How many 24 × 18 × 18 in boxes fit in a 40ft reefer?
24 × 18 × 18 in boxes of 610 × 457 × 457 mm (also called 4.5 cubic foot boxes, large 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. 95% of the space used, 8 layers high, about 8,080 kg (28% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (125 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (8 layers)
The answer in detail
The large 4.5 cubic foot moving and shipping box.
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 18 along the length × 5 across × 8 high = 720. The engine found 505 — 55 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 rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxes may be laid on any side (headline figure) | 505 | 8 | 95% | 8,080 kg (28% of payload) |
| Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only) | 470 | 5 | 88% | 7,520 kg (26% of payload) |
How many 40ft reefers for a given order?
| 24 × 18 × 18 in boxes | 100 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft reefers needed | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Last one filled to | 20% | 50% | 99% | 98% | 95% | 90% |
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 reefer?
505 24 × 18 × 18 in boxes of 610 × 457 × 457 mm fit in a 40ft reefer (inner dimensions 11,583 × 2,294 × 2,557 mm), boxes may be laid on any side. That uses 95% of the 67.9 m³ available and weighs about 8,080 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 24 × 18 × 18 in boxes weigh?
505 × 16 kg ≈ 8,080 kg, which is 28% 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.