How many 400 × 300 × 300 mm boxes fit in a 40ft reefer?
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 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. 85% of the space used, 12 layers high, about 9,660 kg (33% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (203 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (12 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.
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 28 along the length × 7 across × 12 high = 2,352. The engine found 1,610 — 42 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) | 1,610 | 12 | 85% | 9,660 kg (33% of payload) |
| Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only) | 1,680 | 8 | 89% | 10,080 kg (35% of payload) |
How many 40ft reefers for a given order?
| 400 × 300 × 300 mm boxes | 100 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft reefers needed | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Last one filled to | 6% | 16% | 31% | 62% | 55% | 11% |
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 reefer?
1,610 400 × 300 × 300 mm boxes of 400 × 300 × 300 mm fit in a 40ft reefer (inner dimensions 11,583 × 2,294 × 2,557 mm), boxes may be laid on any side. That uses 85% of the 67.9 m³ available and weighs about 9,660 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 400 × 300 × 300 mm boxes weigh?
1,610 × 6 kg ≈ 9,660 kg, which is 33% 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.