Pallet Calculator

Work out boxes per layer, layers per pallet and total pallet weight, for a GMA, Euro or custom pallet.

Your numbers

Pallet and limits

Units

Pallet length

GMA/US pallet: 48 × 40 in (121.9 × 101.6 cm). EPAL Euro pallet: 120 × 80 cm.

Pallet width

Max stack height (above the pallet deck)

The load height allowed by your truck, container or racking, not counting the pallet itself.

Max weight on the pallet

Check your carrier and racking limits. About 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) is common for a standard wood pallet; an EPAL Euro pallet's safe working load is about 1,500 kg.

Box

Box length

Box width

Box height

Box weight

Your result · updates as you type

Boxes per pallet

9 boxes per layer (as entered) × 5 layers.

Boxes per layer (Ti): 9
Layers (Hi): 5
Total pallet weight: 404.2 kg

A solid use of the pallet's footprint and height. Always confirm your actual carrier and racking weight limits before you commit to a load plan.

Breakdown

Pallet footprint: 121.9 × 101.6 cm
Boxes per layer, straight: 9
Floor space used: 86.8%
Layers to the height limit: 5
Layers to the weight limit: 12
Layers used: 5
Total boxes: 45
Total weight: 404.2 kg (40% of the limit)
Stack height used: 124.5 cm of 136.9 cm (91%)

Ti × Hi: boxes per layer, times layers

Palletizers call this Ti × Hi: Ti is how many boxes fit on one layer (tries both orientations and picks the better one), and Hi is how many layers stack up before you hit the height or weight limit.

Boxes per pallet = Ti × Hi, where Hi = min(height limit ÷ box height, weight limit ÷ (Ti × box weight))

Example: the default numbers (48 × 40 in GMA pallet, 40 × 30 × 25 cm box, 9 kg)

Boxes per layer (Ti): 3 × 3 = 9, straight (not rotated)
Layers by height (137 cm limit): 137 ÷ 25 = 5
Layers by weight (1,000 kg limit): 1,000 ÷ (9 × 9 kg) = 12

Height is the limit here, not weight: 5 layers, 45 boxes, weighing 405 kg (40.5% of the weight limit). The pallet uses 87.2% of its floor space and 91.2% of its height.

A GMA (US) pallet is 48 × 40 in (121.9 × 101.6 cm). An EPAL Euro pallet is 120 × 80 cm, with a safe working load of about 1,500 kg. Both are common defaults in the calculator; switch Units and use the presets to try either.

Using the result

Weight-capped vs height-capped. If the weight limit stops you first, a lighter box or a higher-rated pallet gets you more per load. If height stops you first, only a shorter box or taller trailer helps.
Check with your carrier. Weight limits vary by pallet, truck axle rules and racking, so treat the default limit as a starting point, not a guarantee.
Feed it into the container or freight-class calculators. Once you know boxes per pallet, the container loading calculator tells you pallets per container, and the freight class calculator prices an LTL shipment of this pallet.

Questions people ask

What is Ti-Hi in shipping?

Ti is the number of boxes on one layer of a pallet, and Hi is the number of layers. Multiply them for the total boxes on the pallet.

What's the standard pallet size?

In North America, it's the 48 × 40 in GMA pallet. In Europe, it's the 120 × 80 cm EPAL Euro pallet. Both are common defaults here; switch units and use the presets to match either.

How much weight can a pallet hold?

It depends on the pallet and your racking or trailer. About 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) is a common working limit for a standard wood pallet; EPAL rates its Euro pallet to about 1,500 kg. Always confirm with your carrier.

Should I let boxes overhang the pallet edge?

This calculator assumes no overhang, which is the safer default for stacking and shrink-wrapping. Some warehouses allow a small overhang, but it raises the risk of crushed corners in transit.

Why does rotating the box change how many fit?

Turning the box 90° can use the pallet's footprint more efficiently when the box's length and width don't divide evenly into the pallet's. The calculator checks both orientations and picks whichever fits more.

Last reviewed 30 September 2026.

Sources: Mecalux: Euro pallet (EPAL) sizes and features