Pallet Calculator
See how many cartons fit on a standard pallet from your box size, pallet footprint, and maximum safe stacking height.
Reviewed by the CalcCafe editorial team · Last updated 1 July 2026 · How we test our tools
Example
A 12 × 10 in carton on a 48 × 40 in pallet fits floor(48÷12) × floor(40÷10) = 4 × 4 = 16 cartons per layer. At 8 in tall with a 60 in maximum stack you get floor(60÷8) = 7 layers, for a total of 16 × 7 = 112 cartons per pallet.
How it works
Cartons per layer = floor(pallet length ÷ carton length) × floor(pallet width ÷ carton width). Layers = floor(max stack height ÷ carton height). Cartons per pallet = cartons per layer × layers. Each term is floored because partial boxes cannot be used.
Good to know
Fitting cartons onto a pallet is really two separate puzzles: how many boxes cover the deck in one layer, and how many layers you can safely stack before hitting a height or weight limit. This tool handles both with plain floor division, so the count only ever includes whole cartons that genuinely fit within the footprint and the stack height you give it.
The single-orientation assumption is the big simplification to keep in mind. Real pallet patterns often rotate alternate boxes or use interlocked "brick" layers to lock the load together and squeeze out extra units — a 48 × 40 in deck, the standard GMA footprint used across much of North American shipping, frequently accepts a smarter arrangement than a straight grid. Treat the result as a conservative baseline; a pallet-pattern optimizer or a quick sketch on graph paper may reveal a few more per layer.
Height is usually the constraint that decides your layer count, and it is worth setting deliberately. Warehouses, trucks, and racking all impose maximum load heights, and heavier products may cap you well below the physical ceiling to stay within a safe stacking weight. Measure from the top of the pallet deck to your allowed ceiling, not from the floor, and leave a little clearance for shrink wrap and slip sheets.
Use the numbers for quick planning — estimating how many pallets an order needs, checking whether a redesign of the carton saves a layer, or sanity-checking a supplier's stated case count. For binding freight quotes or racking limits, confirm against your carrier's and warehouse's actual specifications.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard pallet size this uses?
The defaults are 48 × 40 inches, the GMA/standard footprint common in North American shipping, with a 60 inch stack height. You can change all of these to match Euro pallets (about 47.2 × 31.5 in) or your own equipment.
Why does it ignore rotated or interlocked boxes?
It assumes every carton faces the same way in a simple grid, which is easy to verify and conservative. Interlocking or rotating boxes can often fit more per layer, so treat this as a minimum rather than a maximum.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No — this calculator runs entirely in your browser. Your inputs never leave your device, and it works offline once loaded.
Is this calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up and no limits.
People also ask
How many boxes fit on a pallet?
It depends on box and pallet size. Count how many boxes cover the deck in one layer (pallet length ÷ box length, times pallet width ÷ box width, both rounded down), then multiply by how many layers fit under your height limit.
How do you calculate cartons per layer?
Divide the pallet length by the carton length and the pallet width by the carton width, round each down to a whole number, then multiply the two results together to get cartons in a single layer.
How high can you stack a pallet?
Common shipping limits are around 60–72 inches including the pallet, but the real cap depends on your truck, racking, and the crush strength and weight of the product. Always use the lowest applicable limit.
How many square feet is a 40x48 pallet?
A 40 x 48 inch pallet has a deck area of 40 x 48 = 1,920 square inches, which is 1,920 / 144 = 13.33 square feet. That is the standard North American GMA pallet footprint this calculator uses by default. Warehouses often plan on about 15 sq ft per pallet position to allow for clearance between loads.
Is there a free pallet pattern generator available?
This calculator is a free tool for the most common case: identical cartons in a single orientation, counted with floor division per layer and per stack. A true pattern generator that rotates and interlocks boxes to squeeze in extra units is a more specialized piece of load-planning software, which is usually paid or offered in a limited free tier. For most shipping estimates the simple count here is close enough, and it errs on the safe side.
How do I calculate the cubic feet of a pallet?
Multiply length x width x height in inches and divide by 1,728 (the cubic inches in a cubic foot). A 48 x 40 in pallet stacked to 60 in is 48 x 40 x 60 = 115,200 cubic inches, or 66.7 cubic feet; the empty wooden pallet itself at about 5.5 in tall is 48 x 40 x 5.5 / 1,728 = 6.1 cubic feet. Carriers use the loaded cube to work out dimensional weight and freight class.
How heavy is a 40x48 pallet?
An empty 48 x 40 in wooden pallet typically weighs about 35 to 50 lb, depending on the wood, board thickness and whether it is a lighter stringer or heavier block design; plastic pallets are often lighter. Loaded, a standard wooden pallet is commonly rated for around 4,600 lb evenly distributed, though warehouses and racking often set lower limits. Subtract the pallet's own weight when you compare a shipment against a truck or forklift capacity.
How many 40x48 pallets fit on a truck?
A 53 ft dry van holds 26 standard 48 x 40 in pallets in a straight load: two rows of 13, since 636 in / 48 in = 13.25 per row and two 40 in widths fit across the roughly 98 in interior. A 48 ft trailer holds 24 the same way. Turning the pallets to alternate orientations (pinwheeling) can raise a 53 ft trailer to around 28 to 30 if the loads are not too wide, and the weight limit, usually about 45,000 lb of cargo, can cap the count before the floor space does.
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Sources & references
These tools follow our methodology and provide educational estimates only — verify important figures with a qualified professional.