# ContainerMath

> ContainerMath is 3D container loading and cargo optimization software. It turns a cargo list (cartons, pallets, crates) into an optimized, exportable 3D load plan — computing how many items fit, their placement and loading order, CBM (volume), weight, payload and per-axle compliance across 50+ container, truck, rail and air vessel types. It pairs two linked tools: Carton Fit (how many retail units fit in a shipper carton) and Freight (how cartons and pallets load into containers). A free, no-signup CBM calculator is public; full 3D planning is on a free trial (no card) and paid plans from $39.99/mo.

## Product documentation

- [ContainerMath Documentation](https://containermath.com/guide): The complete product reference — the Freight and Carton Fit calculators, 3D load plans, weight & axle compliance, the equipment Optimizer, saved libraries (boxes, items, pallets, vessels), Stowy AI assistant, plans/pricing tiers and the developer API, with screenshots and an FAQ.

## Free tools

- [CBM Calculator](https://containermath.com/cbm-calculator): Free, no-signup calculator for cubic metres (CBM), cubic feet (CFT), cargo weight and container-volume utilisation across 20ft, 40ft and 40ft High Cube.
- [Container Dimensions Reference](https://containermath.com/container-dimensions): Internal/external dimensions, volume and payload for every container, trailer and rail-wagon type.

## Use inside an AI assistant (MCP)

ContainerMath is reachable over the Model Context Protocol, so an assistant can compute cargo
volume, pallet counts and vessel dimensions directly in a conversation. All three tools are free,
need no key and no signup.

- MCP endpoint: `https://mcp.containermath.com` (remote, Streamable HTTP, no authentication).
- Tool `calculate_cbm`: given a list of items (length, width, height, weight, quantity in metric or
  imperial), returns total CBM/CFT, total weight, and how the cargo fills a 20ft / 40ft / 40ft High
  Cube container. Volume math only — the same calculation as the free CBM Calculator above.
- Tool `how_many_pallets_fit`: given a vessel (slug or plain name such as "40HC" or "53ft trailer"),
  returns how many Euro (1200×800), standard (1200×1000) and US GMA (48×40in) pallets fit — the
  solved single-layer floor count with pallets in mixed orientations, not length ÷ length, so a 20ft
  returns 11 and a 40ft returns 25 — plus the double-stacked count with the load height it requires,
  and how many the payload allows at a given gross weight per pallet.
- Tool `get_container_dimensions`: interior length/width/height, volume, floor area and maximum
  payload for all 47 containers, trailers, rail wagons and air ULDs; call it with no arguments to
  list the catalog with each vessel's slug.
- Add it in Claude Code with `claude mcp add --transport http containermath https://mcp.containermath.com`,
  or as a custom connector in claude.ai, Claude Desktop or ChatGPT.
- Listed in the official MCP Registry as `com.containermath/cbm`.
- The full 3D load plan (placement, weight & axle) is on the authenticated REST API — see Developer API below.

