Enter one cartonFinal outer dimensions + gross weight.
Pallet & Shipping Container Planner
Estimate cartons per pallet and compare shared shipment CBM/payload against example 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high-cube container specifications.
This is an early packing estimate, not a stow plan or loading certificate.The pallet calculation uses simple orthogonal layers. Container results compare aggregate CBM and payload only. Real loading also depends on orientation, crush strength, door dimensions, axle/road limits, weight distribution, dunnage and securing.
Choose/confirm pallet limitsLength, width, max loaded height and gross-weight limit.
Read the two limits separatelyCartons per pallet is geometry/weight. Containers need shipment-level CBM + payload.
How many identical cartons fit in simple layers?
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4 cartons/layer × 5 layers → 20 estimated cartons before real-world loading adjustments.
The limiting count is the lower of simple geometric fit and the entered pallet weight limit. The diagram is illustrative; it does not optimize rotations/interlocking.
Check volume and payload together.
No shipment geometry in the shared project yet.
Start in the CBM calculator, enter all package types and click “Use in shared trade project”. Then return here for container screening.
Open CBM calculatorTheoretical cubic capacity is not guaranteed usable space. Confirm actual equipment, door clearance and the loading plan with the forwarder/carrier.
Equipment provenance
Equipment values are examples, never guarantees.
Trade Studio uses carrier-published example specifications for common dry containers. Carrier fleets vary by manufacturer and individual unit.
A shipment can fit by cubic metres and still fail by payload, or fit by both aggregate measures but fail operationally because of dimensions, doors or cargo geometry. This planner makes those limitations explicit.
Use physical packing data
- Start from measured carton dimensions and gross weight.
- Choose or enter a pallet footprint and height/weight limit.
- Use the shared Trade Studio package record for container comparisons.
How OpenFileTools processes it
Source-backed inputs, explicit assumptions.
The browser estimates cartons per pallet with two footprint orientations and then compares total shipment CBM and gross weight with carrier-published example container capacity and payload.
Questions, answered.
Why can a container show less than 100% CBM but still need another container?
Payload may be the limiting factor, or the physical cargo shape may not use the theoretical cubic capacity efficiently.
Are the container dimensions guaranteed?
No. They are clearly labeled carrier examples; confirm the actual equipment supplied for your booking.
Related guide
Read the related guide