Pallet Quantity Calculator

Work out pallet quantity instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Pallet Quantity Calculator

Pallet count depends on orientation: a 40 ft container takes 25 Euro pallets loaded lengthwise but only 20 loaded crosswise. Testing both patterns and taking the better is the whole trick, and mixed patterns can occasionally do better still.

Formula

Pallet fit

straight = floor(L/pl) x floor(W/pw); rotated swaps the pallet dimensions; take the larger

Worked example

With the default values below, Pallet Quantity Calculator returns Pallets that fit of 20. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Floor length: 12.03 m
Floor width: 2.35 m
Pallet length: 1.2 m
Pallet width: 0.8 m

Results

Pallets that fit: 20 pallets
Straight pattern count: 20 pallets
Rotated pattern count: 15 pallets
Floor utilisation: 67.92% %

Step by step

1Values used
2Pallet fit
3Pallets that fit= 20 pallets
4Straight pattern count= 20 pallets
5Rotated pattern count= 15 pallets
6Floor utilisation= 67.92 %

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Euro and industrial pallets differ so much?

The 1200 x 800 mm Euro pallet suits European road trailers; the 1200 x 1000 mm industrial pallet fits ISO containers more efficiently. Neither is optimal for both.

Can I mix orientations?

Yes, and pinwheel patterns sometimes gain a pallet. It complicates loading and restraint, so it is used mainly when the gain is worth it.