth the premium?
When volume is binding and the extra height can actually be used, yes — it adds roughly 13% capacity. When weight binds, it adds nothing but cost.