What is the Stretch Film Calculator?
Machine stretch wrappers pre-stretch film (often 150–300%) before applying it, so one roll wraps many more pallets than with hand wrap. The stretch film calculator estimates film length and weight per pallet from the pallet perimeter, load height, overlap, extra top and bottom wraps and pre-stretch.
For hand wrapping use the Pallet Wrap Calculator; for cartons per pallet see the Pallet Loading Calculator. All calculators accept centimetres, inches or millimetres and kilograms or pounds, so you can use the units on your supplier's spec sheet.
How to use the Stretch Film Calculator
- Enter pallet length, width and load height.
- Enter film width, thickness and pre-stretch %.
- Enter extra wraps at top and bottom.
- Read film per pallet, weight and rolls needed.
Formula
Film used = perimeter × wraps ÷ (1 + pre-stretch)
Example
A 120 × 100 cm pallet, 150 cm high, 50 cm film, 50% overlap and 200% pre-stretch uses about 4.5 m of unstretched film (about 85 g at 17 µm).
Pre-stretch saves money
A 200% pre-stretch turns 1 m of film into 3 m on the pallet. Higher pre-stretch reduces film cost per pallet but needs the right film grade and wrapper settings.
Related packaging and shipping tools
Packaging decisions are connected: the box size sets the volumetric weight, which sets the courier bill, and the carton size decides how many fit on a pallet or in a container. These related calculators help with the next step:
- Bubble wrap calculator: metres and rolls needed.
- Pallet wrap calculator: hand wrap per pallet.
- Shrink wrap calculator: film size and rolls.
- Packaging tape calculator: tape per box and rolls.
- Packaging material calculator: board, tape and void fill.
Frequently asked questions
How much stretch film per pallet?
Usually 100–300 g depending on height, wraps and pre-stretch.
What is pre-stretch?
Stretching the film before it touches the load, which multiplies its length.
What thickness is common?
17–23 microns for machine film.
How many pallets per roll?
Shown in the result based on roll length.
Is hand wrap different?
Yes, it stretches less; use the pallet wrap calculator.
Is the Stretch Film Calculator free to use?
Yes. The Stretch Film Calculator on Custom Converter is completely free, with no sign-up, no daily limit and no watermark.
Does the Stretch Film Calculator work on mobile phones?
Yes. It is built mobile-first and works on Android phones, iPhones, tablets and computers in any modern browser, with no app to install.