Fabric Roll Container Loading Calculator
A 40HQ container holds about 76 m³ of internal volume. Fabric rolls are dense, cylindrical and stack predictably — so a professional loading plan can use 82–85% of that volume. Enter your roll face width and diameter below to calculate exactly how many rolls fit in a 20GP, 40GP or 40HQ container.
1. Container internal dimensions (industry standard)
| Container | Length (m) | Width (m) | Height (m) | Volume (m³) | Payload (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 5.90 | 2.35 | 2.39 | ≈ 33.2 | ≈ 28,200 |
| 40GP | 12.03 | 2.35 | 2.39 | ≈ 67.6 | ≈ 26,600 |
| 40HQ | 12.03 | 2.35 | 2.69 | ≈ 76.3 | ≈ 26,500 |
Never plan at 100% utilisation. Rolls cannot fill every corner and stacking patterns leave small gaps — a loading efficiency of 82–85% is the realistic planning figure. At 100% you risk a rejected load at the port.
2. Why fabric rolls load so efficiently
Unlike assembled furniture, fabric rolls contain no trapped air: the mill controls roll diameter, face width and winding tension, so each roll is a dense, predictable cylinder. The practical effect:
- A 40HQ carries roughly 230–240 rolls of a typical 35 cm × 220 cm roll (≈0.27 m³ each)
- Sea-freight cost per metre drops sharply with a full container
- Rolls stack stably — a well-planned load arrives undamaged
3. Interactive calculator
Estimate based on roll bounding-box volume. Weight check: ensure total payload stays under the container limit. Your supplier's loading plan should confirm the final figure per fabric.
4. Worked example
A typical outdoor fabric roll of 35 cm diameter × 220 cm face width = 0.35 × 2.2 × 0.35 ≈ 0.27 m³. With a 40HQ at 84% efficiency: 76.3 × 0.84 ÷ 0.27 ≈ 237 rolls. At about 40 m per roll that is roughly 9,500 linear metres of fabric per 40HQ — the kind of number that decides your landed cost.
Frequently asked questions
How many fabric rolls fit in a 40ft container?
A 40HQ container has an internal volume of about 76 m³ (12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m). With practical loading efficiency of 82–85%, and a typical roll of about 0.27 m³ (35 cm diameter × 220 cm face width), you can fit roughly 230–240 rolls per 40HQ depending on roll dimensions.
What is the internal size of a 40HQ container?
Standard 40HQ internal dimensions are approximately 12.03 m long × 2.35 m wide × 2.69 m high, with a usable internal volume of about 76.3 m³ and a payload of roughly 26,500 kg.
Why do fabric rolls load efficiently into containers?
Fabric rolls are dense, cylindrical and stack predictably — there is no trapped air as in a sofa. Because the mill controls roll diameter, face width and winding tension, a professional loading plan can use 82–85% of the container volume consistently, making fabric one of the most container-efficient products to import.
How do I calculate how many rolls fit in a container?
Measure the packed roll dimensions — face width and diameter (or the carton/plywood box dimensions) — compute the bounding-box volume, then divide the container's usable volume (40HQ ≈ 76 m³ × 0.82–0.85 loading efficiency) by the roll volume. Use the calculator on this page for the exact figure.
What loading efficiency should I use?
A practical loading efficiency of 82–85% is standard because rolls cannot fill every corner perfectly and stacking patterns leave small gaps. Never plan at 100% utilisation — you risk a rejected load at the port.
Can different roll sizes be mixed in one container?
Yes. Mixing roll widths and diameters is standard practice and lets you consolidate several fabrics in one shipment. Use the calculator for each roll type and combine — but keep the total payload under the container's weight limit.
Need a confirmed loading plan for your fabric order?
Send your fabric list, roll sizes and metreage — we'll provide the exact per-container loading plan and freight estimate.
Request a Loading Plan