## Guides

- [How Many Pallets Fit in a 40ft Container?](https://containermath.com/blog/how-many-pallets-fit-in-a-40ft-container): About 25 Euro or 20–21 standard pallets single-layer (up to ~50 double-stacked) — the math, dimensions and weight limits.
- [How Many Pallets Fit in a 20ft Container?](https://containermath.com/blog/how-many-pallets-fit-in-a-20ft-container): About 11 Euro or 9–10 standard pallets single-layer, and why a 20ft suits heavy, dense cargo.
- [How Many Boxes Fit in a Container?](https://containermath.com/blog/how-many-boxes-fit-in-a-container): The volume-÷-box formula, a size-by-size table, and the weight limit most people miss.
- [How to Calculate CBM for Shipping](https://containermath.com/blog/how-to-calculate-cbm-for-shipping): CBM = length × width × height in metres; worked examples, unit conversions, and chargeable weight.
- [Shipping Container Dimensions](https://containermath.com/blog/shipping-container-dimensions): Internal, external and door dimensions plus volume for 20ft, 40ft, 40ft High Cube and 45ft.
- [Container Weight Limits & Max Payload](https://containermath.com/blog/container-weight-limits-max-payload): Max gross vs tare vs payload vs VGM, and why you rarely get to load the full payload.
- [Truck Axle Weight Limits](https://containermath.com/blog/truck-axle-weight-limits): Gross vs per-axle limits, the Federal Bridge Formula, and why distribution matters as much as total weight.
- [How to Make a Container Loading Plan](https://containermath.com/blog/how-to-make-a-container-loading-plan): The four inputs and the steps to a placement plan with a loading sequence.
- [Container Load Optimization: Maximize Space](https://containermath.com/blog/container-load-optimization-maximize-space): Moving real utilisation from a hand-planned ~75–80% toward ~90%+.
- [How to Reduce Container Shipping Costs](https://containermath.com/blog/reduce-container-shipping-costs): Seven levers, all rooted in filling each container properly.
- [LCL vs FCL: When to Switch](https://containermath.com/blog/lcl-vs-fcl-when-to-switch): The ~13–15 CBM crossover where a full container beats per-CBM LCL.
- [Best Container Loading Software in 2026](https://containermath.com/blog/best-container-loading-software): Honest comparison of ContainerMath vs EasyCargo, Cargo-Planner and CubeMaster — features, weight handling, import, API and pricing.
- [Container Loading Software: Buyer's Guide](https://containermath.com/blog/container-loading-software-buyers-guide): The 8 capabilities that separate a real load planner from a volume estimator.
- [ContainerMath vs EasyCargo (2026)](https://containermath.com/blog/containermath-vs-easycargo): Per-seat vs flat workspace pricing, AI import, carton packing and compliance — and the two cases where EasyCargo genuinely wins.
- [Container Loading Software Pricing in 2026](https://containermath.com/blog/container-loading-software-pricing): Real prices for ContainerMath, EasyCargo, Cargo-Planner, Cube-IQ and CubeMaster — and why the pricing model (per seat, flat, day tickets, quote-only) matters more than the sticker.
- [How Many Pallets Fit in a 53ft Trailer?](https://containermath.com/blog/how-many-pallets-fit-in-a-53ft-trailer): 26 standard pallets floor-loaded (13 per side), up to 52 double-stacked — and why axle weight, not floor space, usually binds first.
- [Reefer Container Dimensions & Loading](https://containermath.com/blog/reefer-container-dimensions-and-loading): Real internal dimensions and payloads for 20ft/40ft reefers, plus the T-floor and red-load-line rules that govern refrigerated stows.
- [Dimensional Weight vs Actual Weight](https://containermath.com/blog/dimensional-weight-vs-cbm-chargeable-weight): How chargeable weight works — the 1:6,000 air and 1:5,000 courier divisors, worked examples, and how to stop shipping air.
- [Container Weight Distribution & Center of Gravity](https://containermath.com/blog/container-weight-distribution-and-center-of-gravity): Why a load under its weight limit can still be illegal or unsafe, and how to balance front-to-back, side-to-side and CoG height.
- [Dangerous Goods Container Segregation](https://containermath.com/blog/dangerous-goods-container-loading-segregation): The IMDG segregation levels, why incompatible classes can't share a container, and how to plan keep-apart groups in.
- [AI Container Load Planning & Smart Input](https://containermath.com/blog/ai-container-load-planning-smart-input): Where AI helps (parsing a packing list, answering questions about your plan) and where a deterministic packing engine still does the math.
- [Commercial Invoice & Packing List for Export from India](https://containermath.com/blog/commercial-invoice-packing-list-export-india): Every mandatory field on an Indian export invoice and packing list — IEC, GSTIN, 8-digit ITC-HS codes, the LUT/IGST declaration and the INR exchange rate — and why documents bounce at customs or the bank.
- [3D Container Loading Calculator](https://containermath.com/blog/3d-container-loading-calculator): What a 3D calculator computes that volume division can't — placement coordinates, orientation and stacking limits — why its answer is 10–25% lower, and how to read the plan.
- [Air Cargo ULD Load Planning](https://containermath.com/blog/air-cargo-uld-load-planning): Building up a Unit Load Device — fuselage contour limits, why ULD weight is quoted gross of tare, the 6,000 cm³/kg volumetric divisor, and why aircraft weight and balance is a separate job.
- [Container Stuffing: Process, Plan and Paperwork](https://containermath.com/blog/container-stuffing-guide): Factory vs CFS stuffing, the stuffing plan, load sequence for multi-drop, weight distribution, securing, and the SOLAS Verified Gross Mass you must declare.
- [Truck Load Planning](https://containermath.com/blog/truck-load-planning): Why a trailer under its payload limit still fails a weighbridge — axle-group limits, where the centre of gravity belongs, last-in-first-out drop order, and what load-planning software must compute.
- [Reefer Container Weight and Capacity](https://containermath.com/blog/reefer-container-weight-and-capacity): Tare, max gross and payload for 20ft and 40ft reefers, why they carry more weight but less space than a dry box, the 433 kg/m³ break-even, and genset weight on the road leg.
- [How Many Pallets Fit on a Truck?](https://containermath.com/blog/how-many-pallets-fit-on-a-truck): Floor-loaded counts for 53ft and 48ft vans, 13.6 m curtainsiders, rigids, flatbeds and step-decks — with the payload-per-pallet figures that show why weight binds first.

