How many 18 × 18 × 16 in boxes fit in a 40ft reefer?
18 × 18 × 16 in boxes of 457 × 457 × 406 mm (also called 3 cubic foot boxes, medium moving boxes) in a 40-foot high-cube refrigerated container (40RH) — inner dimensions 11,583 × 2,294 × 2,557 mm. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Boxes may be laid on any side. 94% of the space used, 6 layers high, about 10,500 kg (36% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (125 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (6 layers)
The answer in detail
The "3.0 cubic foot" medium moving box (18 × 18 × 16 in) is the box most US movers use for the bulk of a household. Lying it on its side gains height in some containers, which is why the any-orientation count is higher.
Inner length and width are reduced by the insulation and the machinery. Cargo must not block the airflow along the ceiling or the T-floor.
The simple grid estimate is 25 along the length × 5 across × 6 high = 750. Here no mixed pattern beats the best uniform grid, so the engine's plan is exactly that grid (750).
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxes may be laid on any side (headline figure) | 750 | 6 | 94% | 10,500 kg (36% of payload) |
| Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only) | 750 | 6 | 94% | 10,500 kg (36% of payload) |
How many 40ft reefers for a given order?
| 18 × 18 × 16 in boxes | 100 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft reefers needed | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Last one filled to | 13% | 33% | 67% | 33% | 33% | 67% |
Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked
How many 18 × 18 × 16 in boxes fit in a 40ft reefer?
750 18 × 18 × 16 in boxes of 457 × 457 × 406 mm fit in a 40ft reefer (inner dimensions 11,583 × 2,294 × 2,557 mm), boxes may be laid on any side. That uses 94% of the 67.9 m³ available and weighs about 10,500 kg.
What are the inner dimensions of a 40ft reefer?
Typical inner dimensions are 11,583 mm long, 2,294 mm wide and 2,557 mm high (456.0 × 90.3 × 100.7 in), giving 67.9 m³ of space and a rated payload of about 29,000 kg. Individual units vary by a few centimetres, so check the actual box for tight loads.
How much does a full load of 18 × 18 × 16 in boxes weigh?
750 × 14 kg ≈ 10,500 kg, which is 36% of the 29,000 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.