How many 400 × 300 × 300 mm boxes fit in a 40ft high cube?
400 × 300 × 300 mm boxes of 400 × 300 × 300 mm (also called 40 × 30 × 30 cm cartons, quarter-Euro cartons) in a 40-foot high-cube container (40HC) — inner dimensions 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,698 mm. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Boxes may be laid on any side. 87% of the space used, 8 layers high, about 11,040 kg (42% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (230 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (8 layers)
The answer in detail
The 400 × 300 footprint is a quarter of a EUR pallet deck (eight per layer), which makes it a favourite e-commerce shipping carton.
Same footprint as a 40GP with about 30 cm more height — the workhorse of e-commerce and consumer-goods shipping because the extra layer of cartons is almost free.
The simple grid estimate is 30 along the length × 7 across × 8 high = 1,680. The engine found 1,840 — 160 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) | 1,840 | 8 | 87% | 11,040 kg (42% of payload) |
| Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only) | 1,840 | 8 | 87% | 11,040 kg (42% of payload) |
How many 40ft high cubes for a given order?
| 400 × 300 × 300 mm boxes | 100 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft high cubes needed | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Last one filled to | 5% | 14% | 27% | 54% | 36% | 72% |
Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked
How many 400 × 300 × 300 mm boxes fit in a 40ft high cube?
1,840 400 × 300 × 300 mm boxes of 400 × 300 × 300 mm fit in a 40ft high cube (inner dimensions 12,032 × 2,352 × 2,698 mm), boxes may be laid on any side. That uses 87% of the 76.4 m³ available and weighs about 11,040 kg.
What are the inner dimensions of a 40ft high cube?
Typical inner dimensions are 12,032 mm long, 2,352 mm wide and 2,698 mm high (473.7 × 92.6 × 106.2 in), giving 76.4 m³ of space and a rated payload of about 26,500 kg. Individual units vary by a few centimetres, so check the actual box for tight loads.
How much does a full load of 400 × 300 × 300 mm boxes weigh?
1,840 × 6 kg ≈ 11,040 kg, which is 42% of the 26,500 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.