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Pallet Calculator

Work out how many cartons fit on a GMA or Euro pallet, how many pallets your order needs, and how many pallets fit a 53ft truck or 20ft/40ft container — all from your carton size and load height.

Pallet
Carton size
in

Cartons per pallet

45

Per layer

9

cartons

Layers

5

high

Pallets per load (single layer)

26

53ft truck

10

20ft container

20

40ft container

Free PDF includes a watermark. Pro removes it & adds your brand.

Dimensional estimate (uniform orientation; weight limits not factored). Confirm stack height and pallet weight limits with your carrier.

How cartons-per-pallet is calculated

Two numbers drive it: how many cartons fit one layer on the pallet footprint, and how many layers fit under your maximum load height.

cartons per pallet = cartons per layer × layers

Once you know pallet count, estimate the shipment’s class with the freight class calculator and the volume with the CBM calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How many boxes fit on a pallet?

It depends on the carton and pallet size. Boxes per layer = how many fit the pallet footprint in the best orientation; multiply by the number of layers that fit your max load height. A 16 × 12 × 12 in carton on a 48 × 40 GMA pallet fits about 9 per layer and 5 layers high — 45 cartons.

What is a standard pallet size?

The North American GMA pallet is 48 × 40 inches. The European (EUR/EPAL) pallet is 1200 × 800 mm (about 47.2 × 31.5 in). Pick the right base above, or enter custom dimensions.

How many pallets fit in a 53ft truck or 40ft container?

A 53ft trailer holds about 26–30 standard GMA pallets in a single floor layer; a 20ft container about 10–11 and a 40ft about 20–21. Double-stacking can roughly double these when product and height allow.

Does this account for weight limits?

Not yet — this is a dimensional estimate based on footprint and load height. Most pallets are limited to roughly 2,200–2,500 lb, so check that your stack stays within your carrier's and pallet's weight limit.