Free Tool
Container Loading Calculator
Enter one carton and the tool works the whole chain: cartons per layer, layers per pallet, pallets per container, and how much of the box you actually pay for. Drag the 3D preview to inspect the load.
1 Carton
2 Pallet
Height includes the pallet deck. 180 cm is the usual limit for a single tier in a GP container.
3 Container
Cartons / pallet
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Pallets needed
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Pallets / container
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Containers needed
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3D Loading Preview
Drag to rotate · scroll to zoom · right-drag to pan
Total volume
— CBM
Total gross weight
— kg
Utilisation
Volume — · Weight —
Loading summary
Container loading questions
How many pallets fit in a 20ft container?
Mixing pallet orientations, a 20' GP takes 11 EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) or 9–10 of the 120 × 100 cm type in a single tier. A 40' GP takes 25 EUR pallets or about 22 at 120 × 100 cm. Keep every pallet facing the same way and you lose roughly a fifth of that, which is why the pattern the calculator draws matters.
Should I palletise or floor-load?
Floor loading fits roughly 10–15% more cartons because you lose no deck height or footprint, but it costs far more labour at both ends and risks more damage. Palletise when the receiving warehouse charges for manual unloading or when the cargo is fragile or heavy.
Why does the calculator sometimes stop at one tier?
Double stacking is only offered when two loaded pallets clear both the internal height and the door opening, and when you tick the stackable box. A 1.6 m pallet needs 3.2 m of clear height, which no standard container has — so shorter stacks are the only ones that ever double up. Crushable goods and uneven top layers rule it out anyway.
How accurate is the result?
The layer patterns and counts are computed geometrically, so they are a solid planning figure. Real loading is affected by lashing space, pallet quality, carton bulge and how the loading team works — leave a small margin and confirm with your forwarder before booking.
Want us to check the plan against a real quotation?
Share your packing list and destination port. Our team will confirm the carton spec with the factory, book the space, and send back a loading plan you can hand to the warehouse.
Get a shipping quote