How many 600 × 400 × 400 mm boxes fit in a 20ft reefer?
600 × 400 × 400 mm boxes of 600 × 400 × 400 mm (also called 60 × 40 × 40 cm cartons, Euro-modular cartons) in a 20-foot refrigerated container (20RF) — inner dimensions 5,444 × 2,294 × 2,276 mm. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Boxes may be laid on any side. 84% of the space used, 7 layers high, about 2,988 kg (11% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (53 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (7 layers)
The answer in detail
The 600 × 400 mm footprint is the "Euro modular" size: it tiles a 1,200 × 800 EUR pallet exactly (four per layer) and a 1,200 × 1,000 pallet in five. It is the most common outer carton in European retail supply chains.
The refrigeration unit and insulated walls take space, so a reefer is shorter, narrower and lower inside than a dry 20ft. Leave the T-floor and the air return clear.
The simple grid estimate is 9 along the length × 5 across × 7 high = 315. The engine found 249 — 24 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) | 249 | 7 | 84% | 2,988 kg (11% of payload) |
| Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only) | 245 | 5 | 83% | 2,940 kg (11% of payload) |
How many 20ft reefers for a given order?
| 600 × 400 × 400 mm boxes | 100 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft reefers needed | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 21 |
| Last one filled to | 40% | 0% | 1% | 2% | 4% | 8% |
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Frequently asked
How many 600 × 400 × 400 mm boxes fit in a 20ft reefer?
249 600 × 400 × 400 mm boxes of 600 × 400 × 400 mm fit in a 20ft reefer (inner dimensions 5,444 × 2,294 × 2,276 mm), boxes may be laid on any side. That uses 84% of the 28.4 m³ available and weighs about 2,988 kg.
What are the inner dimensions of a 20ft reefer?
Typical inner dimensions are 5,444 mm long, 2,294 mm wide and 2,276 mm high (214.3 × 90.3 × 89.6 in), giving 28.4 m³ of space and a rated payload of about 27,400 kg. Individual units vary by a few centimetres, so check the actual box for tight loads.
How much does a full load of 600 × 400 × 400 mm boxes weigh?
249 × 12 kg ≈ 2,988 kg, which is 11% of the 27,400 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.