Cubestow
Fit guides40ft container24 × 18 × 18 in boxes

How many 24 × 18 × 18 in boxes fit in a 40ft container?

24 × 18 × 18 in boxes of 610 × 457 × 457 mm (also called 4.5 cubic foot boxes, large 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.

48724 × 18 × 18 in boxes

Boxes may be laid on any side. 92% of the space used, 8 layers high, about 7,792 kg (29% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →

48724 × 18 × 18 in boxes
8layers
92%volume used
99%of the length used
7,792 kgtotal cargo weight
26,700 kgrated payload

Top view — floor layer (104 on the floor)

12,032 mm 2,352 mm door end →
long side along the lengthturned

Side view — first row along the wall (8 layers)

2,393 mm

The answer in detail

The large 4.5 cubic foot moving and shipping box.

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 19 along the length × 5 across × 8 high = 760. The engine found 487 — 12 more than either uniform grid — by mixing orientations so that the leftover strip along the wall is used and by choosing the orientation that gives the most layers. The top view above shows the pattern.

Variants

Loading ruleFitsLayersVolume usedTotal weight
Boxes may be laid on any side (headline figure)487892%7,792 kg (29% of payload)
Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only)485591%7,760 kg (29% of payload)

How many 40ft containers for a given order?

24 × 18 × 18 in boxes1002505001,0002,5005,000
40ft containers needed1123611
Last one filled to21%51%3%5%13%27%

Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.

Frequently asked

How many 24 × 18 × 18 in boxes fit in a 40ft container?

487 24 × 18 × 18 in boxes of 610 × 457 × 457 mm fit in a 40ft container (inner dimensions 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm), boxes may be laid on any side. That uses 92% of the 67.7 m³ available and weighs about 7,792 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 24 × 18 × 18 in boxes weigh?

487 × 16 kg ≈ 7,792 kg, which is 29% 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.

24 × 18 × 18 in boxes in other containers and trucks

Other cargo in a 40ft container

Assumptions. Cargo is modelled as rigid rectangular boxes with the outer dimensions above; the container's typical inner dimensions and rated payload are used; every box needs at least 80% of its base supported; no dunnage, straps or door clearance are reserved. The plan is one of many optimal or near-optimal arrangements — the engine's plan was checked for overlaps, support, orientation and weight, and the count is what it achieved within 1.4 s of search. Real containers vary by manufacturer; measure yours for tight loads.