20DC and 40HC Container Loading Calculator
Add your items to estimate volume, weight, floor space and the suitable container size: 20DC or 40HC.
Add your items and quantities. The calculator totals their volume and weight, checks floor space and door clearance, then indicates the suitable container size: 20DC or 40HC.
What do you want to load?
Enter your items and quantities. The results account for volume, weight, floor space, stackability and door clearance.
- Trades and construction sites
- General construction contractors
- Garages and tyre services
- Private individuals
- Removals
- Farming
- Winegrowers and fruit growers
- Heating and boiler rooms
- Retail and offices
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Food and beverage industry
20DC: 28.1 m³ · 28,200 kg · 40HC: 64.6 m³ · 28,600 kg
Compare container sizes
Compare the usable internal dimensions and external footprint of the two container sizes used by the calculator.
Understanding the results
Volume alone is not enough to validate a load. An item may fit within the total volume but fail to pass through the door, occupy too much floor space or exceed the payload capacity.
The calculator assesses these constraints separately. It provides a planning estimate; a final loading plan must use the actual dimensions and weight of each item.
Frequently asked questions
- How does the calculator choose between a 20DC and a 40HC?
- It checks 85% of usable volume, payload capacity, floor space, stackability and door clearance. The first container size that meets all constraints is recommended.
- Why does the calculator not fill 100% of the usable volume?
- Actual loads leave gaps between items and require some allowance for arranging them. The calculation therefore uses 85% of usable volume as a conservative assumption.
- Are the item weights and volumes guaranteed?
- No. They are indicative averages intended for project planning. Measure and weigh the actual items before confirming a load.
- Is door clearance checked?
- Yes, for items with known dimensions. The calculation compares their height and width with the door openings of the 20DC and 40HC.
- Does the calculator account for stackable items?
- Yes. Items marked as stackable can be loaded in multiple tiers when their height allows. Vehicles and non-stackable items remain limited to floor space.
- What should I do if multiple containers are recommended?
- Send MG-Atlantic the actual item list, dimensions, weights and handling constraints so we can prepare a suitable solution.