Pallet calculator: how many boxes fit on a pallet, stacking pattern and pallet volume in m³
Pick a pallet, enter the box size and the height limit — the calculator works out how many boxes fit per layer and per pallet, compares four stacking patterns, checks the weight and the strength of the bottom row, and shows the pallet volume in m³ and where the tier sheets go.
Sizes in millimetres, weight in kilograms. Everything is calculated in your browser — no data is sent anywhere.
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Choose the pallet: the 1200×800 euro pallet, the 1200×1000 pallet, the 1100×1100 Asian pallet, the 1200×900 industrial or the 1200×1200 square pallet — or enter your own size, deck height and weight. Then enter the outer size and gross weight of the box, the maximum height including the pallet, and the weight limit. The height is easiest to take from the vehicle: the “Euro truck · 2.7 m”, “Container · 2.39 m” and “HC container · 2.69 m” buttons fill it in for you; if the pallets travel two or three high, set that in “Pallets stacked”.
The calculator shows how many boxes fit in one layer, how many layers fit in the height and how many boxes go on the whole pallet, then checks the gross weight and the strength of the bottom row. Tick “Can lie on its side” only for goods without a “This side up” mark. Overhang adds area, but boxes sticking out past the deck edge lose strength and get crushed during handling.
How the calculator builds the pattern
First the boxes are laid out in one layer across the deck, allowing for overhang: a simple grid, mixed rows, blocks in two orientations and a pinwheel. Then it counts how many layers fit in the height together with the pallet and the tier sheets, and checks the weight and the strength of the bottom row. The last layer may be partial if the weight limit is reached first.
Column stacking puts boxes exactly on top of each other: the corners carry the load, so stacking strength is highest, but without sheets the stack can spread. Interlock (brick) alternates two different layers like brickwork: the pallet is more stable, but the corners no longer line up and compression strength falls — the calculator assumes a 40% loss. Block places boxes in two orientations inside identical layers. Pinwheel arranges four blocks around the centre, mirrored every other layer.
The BCT check compares the weight of everything above the bottom box (including pallets stacked on top) with the box compression strength divided by the safety factor. If the box is not strong enough, the calculator removes layers and shows the BCT needed for one more.
Pallet volume in m³ (CBM): table for a 1200×800 euro pallet
The volume of a loaded pallet is length × width × total height including the pallet. For a 1.2 × 0.8 m euro pallet every metre of height is 0.96 m³. The table answers “how many CBM are N pallets” for three common heights; the floor area assumes no gaps between pallets.
| Pallets | up to 1.2 m, m³ | up to 1.5 m, m³ | up to 1.8 m, m³ | Floor area, m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.15 | 1.44 | 1.73 | 0.96 |
| 2 | 2.30 | 2.88 | 3.46 | 1.92 |
| 3 | 3.46 | 4.32 | 5.18 | 2.88 |
| 4 | 4.61 | 5.76 | 6.91 | 3.84 |
| 5 | 5.76 | 7.20 | 8.64 | 4.80 |
| 6 | 6.91 | 8.64 | 10.37 | 5.76 |
| 8 | 9.22 | 11.52 | 13.82 | 7.68 |
| 10 | 11.52 | 14.40 | 17.28 | 9.60 |
| 12 | 13.82 | 17.28 | 20.74 | 11.52 |
| 15 | 17.28 | 21.60 | 25.92 | 14.40 |
| 20 | 23.04 | 28.80 | 34.56 | 19.20 |
| 26 | 29.95 | 37.44 | 44.93 | 24.96 |
| 33 | 38.02 | 47.52 | 57.02 | 31.68 |
For a 1200×1000 pallet multiply the values by 1.25, for 1200×1200 by 1.5. The exact volume of your pallet is shown in the calculator result.