## Comparisons

- [How ContainerMath compares](https://containermath.com/alternatives): Hub for honest, side-by-side comparisons with EasyCargo, Cargo-Planner, Cube-IQ, CubeMaster, CargoWiz, Goodloading and the SeaRates Load Calculator — including when each competitor is the better pick.
- [ContainerMath vs EasyCargo](https://containermath.com/compare/easycargo): Flat workspace pricing + AI import + carton-level packing vs EasyCargo's per-seat pricing and day tickets.
- [ContainerMath vs Cargo-Planner](https://containermath.com/compare/cargo-planner): Under half the subscription entry price ($39.99/mo vs ~$99/mo) with bundled compliance checks; Cargo-Planner stays stronger for over-gauge equipment and its embeddable 3D SDK.
- [ContainerMath vs Cube-IQ](https://containermath.com/compare/cube-iq): Transparent $39.99–$129/mo self-serve pricing vs Cube-IQ's quote-only enterprise motion; Cube-IQ wins deep WMS/TMS embedding.
- [ContainerMath vs CubeMaster](https://containermath.com/compare/cubemaster): The carton-to-container chain in one modern web tool vs CubeMaster's deep palletizing-pattern control and desktop licences.
- [ContainerMath vs CargoWiz](https://containermath.com/compare/cargowiz): Browser-based, subscription, with weight, axle and hazmat checks vs CargoWiz's one-time Windows licence and drag-and-drop editor.
- [ContainerMath vs Goodloading](https://containermath.com/compare/goodloading): Flat workspace price with AI import and carton-level packing vs Goodloading's per-user PRO subscription and its always-free demo.
- [ContainerMath vs SeaRates Load Calculator](https://containermath.com/compare/searates): A dedicated planner with saved plans, compliance checks and an API vs the freight marketplace's built-in stuffing tool and its free daily calculations.

