The calculation, without hidden assumptions
Estimate a single-SKU floor load from real carton dimensions instead of dividing nominal CBM alone. MAXScanner can check all six orthogonal carton orientations or preserve the packed height as vertical for orientation-sensitive cargo, then compares geometric fit with payload capacity and scales the result to your order quantity.
How to use this calculator
Choose a 20 ft standard, 40 ft standard or 40 ft high-cube planning preset.
Choose free rotation or keep-height-upright. Use upright-only when the packed product must not be placed on its side.
Enter the final external packed carton dimensions and their unit.
Enter gross mass per carton and the total order quantity.
Compare the best allowed orientation grid with payload capacity, utilization and containers required; confirm the actual equipment plate, door clearance, load securing and stacking strength before stuffing.
Where people use it
- •Estimate cartons per FCL before requesting a freight quote.
- •Protect this-side-up or orientation-sensitive cartons from an unrealistic side-rotation estimate.
- •Check whether a dense product reaches payload before the container is geometrically full.
- •Compare 20 ft, 40 ft and high-cube planning scenarios by changing the preset.
- •Estimate how many containers an identical-carton purchase order needs and how many cartons remain for the final container.
60 × 40 × 30 cm cartons in a 20 ft container
The solver converts the carton to millimetres, checks the orientations allowed by your policy against the internal planning dimensions, then compares the best whole-carton grid with the payload limit. The lower count controls; it never assumes nominal CBM can be packed without dimensional gaps.
What the result does not assume
- •This is a deterministic single-SKU orthogonal-grid planning estimator, not a global 3D bin-packing optimizer. Mixed carton sizes, interlocking, void filling and irregular cargo need a dedicated load plan.
- •Upright-only means the entered carton height remains vertical; it does not certify stackability, top-load strength or handling labels.
- •Container internal dimensions and payload vary by manufacturer, equipment series, tare mass and carrier. Verify the actual container CSC/door data and booking limits.
- •The calculation does not approve carton compression strength, centre of gravity, floor loading, lashing, dangerous goods, road axle limits or load securing.
- •Door openings can be smaller than nominal internal dimensions. A carton that fits the interior may still fail the loading-door clearance check.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes fit in a 20 ft container?+
It depends on the packed box dimensions, allowed orientation and gross weight. This calculator checks whole-carton fit under your selected orientation policy and then caps that result by the planning payload.
Why not divide container CBM by carton CBM?+
Volume division ignores unusable dimensional gaps. Whole boxes must fit along length, width and height, so a grid calculation is a more defensible baseline for identical cartons.
Can I keep cartons upright?+
Yes. Select Keep packed height upright. The solver then keeps the entered height vertical and only swaps length and width on the container floor.
What does free rotation mean?+
Free rotation checks all six axis-aligned orientations. Use it only when the packed product can safely rest on any face.
Does weight affect container capacity?+
Yes. The tool compares the geometric carton count with floor(payload ÷ gross carton mass) and uses the lower count.
Is high cube always better?+
No. Extra height helps light stackable cargo, but payload, carton orientation, stacking strength and door clearance can still control.
Can this plan mixed carton sizes or pallets?+
Not in this owner. Use the Pallet Load Calculator for palletized cartons; mixed-SKU 3D packing requires a different optimization problem.
Semantic next steps
Continue the calculation
These links move to a different input, formula or project stage rather than a keyword variation of this page.
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Keep the result connected to the real job
MAXScanner keeps the formula and assumptions beside the result so you can verify the number before using it in a drawing, estimate, specification, worksheet or document. Where a supplier, manufacturer, drawing or applicable standard owns a requirement, that source remains authoritative.