Shipping Container Calculators
Use individual calculators for cargo volume, container selection, stuffing, dimensions, payload and special container requirements.
Shipping Container Calculators
Calculate cargo volume, container capacity, loading requirements, pallet quantities, payload, container dimensions and oversized cargo requirements for common shipping containers.
Container Loading & Stuffing
Container Loading Calculator
Calculate how many cartons, crates, pallets or packages can be loaded inside a selected shipping container based on dimensions and quantity.
Open Container Loading Calculator →Container Stuffing Calculator
Estimate container stuffing capacity using cargo dimensions, weight, quantity and available container space.
Open Stuffing Calculator →Container Capacity Calculator
Check approximate cubic capacity, usable volume, cargo volume and container utilization for common ocean containers.
Open Capacity Calculator →CBM, Cargo & Volume
CBM Shipping Calculator
Calculate cubic meters from cargo dimensions and quantity for FCL, LCL and international freight planning.
Open CBM Calculator →Container Fill Calculator
Calculate the percentage of available container volume occupied by your shipment.
Check Container Fill →Cargo Weight & Payload Calculator
Compare total cargo weight with estimated container payload and identify weight-limited shipments.
Check Container Payload →Pallet & Package Loading
Pallet Container Calculator
Estimate how many pallets can be loaded into 20ft, 40ft and 40HC containers using pallet dimensions and quantity.
Open Pallet Calculator →Package Container Calculator
Estimate package loading capacity using carton, crate or package dimensions and quantity.
Open Package Calculator →Carton Loading Calculator
Check carton dimensions, quantity and estimated loading capacity for standard shipping containers.
Open Carton Calculator →Container Dimensions & Selection
Container Dimension Checker
Compare cargo length, width and height against standard container internal dimensions.
Check Cargo Dimensions →20ft Container Calculator
Check cargo dimensions, approximate capacity and estimated loading requirements for standard 20ft containers.
Open 20ft Calculator →40ft Container Calculator
Calculate approximate capacity and check cargo dimensions for standard 40ft containers.
Open 40ft Calculator →40HC Container Calculator
Check cargo volume, dimensions and loading suitability for 40ft High Cube containers.
Open 40HC Calculator →Container Quantity Calculator
Estimate the number of 20ft, 40ft or 40HC containers required based on cargo volume.
Calculate Container Quantity →Container Utilization Calculator
Calculate approximate container utilization by comparing cargo volume with practical container capacity.
Check Utilization →OOG & Special Containers
OOG Container Calculator
Check oversized and out-of-gauge cargo dimensions for initial container and special-equipment planning.
Open OOG Calculator →Open Top Container Calculator
Check cargo dimensions and preliminary loading requirements for open top containers.
Open Open Top Calculator →Flat Rack Container Calculator
Check oversized cargo dimensions and preliminary flat rack requirements for project and heavy cargo.
Open Flat Rack Calculator →Quick Container Dimension & Capacity Calculator
Enter up to 5 different cargo types. The calculator checks the physical cargo dimensions first and then calculates CBM and an estimated container quantity.
Dimension Exception Detected
Shipping Line Check RequiredStandard Shipping Container Dimensions
The dimensions below are approximate reference dimensions used for preliminary calculations. Actual container dimensions, door openings, payload and equipment specifications can vary by manufacturer and shipping line.
| Container Type | Internal Length | Internal Width | Internal Height | Practical Working CBM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | 589 cm | 235 cm | 239 cm | Approximately 28 CBM |
| 40ft Standard | 1203 cm | 235 cm | 239 cm | Approximately 56 CBM |
| 40ft High Cube | 1203 cm | 235 cm | 269 cm | Approximately 65 CBM |
Shipping Container Calculator Formula
Cargo CBM Formula
When cargo dimensions are entered in centimetres:
CBM = Length × Width × Height × Quantity ÷ 1,000,000
Example
If 4 packages measure 150 × 110 × 100 cm:
150 × 110 × 100 × 4 ÷ 1,000,000 = 6.60 CBM
Physical Dimension Formula
The calculator does not rely on CBM alone. Each individual cargo piece must physically fit within the applicable container dimensions.
Length and width may be switched horizontally:
Cargo Length ≤ Container Length AND Cargo Width ≤ Container Width
OR:
Cargo Width ≤ Container Length AND Cargo Length ≤ Container Width
Cargo height is checked separately:
Cargo Height ≤ Container Internal Height
Important Height Rule
The calculator does not rotate cargo height into the container length or width. For example, a cargo with dimensions 100 × 100 × 300 cm has a height of 300 cm. Because 300 cm exceeds the approximate internal height of standard 20ft, 40ft and 40HC containers, it will produce a dimension exception.
Choosing the Right Shipping Container
20ft Standard Container
A 20ft container is commonly used for general cargo, machinery, cartons, pallets and shipments where cargo volume and weight are suitable for a smaller container.
40ft Standard Container
A 40ft standard container provides substantially more floor length than a 20ft container and is commonly used for larger-volume general cargo.
40ft High Cube Container
A 40HC container provides additional internal height compared with a standard dry container and is frequently used for high-volume cargo where additional vertical space is useful.
Open Top Container
Open Top containers can be considered for cargo that requires special top loading or where conventional door loading is not practical.
Flat Rack Container
Flat racks are commonly considered for oversized and out-of-gauge cargo that cannot be loaded within standard dry-container dimensions.
Shipping Line Container Requirements
Container selection should not be based on CBM alone. Before booking equipment, verify the actual container specifications and cargo acceptance requirements with the relevant shipping line.
- Confirm cargo length, width and height including packaging.
- Check the container internal dimensions.
- Check container door opening dimensions.
- Confirm gross cargo weight and permitted payload.
- Consider cargo weight distribution and floor loading.
- Allow sufficient space for dunnage and lashing.
- Check whether cargo is oversized or out-of-gauge.
- Confirm special equipment availability before booking.
- Obtain shipping-line approval where dimensions exceed standard container limits.
Shipping Container Calculator FAQ
Can a 300 cm high cargo fit inside a 20ft container?
No. The calculator compares cargo height directly with the approximate 239 cm internal height of a standard 20ft container. A 300 cm height therefore produces a dimension exception.
Can a 300 cm high cargo fit inside a standard 40ft container?
No. A standard 40ft container has an approximate internal height of 239 cm, so 300 cm exceeds the standard internal height.
Can a 250 cm high cargo fit in a 40HC?
Based on the approximate 269 cm reference internal height used by this calculator, a 250 cm cargo height can pass the height check for a 40HC. Actual equipment must still be confirmed.
Does CBM alone determine container quantity?
No. CBM is a volume calculation. Cargo dimensions, weight, loading arrangement, stacking, securing, door opening and shipping-line restrictions can affect the actual requirement.
What happens when cargo exceeds standard dimensions?
The calculator displays Dimension Exception Detected and Shipping Line Check Required instead of showing the normal standard-container quantity result.