Resource guide
How to Load a Shipping Container: CBM & Pallets per Container
Loading a container efficiently comes down to two things: the volume of your cargo (CBM) and how it physically fits inside. This guide covers both — how to calculate CBM, how many pallets fit a 20ft and 40ft container, and how to plan the load so nothing is wasted.
What is CBM?
CBM (cubic metre, m³) is the volume of your cargo. For each item, multiply length × width × height in metres, then add the items together for the total shipment volume.
Example: a Euro pallet of 1.2 × 0.8 × 1.0 m is 0.96 CBM. Ten of them are 9.6 CBM.
How to calculate CBM
1. Measure each item or pallet in metres (divide centimetres by 100).
2. Multiply length × width × height for each.
3. Multiply by the quantity, then sum every line. That total is your shipment CBM — the number carriers and freight forwarders use to price LCL ocean freight.
How many pallets fit in a container?
A standard 20ft container holds roughly 10–11 Euro pallets (1.2 × 0.8 m) in a single floor layer; a 40ft holds around 24–25. High Cube containers add height rather than floor space, so the single-layer pallet count is similar — you gain capacity only by stacking.
Weight matters too: even when there is floor space, a container has a maximum payload (around 28 t for a 20ft, 26–27 t for a 40ft), so dense cargo can hit the weight limit before the volume limit.
Plan the load (weight & stacking)
Volume alone does not guarantee a good load. Respect the container’s maximum payload, mark fragile items so nothing is crushed, and keep heavier items low and evenly distributed. The most reliable way to see how your specific cargo fits is to model it in 3D.
| Container | Euro pallets |
|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | 10–11 |
| 40ft Standard | 24–25 |
| 40ft High Cube | 24–25 |
| 45ft High Cube | 27–28 |
Plan your exact load in 3D
Enter your container and cargo and get an interactive 3D load plan with the volume fill, payload used and loading order — free.
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets fit in a 20ft container?+
About 10–11 Euro pallets (1.2 × 0.8 m) in a single floor layer, depending on orientation and whether you can stack. A 40ft container holds around 24–25.
How do I calculate CBM?+
Multiply length × width × height in metres for each item, multiply by quantity, and sum every line. The total is your shipment CBM.
Does High Cube fit more pallets?+
A 40ft High Cube adds about 30 cm of height, not floor space, so the single-layer pallet count is the same as a standard 40ft. You gain capacity only by stacking.