What is the Pallet Loading Calculator?
Palletising cartons well saves money on every shipment. The pallet loading calculator works out how many cartons fit on each layer of a pallet, how many layers fit under the height limit and the total per pallet, checking the weight limit too.
Standard pallets are 120 × 100 cm (common in Asia and the Gulf) and euro pallets 120 × 80 cm. To see how many pallets fit in a container next, use the Pallet Capacity 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 Pallet Loading Calculator
- Enter the carton dimensions and weight.
- Choose the pallet size.
- Set the maximum height and weight.
- Read cartons per layer, layers and total.
Formula
Per layer = best of floor(P_L ÷ l) × floor(P_W ÷ w) in both orientations · Layers = floor((max height − pallet height) ÷ h)
Example
Cartons of 40 × 30 × 25 cm on a 120 × 100 cm pallet: 10 per layer, 6 layers under 165 cm, 60 cartons per pallet.
Pallet tips
- Do not let cartons overhang the pallet edge; it weakens them.
- Interlock layers for stability where possible.
- Keep the load under about 1,000 kg for most racking.
- Wrap with the Pallet Wrap Calculator to secure the load.
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:
- Container loading calculator: cartons per 20ft or 40ft container.
- Pallet capacity calculator: pallets per container.
- Container volume calculator: container sizes and CBM.
- CBM calculator: cubic metres for a shipment.
- Carton size calculator: master carton for inner boxes.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes fit on a pallet?
Enter the carton size; the calculator gives the total.
What is a standard pallet size?
120 × 100 cm; the euro pallet is 120 × 80 cm.
How high can a pallet be?
Often 150–180 cm including the pallet, depending on the warehouse and transport.
How tall is the pallet itself?
About 14–15 cm.
Does it mix orientations?
It tests both orientations for each layer.
Is the Pallet Loading Calculator free to use?
Yes. The Pallet Loading Calculator on Custom Converter is completely free, with no sign-up, no daily limit and no watermark.
Does the Pallet Loading 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.