When to use this calculator
Order planning, container utilization checks, and freight cost estimation. Use it before confirming a PO that doesn't fit a clean container size.
Inputs explained
Units per carton and cartons per pallet describe your pack. Carton weight and empty pallet weight drive the gross-weight check. Container type sets default pallet-count and payload limits — override them if your carrier uses different ones. Target order quantity is what you intend to buy.
Outputs explained
Pallets needed and containers needed are rounded up. The tool also shows pallets per container limited by weight, not just floor space — heavy goods (drinks, canned food) often hit payload before they hit floor count.
Worked example
12 units/carton, 60 cartons/pallet → 720 units/pallet. A 40ft container fits 23 pallets at the floor limit, so 16,560 units/container. Order 18,000 units → you'd pay for two containers but only fill the second to ~10%. Either round down to one container or push to ~33,000 units.
Common mistakes
- Using floor-space pallet count without checking payload weight.
- Forgetting the empty pallet adds ~25 kg of dead weight per pallet.
- Mixing dry, chilled, and frozen goods on a single container plan.
- Ignoring overheight cartons that need a 40ft High Cube.