How many 500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes fit in a 40ft high cube?
500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes of 500 × 400 × 400 mm (also called 50 × 40 × 40 cm 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. 82% of the space used, 6 layers high, about 8,580 kg (32% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (120 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (6 layers)
The answer in detail
A large parcel carton just under the 80 L mark, common for household goods and for consolidating smaller cartons.
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 24 along the length × 5 across × 6 high = 720. The engine found 780 — 60 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) | 780 | 6 | 82% | 8,580 kg (32% of payload) |
| Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only) | 828 | 6 | 87% | 9,108 kg (34% of payload) |
How many 40ft high cubes for a given order?
| 500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes | 100 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft high cubes needed | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Last one filled to | 13% | 32% | 64% | 28% | 21% | 41% |
Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked
How many 500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes fit in a 40ft high cube?
780 500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes of 500 × 400 × 400 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 82% of the 76.4 m³ available and weighs about 8,580 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 500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes weigh?
780 × 11 kg ≈ 8,580 kg, which is 32% 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.