Pallet calculator: how many boxes fit on a pallet?

Enter the box size and your pallet’s height and maximum load height. The calculator gives boxes per layer, layers and total boxes, with no overhang.

Measurement unit

Unit for box, pallet and height fields

InchesCentimetres

Applies to the box size, custom pallet size, pallet height and maximum load height. Changing it does not convert numbers already typed. Weight units are set under the weight estimate.

Load exampleFills in a 12 × 12 × 12 in box on a 48 × 40 in pallet (6 in pallet, 60 in maximum height). Test values, not recommended limits.

Box

Box length

Box width

Box height

Stays vertical unless you allow boxes on their sides.

Pallet and height limit

Pallet size

48 × 40 in (GMA pallet)42 × 42 in48 × 48 in48 × 42 in40 × 40 in48 × 45 in44 × 44 in36 × 36 in48 × 36 in1200 × 800 mm (EUR 1)1200 × 1000 mm (EUR 2 / ISO)1100 × 1100 mm1165 × 1165 mmCustom size

Pallet height

Measure your own pallet; there is no default.

Maximum load height, including the pallet

Your carrier, receiver or vehicle limit.

Allow boxes on their sidesTests all three vertical orientations and uses the one with the most boxes. Only enable if the contents and packaging permit it.

Estimate loaded weight (optional)

Weights only add a total weight to the result and a warning if it is over your maximum. They do not change the number of boxes.

Weight of one box

Pallet weight

Maximum total weight

Weight unit

Pounds (lb)Kilograms (kg)

Calculate

Enter the box size, pallet height and maximum load height to see the result.

How the calculator works

Everything is converted to inches (25.4 mm per inch, exactly). The number of layers is the whole number of box heights that fit between the pallet and the maximum load height: layers = floor((maximum height − pallet height) ÷ vertical box side).

For each layer the tool tries a block of boxes lined up one way and fills the remaining length with boxes turned 90°, for every possible split, on both orientations of the pallet, and keeps the best count. That includes the plain grids. Boxes never overhang the pallet. Total boxes is boxes per layer times layers; floor use is the box footprint times boxes per layer divided by the pallet area.

Boxes per layer and layers are also called Ti and Hi in warehouse paperwork: Ti is boxes in one layer, Hi is the number of layers.

Worked example

A 12 × 12 × 12 in carton on a 48 × 40 in pallet with a 6 in pallet height and a 60 in maximum load height (test inputs, not recommendations): 12 cartons per layer, 4 layers, 48 cartons in total, 54.0 in load height including the pallet.

The table shows the same pallet and limits with other carton sizes. The carton sizes are illustrative, not standard sizes.

What to check before you rely on the number

• The maximum load height and weight your carrier, receiver or vehicle allows. The calculator has no built-in limits.
• Whether the receiver accepts overhang, which the calculator does not allow.
• Whether the boxes can be stacked that high without crushing, and whether they can sit on their sides.
• Mixed products, slip sheets, corner boards and wrap are not modelled.

Limits

This is a geometric estimate for identical boxes, not a load plan. A real pattern may be better or worse than the count shown, for instance when a pinwheel arrangement fits one more box. Confirm with whoever receives the freight. For pallet sizes, see the size table; for stacking in vehicles, see pallets per trailer and pallets per container; for what a loaded pallet weighs, see pallet weight.