ULD Explorer

Air cargo, made visual

Unit Load Devices, side by side.

Pick any IATA ULD, spin it around in 3D, measure it, lay a second one over it, then fit your cargo into them.

Part 1Learn the ULDs
01

Explore & compare

Choose a ULD. Drag to rotate, scroll to zoom. Add a second ULD to overlay it. All dimensions are in centimetres (cm), weights in kilograms (kg).

Dimensions in cm
02

Reference

Every ULD in the atlas. Select a row to explore it, or add it to the comparison. Dimensions in centimetres (cm), weights in kilograms (kg) and pounds (lb).

Reading an IATA ULD code
A1st letter · category

A certified container · D non-certified container · P certified pallet · R thermal container · H horse stall

K2nd letter · base size

A 318×224 · K 156×153 · L 318×153 · M 318×244 · P 153×119 · Q 244×153 · R 498×244 · G 606×244 cm

E3rd letter · contour & fit

Describes the outline and handling features, such as a lower-deck overhang or fork-lift pockets. Meaning varies by type.

Dimensions, weights and aircraft layouts are typical published values, simplified for learning. Certified limits vary by manufacturer, operator and position. Container volume is usable internal volume; pallet volume (≈) is the typical build-up envelope. Pallet contour codes (LD, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q7) differ between carriers; this site follows common usage. Always refer to the aircraft Weight & Balance Manual and the ULD's own placard. Where each figure comes from is listed under Sources.

Part 2Plan a shipment
03

Fit my cargo

Enter your pieces one by one, then pick a ULD to see how they load, or press Recommend to find the best ULD. Dimensions in centimetres (cm), weights in kilograms (kg).

 
Dimensions in cm
Send it to an airline

Download a PDF quote request with your shipment details, chargeable weight, the recommended ULDs and a load view.

04

Loadable volume

Why a shipment of 10 m³ can fill far more than 10 m³ of a ULD. Uses the pieces from Fit my cargo.

Gross volume is not loadable volume

Gross volume is simply length × width × height of each piece. It is what the shipper declares and what volumetric weight is based on.

Loadable volume is the space the pieces actually take up in a ULD. Space that nothing else can use counts against you:

  • Non-stackable pieces block everything above them, so they use their footprint × the full usable height.
  • Stackable pieces still leave a gap under the ceiling when their height doesn't divide the usable height evenly.
  • This side up pieces can't be turned to fit that gap better.
  • Not co-loadable pieces (segregated dangerous goods, valuables, shipper-exclusive) need a ULD of their own, so the whole ULD counts, however much space is left around them.
usable height do not stack lost stackable stackable gap

Per piece: footprint × usable height ÷ pieces per stack.
Pieces per stack = 1 if not stackable, otherwise how many fit in the usable height.
Not co-loadable: number of ULDs it needs × ULD volume.

Estimates for planning. Real build-ups also lose space to contours, nets and irregular shapes.

05

Sources

Where the figures on this site come from. They were checked against these published sources on . Where sources disagree, or a figure varies by model or aircraft, the ULD or aircraft note says so. A full record, with the value each source gives, is kept with the site's code so it survives if a source goes offline.

    Prepare quote request

    These details go at the top of the PDF. Pieces, ULDs and weights come from Fit my cargo.

    Special handling