Count shipping containers in a yard from a photo
Works with JPG, PNG, WEBP · Free up to 20 MB, Premium 50 MB
Photograph the visible face of the stack or pallet straight-on — the AI estimates visible shipping containers; review and correct each face before combining rows. Built for warehouses, hauliers and logistics yards — review and correct each photo before adding it to a CSV or PDF tally.
- Review the photo, then count visible shipping containers
- Count without marking; add example boxes if you need a guided recount
- Stop counting the same shipping containers twice to be sure of the total
- Free to use · No signup required · Without watermark
Works with JPG, PNG, WEBP · Free up to 20 MB, Premium 50 MB
Upload Image
Tips for an accurate count
• Use an even, well-lit photo with the shipping containers fully in frame
• Check that each marked example boxes a whole shipping containers rather than a repeated part
• Dots and heatmap show retained detections — review and correct the tally
About the Shipping Containers Counter
The shipping containers counter counts visible shipping containers from your photo and marks detections for review. Auto mode uses the selected item name. For a guided recount, mark up to three examples of what you want counted. Visibility, overlap and similar-looking items can affect the total. Built for warehouses, hauliers and logistics yards.
How It Works
1. Photograph your shipping containers
2. Check that shipping containers is selected, then choose Count
3. Review the markers and correct the tally; add example boxes for a guided recount if needed
4. Add to the tally sheet and export your count as CSV
Perfect For
• Yard and terminal stack counts from a high vantage point
• Checking arrivals and departures against the yard system
• Depot capacity checks before accepting more units
• Draft figures for a terminal reconciliation
Counting shipping containers in a yard or depot stack
Container depots, terminals and storage yards count units to check arrivals and departures against the yard system and to know whether there is room to accept more. Containers stand in blocks several high and several deep, so a photo from ground level shows only the outer face. A high vantage point, such as an office roof or a drone flown over the block, shows far more.
From the side, count the container ends or doors in each stack; from straight above, count the roofs, where 20-foot and 40-foot units are clearly different lengths. Mark one example of each length so the Found per example list gives a separate figure for each. Adjacent units painted the same color merge at the seams, so look closely at the dots along each row. Inner rows hidden behind the face are not counted, and cranes, trucks or chassis in the frame should not hold dots.
Label tally rows by block and row so the next count follows the same layout, and sign in to save the stock-take to your account for comparison. Drone photos of a whole yard follow the same top-down rules as counting vehicles in a lot, and other large objects can be handled with the general object counter.
Frequently asked questions
- Can it count a full stack when some items are hidden?
- It can only estimate the visible photo content. For regular stacks, photograph and review each accessible face, correct the tally, and treat any multiplication by depth as an estimate. A marked image supports review but does not prove the physical quantity.
- What if the photo has more than just shipping containers in it?
- Auto mode uses the selected item name to find what to count. For a guided recount, mark one complete, clearly visible shipping containers — up to 3 examples for different-looking kinds. Similar-looking distractors can still affect the result, so review every marker before using the total.
- Can I count several photos into one total?
- Yes — count each photo and add every reviewed result to the tally sheet as a labelled row. If you use example boxes, mark them separately on each photo. Export the tally as CSV or a PDF report, or save it to your account.
- Is it free and private?
- Yes. You can count, review and download a free result without an account. Downloads are free without a watermark. No signup required. Server-processed photos are encrypted in transit and removed under our Security policy.
What you can do with Box & Carton Counter
Review the main capabilities before you begin.
- Count boxes and cartons on pallets and stacks
- Review truck-load and inbound-shipment estimates fast
- Inspect each counted-carton marker and correct the total
- Run a bulk audit across a warehouse photo set
- Add multiple stacks to one running tally
- Ignore small stray detections for accuracy
Settings reference
12 settings
Available controls for Box & Carton Counter.
Upload
- Single photo / Bulk auditPresets
- Choose a single-photo count or a Premium bulk audit. Review every result.Options: Single photoBulk audit
Count
- Add to tallyOne-click
- Add this photo as a row in the current stock-take.
- Counting modePresets
- Chooses the counting engine: Auto and Similar items count from your marked examples — mark 1 to 3, one complete box per different-looking kind; Distinct objects labels separate, fully visible items without an example.Options: AutoSimilar itemsDistinct objects
- Included markersSliderRange: 0–1 · Default: 0.21
- Starts at 21%; slide toward Show more to include weaker markers or Only strongest to hide them.
- Overlay stylePresets
- Choose dots, a heatmap, both or a clean preview.Options: BothDotsHeatNone
- What to countText input
- Names the item to count and comes pre-filled with boxes; clear or change it to count a different item in the photo.
- Detection sensitivitySliderRange: 0–1 · Default: 0.5
- Adjust detection sensitivity for larger or smaller visible items.
Examples
- Mark example boxesDraw on image
- Drag a tight box around one complete, clearly visible box. The counter uses it as a visual reference; review every result marker for lookalikes or missed items.
Tally
- LabelText input
- Rename this row so it is identifiable in the exported stock-take.
- CountNumber input
- Correct this row's count; totals and exports update automatically.
Advanced
- Result overlayDropdown
- Choose how count markers appear on the downloaded result.Options: Dots + heatmapDots onlyHeatmap only
- Ignore small detectionsSliderRange: 0–1 · Default: 0
- Ignore detections below the selected size.
Related tools for Box & Carton Counter
Tools for common next steps after Box & Carton Counter.
Counting & Inventory
Object Counter
Estimate an object count from a photo. Review and correct the numbered markers before using the count.
Try it now
Counting & Inventory
Live Object Counter
Aim your phone at separated, fully visible items and review the detector markers as the count updates in real time.
Try it now
Counting & Inventory
Bottle Counter
Count bottles on shelves, in crates, or in cold rooms from one photo, with counted detections marked for review.
Try it nowHow Box & Carton Counter helps you get it done
Real problems it solves every day — for businesses, creators, and everyday tasks. Find the use case that fits you and start.
Check In a Truck Load Against the Manifest
Photograph each pallet for a draft carton tally, then review the physical load, correct the markers, and complete the normal manifest check before goods-in sign-off.
Run Warehouse Cycle Counts from a Phone
Walk the aisles snapping each stack with your phone camera, add every count to the Tally sheet, and export the whole cycle count as a CSV or branded PDF at the end of the round.
Count a Multi-Site Dispatch in One Batch
Open Bulk audit to run Distinct objects mode across every pallet photo, then review every result before using the dispatch total.
Isolate One SKU on a Mixed Pallet
For one carton size or SKU, mark a complete carton in the Examples setting before counting, then review every marker for similar-looking boxes on the pallet.
Hand Off a Reviewed Count to Goods-In
After checking and correcting the tally against physical stock, save it and share a read-only link so the goods-in supervisor can review it. The marked image is not proof of quantity by itself.
Review an Outgoing Wholesale Order Before It Ships
Photograph packed cartons for a draft tally, then review the physical order, correct the markers, and complete the normal dispatch check before shipment.
Watch each transformation land
Every photo crosses the slash untouched and comes out the other side finished.
