Pallet Calculator

Calculate how many boxes fit on a standard pallet from box and pallet dimensions, and how many pallets are needed for a given shipment.

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Units

Pallet dimensions
Box dimensions

Loading Result

45 boxes/pallet

Boxes per layer 9
Layers 5

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Logistics

Pallet calculator: boxes per pallet and pallets per shipment

A pallet calculator works out how many boxes fit on a single pallet given the pallet footprint and the box dimensions, and then calculates the number of pallets needed to ship a given quantity. It also optionally estimates total weight per pallet.

How pallet loading is calculated

Boxes are arranged in layers on the pallet footprint. The number of boxes per layer is found by dividing the pallet length and width by the box length and width respectively and taking the floor of each result. The calculator automatically tries both orientations of each box to find the arrangement that fits the most per layer.

The number of layers is the floor division of the maximum stack height by the box height. Total boxes per pallet is boxes per layer multiplied by layers.

Boxes per layer = ⌊Pallet L / Box L⌋ × ⌊Pallet W / Box W⌋

Floor division ensures only whole boxes are counted. Both orientations are tried.

Layers = ⌊Max stack height / Box height⌋

Number of complete box layers within the permitted height.

Pallets needed = ⌈Total boxes / Boxes per pallet⌉

Ceiling division rounds up to the next whole pallet.

Standard pallet sizes

The most common pallet in Europe is the EUR or EPAL pallet at 1200 × 800 mm. North America most commonly uses the 48 × 40 inch (1219 × 1016 mm) GMA pallet. The standard maximum height for a loaded pallet, including the pallet itself, is typically 1200–1500 mm depending on warehouse and transport requirements.

For road freight in the UK, standard pallet heights are 1200 mm for a quarter-pallet, and up to 1800–2200 mm for a full high-load pallet. Container loads may be limited further by container internal height.

Frequently asked questions

Does the calculator account for pallet height?

The maximum stack height input should be the total height from the floor including the pallet itself, or the nett stacking height above the pallet surface — whichever you find easier to work with. Just be consistent when entering your pallet and box heights.

 What about mixed box sizes?

This calculator assumes all boxes are the same size. For mixed loads, calculate each box type separately and combine the pallet counts manually, or use specialist warehouse management software that handles mixed palletisation.

 Can boxes be rotated on the pallet?

Yes — the calculator tries both orientations (length along the pallet length or along the pallet width) and uses whichever fits more boxes per layer. Height rotation is not considered as boxes are assumed to sit base-down.

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