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Pallet Calculator: Boxes per Pallet

Find how many boxes fit on a pallet: boxes per layer, layers, stack height, load weight and footprint used, for standard or custom pallets.

in
in
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Box size
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in
in
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Boxes per pallet

45

Limited by the height limit

Boxes per layer

9

Layer pattern: 3 × 3

Layers

5

Stack height

56in

Load weight

1,125lb

Pallet area used

90%

Boxes = boxes per layer × layers; layers = (max height − pallet height) ÷ box height

Boxes stay upright, in neat rows, with no overhang. A mixed or pinwheel pattern can sometimes fit a few more per layer.

How many boxes fit on a pallet?

A pallet calculator tells you how many boxes fit on a pallet: how many per layer, how many layers under your height limit, and the total, capped by the weight limit if you set one. Shippers use it to plan loads, quote freight and order the right number of pallets.

How many boxes fit on a pallet?

  1. Boxes per layer: how many boxes fit on the pallet's top, trying both ways round.
  2. Layers: (maximum stack height minus pallet height) ÷ box height, rounded down.
  3. Total: boxes per layer × layers, reduced if the load would pass the weight limit.

Example: 16 × 12 × 10 in boxes on a 48 × 40 in pallet give 9 boxes per layer (3 × 3). With a 60 in limit and a 6 in pallet, that is 5 layers, so 45 boxes, 56 in tall.

Standard pallet sizes

PalletSizeUsed in
GMA48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm)United States, Canada
EUR / EPAL1200 × 800 mmEurope
ISO1200 × 1000 mmUK, Europe, Asia
Australian1165 × 1165 mmAustralia

Then check the freight class with the freight density calculator or the volume with the CBM calculator.

Copy the result, or save it as a PDF to attach to an email or a purchase file. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Features

  • GMA 48 x 40 in, EUR, ISO and more
  • Boxes per layer and layers
  • Height and weight limits
  • Stack height and load weight
  • Inches and pounds or cm and kg
  • Copy or PDF

Frequently asked questions

How many boxes fit on a 48 x 40 pallet?

It depends on the box size. Enter the box length, width and height and your height limit; the calculator tries both orientations and gives boxes per layer and in total.

What is the maximum height of a pallet?

Many LTL carriers accept around 72 in including the pallet, and warehouses often set 48 to 60 in. Ask your carrier.

Does the calculator allow overhang?

No. Boxes stay inside the pallet edges, which avoids damage and is what most carriers expect.

Is the calculator free?

Yes. No sign up. It runs in your browser, and you can copy the result or save it as a PDF.

Related tools

Freight Density CalculatorWork out freight density in pounds per cubic foot from the size and weight of a pallet or crate, with the estimated LTL freight class.Cubic Inches CalculatorFind the volume of a box in cubic inches from its length, width and height, with cubic feet, liters, gallons and cubic meters.Fuel Surcharge CalculatorWork out a trucking fuel surcharge from the current diesel price with a percentage table or the per mile method, and the freight total with it.Chargeable Weight CalculatorCompare gross and volume weight for air cargo or courier shipments and get the chargeable weight the airline or courier will bill.