How many 12 × 12 × 12 in boxes fit in a 40ft container?
12 × 12 × 12 in boxes of 305 × 305 × 305 mm (also called 1 cubic foot boxes, small moving boxes) in a 40-foot standard container (40GP) — inner dimensions 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Boxes may be laid on any side. 80% of the space used, 7 layers high, about 11,466 kg (43% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (273 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (7 layers)
The answer in detail
The one-cubic-foot box (12 × 12 × 12 in, about 305 mm) is the standard small US shipping and moving carton. Being a cube, its count is simple grid arithmetic.
Twice the floor of a 20ft at the same width and height. Its rated payload is usually a little lower than a 20ft, so dense cargo often maxes out weight before space.
The simple grid estimate is 39 along the length × 7 across × 7 high = 1,911. Here no mixed pattern beats the best uniform grid, so the engine's plan is exactly that grid (1,911).
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxes may be laid on any side (headline figure) | 1,911 | 7 | 80% | 11,466 kg (43% of payload) |
| Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only) | 1,911 | 7 | 80% | 11,466 kg (43% of payload) |
How many 40ft containers for a given order?
| 12 × 12 × 12 in boxes | 100 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft containers needed | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Last one filled to | 5% | 13% | 26% | 52% | 31% | 62% |
Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked
How many 12 × 12 × 12 in boxes fit in a 40ft container?
1,911 12 × 12 × 12 in boxes of 305 × 305 × 305 mm fit in a 40ft container (inner dimensions 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm), boxes may be laid on any side. That uses 80% of the 67.7 m³ available and weighs about 11,466 kg.
What are the inner dimensions of a 40ft container?
Typical inner dimensions are 12,032 mm long, 2,352 mm wide and 2,393 mm high (473.7 × 92.6 × 94.2 in), giving 67.7 m³ of space and a rated payload of about 26,700 kg. Individual units vary by a few centimetres, so check the actual box for tight loads.
How much does a full load of 12 × 12 × 12 in boxes weigh?
1,911 × 6 kg ≈ 11,466 kg, which is 43% of the 26,700 kg payload — so this load is limited by space, not weight.
How was this number calculated?
By running the Cubestow 3D load-planning engine on the exact dimensions above, allowing all six orientations, stacking with at least 80% base support and the container's payload limit, then re-validating the plan for overlaps, support and weight. Real loads leave room for dunnage, door clearance and uneven cartons, so treat the figure as the practical maximum.