## Case studies & use-case guides

- [Case studies index](https://containermath.com/case-studies): Customer stories and industry use-case guides — manufacturing, freight forwarding, furniture, F&B, e-commerce carton right-sizing, project-cargo flatbeds, dangerous-goods segregation, export documentation, and API/team integration.
- [From 4 Days in Excel to Minutes: a National Manufacturer](https://containermath.com/case-studies/from-4-days-in-excel-to-minutes-national-manufacturer): A manufacturer replaced a 4-day spreadsheet load-planning process with ContainerMath — minutes per shipment, ~20% better container utilisation, no rework.
- [Same-Day Container-Space Quotes for Freight Forwarders & 3PLs](https://containermath.com/case-studies/freight-forwarder-accurate-container-space-quotes): How forwarders quote how much fits a 20ft/40ft the same day — a shared box library of client SKUs, a confirmed 3D fit before quoting, and pricing space- vs weight-limited loads.
- [Loading Bulky Furniture into Export Containers](https://containermath.com/case-studies/furniture-exporter-loading-bulky-irregular-cargo): Modelling mixed flat-pack and assembled furniture in 3D before stuffing to use the full 40ft High Cube height (~18% more per container) and avoid a second container.
- [Weight-Limited Palletized F&B Loads](https://containermath.com/case-studies/food-beverage-exporter-weight-limited-pallet-loads): Planning dense canned/bottled cargo to the payload limit, not the walls — automatic pallet patterns and a balanced, road-legal load kept under weight.
- [From Container Plan to Filing-Ready Export Documents](https://containermath.com/case-studies/indian-exporter-container-plan-to-filing-ready-documents): How Indian exporters turn the cargo list built to plan the container into a Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Proforma and Invoice-cum-Packing-List without re-keying the shipment, catching missing mandatory fields before filing.
- [Right-Sizing Shipping Cartons to Cut Dimensional-Weight Costs](https://containermath.com/case-studies/ecommerce-brand-right-sizing-shipping-cartons): How e-commerce and D2C brands pick carton sizes that fit the product rather than the shelf, cutting dimensional-weight charges and void fill.
- [Loading Heavy Machinery and Out-of-Gauge Cargo onto Flatbeds](https://containermath.com/case-studies/machinery-exporter-flatbed-out-of-gauge-cargo): Planning oversized, over-height and over-width project cargo onto flatbeds and step-decks, with securing and centre-of-gravity checks before the load leaves.
- [Keeping Incompatible Dangerous Goods Apart in Every Container](https://containermath.com/case-studies/chemical-distributor-dangerous-goods-segregation): How chemical and DG distributors enforce IMDG segregation rules automatically so incompatible hazard classes are never planned into the same container.
- [Load Planning Inside Your Own ERP and TMS](https://containermath.com/case-studies/distributor-load-planning-api-shared-team-workspace): How distributors and 3PL tech teams call the load-planning engine from their own systems via the REST API and share one team workspace.

## Product & pricing

- [Container Loading (Freight)](https://containermath.com/container-loading): 3D freight load planning across 50+ vessels with payload, centre-of-gravity and per-axle checks.
- [Carton Fit](https://containermath.com/carton-fit): How many retail units fit in each shipper carton, with an exportable 3D/2D layout.
- [Export Documents](https://containermath.com/export-documents): Compliant export paperwork for 9 jurisdictions (India, EU, US, UK, UAE, Singapore, Australia, Canada + generic international) — Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Proforma and Invoice-cum-Packing-List — generated from a load plan's items with a live per-jurisdiction compliance checklist (IEC & GSTIN, EORI & VAT, EIN, HS-code depth, LUT, EEI/AES).
- [Pricing](https://containermath.com/pricing): Free trial (no card); a one-time 7-day pass at $9.99 (everything in Pro Plus for a week, one per customer per year); Starter $39.99/mo; Pro Plus $129/mo; Custom on request. Every paid plan includes both Carton Fit and freight stuffing.
- [Developer API](https://containermath.com/developer-api): Public REST API reference (cm_live_ keys) to call the packing engine from an ERP, TMS or CRM — authentication, endpoints, request/response fields, errors and per-plan quotas.
- [Embeddable Widget](https://containermath.com/embed-widget): A white-label 3D container calculator any site can embed with two lines of HTML — domain-locked publishable keys, custom theming, metered on the owner's plan (Pro Plus/Custom).