Container Size Calculator
Enter the cargo volume and weight. The calculator picks the smallest shipping container that holds it at a realistic 85% packing, and shows the space used and payload.
- Container
- Space used
- Payload
Under about 15 m³, shared LCL shipping is often cheaper.
Boxes never fill a container perfectly, so plan on about 85%. 25 m³ of cargo weighing 5,000 kg fits a 20 ft container, which holds 33.2 m³ and fills to about 75%. Over about 28 m³, step up to a 40 ft.
Shipping container size chart
Inside sizes. Search for a container.
| Container | Inside (m) | Volume (m³) | Realistic load (m³) | Max payload (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standard | 5.9 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 33.2 | 28 | 28,200 |
| 40 ft standard | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 67.7 | 57 | 26,700 |
| 40 ft high cube | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.70 | 76.4 | 65 | 26,500 |
| 45 ft high cube | 13.56 × 2.35 × 2.70 | 86 | 73 | 27,700 |
Metres.
Cargo and container
No weight limit. Slide the cargo volume.
The container fills as cargo grows.
How to choose a container
Cargo to box. Step through it.
Volume
m³.
Load heavy items low and spread the weight evenly.
20 ft, 40 ft or high cube
Container types. Compare them.
Heavy cargo.
Volume.
Extra height.
A 40 ft container holds twice the volume but less weight than a 20 ft.
Before you book
Shipping checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Get a packing list with every box's size and weight.
What you get
Container sizing. Each tile explains one result.
Size.
Per cent.
Checked.
Size.
Count.
Road weight limits can be lower than a container's payload.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
What size container do I need?
The smallest one that holds your cargo at about eighty five per cent full.
How much fits in a twenty foot container?
About twenty eight cubic metres of real cargo.
How much fits in a forty foot container?
About fifty seven cubic metres, or sixty five in a high cube.
How heavy can a container be?
About twenty six to twenty eight tonnes of cargo.
What is a high cube container?
A container about thirty centimetres taller than standard.
When should I use LCL shipping?
When you have less than about fifteen cubic metres.
How many pallets fit in a container?
About ten standard pallets in a twenty foot and twenty one in a forty foot.
Ship in the right box
Choose the container that fits your cargo and you pay for space you actually use.
More size calculators
Each one has its own calculator, worked examples and answers to common questions.