Carton, Pallet and Container Loading Calculator
Enter your export carton size, weight and pouches per carton. Get cartons per pallet, cartons and pouches per container, and whether volume or weight limits the load. Results update as you type.
Your inputs
Results
Cartons per pallet
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Cartons on one full pallet after height and weight limits.
Pouches per pallet
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Cartons per pallet times pouches per carton.
Weight per pallet
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Carton weight on one pallet, excluding the pallet itself.
Pallets per container
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Single-layer pallets on the container floor.
Cartons per container
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Total export cartons in the selected container.
Pouches per container
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Total pouches in the selected container.
Total cargo weight
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Total carton weight, excluding pallets and dunnage.
Volume utilization
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Carton volume as a share of container inner volume.
Weight utilization
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Cargo weight as a share of container payload.
Limiting factor
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Which limit stops you from loading more.
Layer layout (top view)
How it's calculated
- Orientation: each of the 3 carton edges is tried as the vertical edge; the other two edges form the base, tried in both rotations. The best total is shown.
- Cartons per layer = max( floor(A / a) x floor(B / b), floor(A / b) x floor(B / a) ), where A x B is the pallet or container floor and a x b is the carton base.
- Layers = floor((max loaded height - pallet height) / carton height). Cartons per pallet = cartons per layer x layers. If the pallet is too heavy, layers are cut to floor(max pallet weight / (cartons per layer x carton weight)).
- Pallets per container = grid count of pallets on the floor (both rotations tried, one layer, no stacking), limited by floor(payload / pallet weight). Container inner height also caps the loaded height.
- Floor loaded: cartons = grid count on the floor x floor(inner height / carton height) x packing efficiency (rounded down), limited by floor(payload / carton weight).
- Volume utilization = total carton volume / container inner volume. Weight utilization = total carton weight / payload. The limiting factor is the cap that stops further loading.
- Assumptions: pallet weight, dunnage and strapping are not added; cartons are rigid boxes with no overhang; container values are a typical value, please confirm with your data.
20GP vs 40GP vs 40HQ side by side
Same cartons and pallets, three container types. Selected container values come from the inputs above; the others use the typical defaults.
| Container | Pallets | Cartons | Pouches | Weight | Volume use | Weight use | Limit |
|---|
How to use
1. Enter your carton
Type the outer carton length, width, height, gross weight and the number of pouches packed in it.
2. Set pallet and container
Choose a pallet type and height limits, then pick 20GP, 40GP or 40HQ. Edit the container size or payload if your forwarder quotes different values.
3. Read the result
See cartons per pallet, cartons and pouches per container, and the limiting factor. Compare all three container types in the table.
A worked example
- Inputs: carton 50 x 35 x 30 cm, 12 kg, 1,000 pouches; 1200 x 1000 mm pallet, pallet height 0.145 m, max loaded height 1.8 m, max pallet weight 1000 kg; 40HQ, palletized.
Frequently asked questions
Why not just divide container volume by carton volume?
That overstates the count because cartons cannot fill every gap. The grid method counts whole cartons that actually fit on the floor and in each layer, which is closer to real loading.
Should I choose palletized or floor loaded?
Palletized loads are faster to handle and protect cartons, but pallets use space. Floor loaded shipments can fit more cartons but need more labor at loading and unloading. Check what your receiving site can handle.
Which pallet size should I use?
Use the pallet standard of your destination market and warehouse. 1200 x 1000 mm and 1200 x 800 mm (Euro) are common; 1219 x 1016 mm (48 x 40 in) is common in North America. Confirm with your forwarder.
Why does weight limit my load even with small cartons?
Dense products such as liquid-filled pouches can reach the pallet or container weight limit before the space is full. The limiting factor shown tells you which cap applies.
Are the container dimensions exact?
No. Container inner dimensions and payload vary by shipping line, so every value is editable. Use the figures from your forwarder for a final plan.
Related tools
Have a project in mind?
Tell YLTPACK your pouch size, material and quantity, and our team will reply with a quotation.
Results are estimates for planning purposes. Final specifications and prices are confirmed in your quotation.