How many wine cases (12 × 750 ml) fit in a 20ft reefer?
Wine cases (12 × 750 ml) of 330 × 250 × 170 mm (also called 12-bottle wine 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 kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only). 84% of the space used, 12 layers high, about 27,392 kg (100% of payload). Payload-limited: 1,872 would fit by space alone. Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (144 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (12 layers)
The answer in detail
A 12-bottle case of 750 ml wine, bottles lying down, measures about 330 × 250 × 170 mm and weighs 15–17 kg. Wine ships upright-case-only; the weight adds up quickly — a full 20ft of wine reaches the payload limit before the roof.
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 16 along the length × 9 across × 12 high = 1,728. The engine's validated plan holds 1,712, below the raw grid because the payload limit cap the load.
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only) (headline figure) | 1,712 | 12 | 84% | 27,392 kg (100% of payload) |
How many 20ft reefers for a given order?
| Wine cases (12 × 750 ml) | 100 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft reefers needed | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Last one filled to | 6% | 15% | 29% | 58% | 46% | 92% |
Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked
How many wine cases (12 × 750 ml) fit in a 20ft reefer?
1,712 wine cases (12 × 750 ml) of 330 × 250 × 170 mm fit in a 20ft reefer (inner dimensions 5,444 × 2,294 × 2,276 mm), boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only). That uses 84% of the 28.4 m³ available and weighs about 27,392 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.
Why does the payload limit matter for wine cases (12 × 750 ml)?
Geometrically 1,872 wine cases (12 × 750 ml) would fit, but at about 16 kg each the 20ft reefer's 27,400 kg payload is reached at 1,712. Heavy cargo fills the weight allowance before the space.
How was this number calculated?
By running the Cubestow 3D load-planning engine on the exact dimensions above, allowing rotation on the floor plane only, 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.