Pallet sizes and load capacity
| Pallet | Size, mm | Deck height | Pallet weight | Load used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet EPAL (EUR) | 1200 × 800 | 144 mm | 25 kg | 1,500 kg |
| 1200×1000 (FIN, EUR 2) | 1200 × 1000 | 144 mm | 33 kg | 1,250 kg |
| Asian ISO | 1100 × 1100 | 150 mm | 28 kg | 1,500 kg |
| Industrial | 1200 × 900 | 144 mm | 28 kg | 1,500 kg |
| Square | 1200 × 1200 | 144 mm | 35 kg | 1,500 kg |
| US GMA | 1219 × 1016 (48 × 40″) | 140 mm | 17 kg | 1,134 kg |
Deck height and pallet weight are typical values and vary by manufacturer. Enter your own pallet with “+ Custom size”.
Tier sheets and wrapping
A board sheet on the deck under the first layer protects the box bottoms from gaps and splinters. In a column stack the layers are not tied together, so a sheet every 2–3 layers keeps the load from spreading; the top sheet spreads the pressure of the stretch wrap and strapping. The calculator includes the thickness and weight of the sheets in the pallet height and weight and counts how many you need.
Other calculators
3D truck loading plan — lays pallets and boxes out in the trailer and checks the axle loads. Cargo volume and LDM calculator — cubic metres and loading metres for a shipment. Box in a box — how many small boxes fit in a master carton. Air weight — volumetric weight for air freight.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes fit on a 1200×800 euro pallet?
It depends on the box size and the allowed height. With a total height of up to 1.8 m including the pallet: a 600×400×400 mm box — 16 boxes (4 per layer × 4 layers), 400×300×300 — 40 (8 × 5), 300×200×200 — 128 (16 × 8), 380×280×220 — 56 (8 × 7). Enter your own sizes — the pallet calculator compares four stacking patterns and picks the one that holds the most boxes.
How many boxes of A4 paper fit on a pallet?
A box of five reams of A4 is about 297×210×250 mm and 12.5 kg. A 1200×800 euro pallet with a 1.8 m height limit takes 78 boxes: 13 per layer, 6 layers — about 390 reams and one tonne gross. With a 1.4 m limit it is 65 boxes. Box sizes differ by a centimetre or two between mills, so enter yours: the difference can be a whole row.
How do I calculate the volume of a loaded pallet in m³?
Multiply the pallet length and width by the total height including the pallet, all in metres. A 1.2 × 0.8 m euro pallet loaded to 1.8 m: 1.2 × 0.8 × 1.8 = 1.728 m³. If boxes overhang the edge, use the overhang dimensions. The calculator shows the loaded pallet volume in the result.
How many CBM is a euro pallet, 10 pallets or 12 pallets?
A euro pallet loaded to 1.8 m is 1.73 m³; to 1.5 m — 1.44 m³; to 1.2 m — 1.15 m³. 10 pallets at 1.8 m are 17.3 m³, 12 pallets — 20.7 m³, 33 pallets (a full euro truck) — 57 m³. An empty 1200×800×144 mm pallet takes up 0.14 m³. More values are in the table on this page.
Which pallet stacking pattern should I choose?
Column stacking — box exactly on box: the corners line up and carry the load, so stacking strength is highest, but the layers are not tied together, so you need tier sheets and stretch wrap. Interlock, like brickwork, keeps the pallet more stable in transit, but compression strength drops by about 40%. Block and pinwheel help when the box divides the pallet awkwardly. The calculator works out all four and marks the best one.
How many layers can the bottom box carry (BCT)?
BCT is the box compression strength; it is on the box specification or can be estimated with the McKee formula from the board ECT. The weight of everything above the bottom box multiplied by the safety factor (×3 — short transport, ×4–5 — warehouse, ×6 — cold store and damp) must stay below the BCT. If the box is not strong enough, the calculator removes layers and shows the BCT needed for the next one.
What is the maximum load of a euro pallet?
An EPAL 1200×800 euro pallet takes 1,500 kg spread evenly over the deck. When pallets are stacked, the bottom one on a flat floor carries up to 4,000 kg. For the 1200×1000 pallet the calculator uses 1,250 kg by default — check the exact value on the pallet marking.
How many pallets fit in a truck?
A 13.6 × 2.45 m euro trailer takes 33 euro pallets 1200×800 or 26 pallets 1200×1000 in a single layer. To lay the pallets out in the trailer, stack them and check the axle loads, use the 3D truck loading plan; loading metres are worked out by the volume and LDM calculator.