Pallet calculator
A 40 × 30 × 20 cm carton fits 8 per layer on a 1200 × 800 mm EUR pallet, and with a 160 cm height limit that is 7 layers, 56 cartons (672 kg at 12 kg each). Change any number and the stack rebuilds.
Link a result: ?l=40&w=30&h=20&wt=12&pallet=eur&maxh=160 or ?unit=in&l=16&w=12&h=10&pallet=us
8 per layer × 7 layers, 672 kg load, 154.4 cm high.
- Per layer
- 8100 % of deck area
- Layers
- 77 fit by height
- Load weight
- 672 kg1,482 lb
- Stack height
- 154.4 cm60.8 in incl. pallet
- Deck used
- 100 %1.344 m³ of cartons
Same carton on every pallet
Your carton, upright, with your height and weight limits, on each standard footprint. Tap a row to load it above.
| Pallet | Per layer | Layers | Cartons per pallet | Deck used |
|---|
How the pallet maths works
The 40 × 30 × 20 cm example, line by line. Every result on the page is worked out the same way.
- Pallet deck
1200 × 800 mm, 14.4 cm deck height - Plain pattern A, 40 cm along 1200
⌊1200 ÷ 400⌋ × ⌊800 ÷ 300⌋ = 3 × 2 = 6 - Plain pattern B, 30 cm along 1200
⌊1200 ÷ 300⌋ × ⌊800 ÷ 400⌋ = 4 × 2 = 8 - Best two-block split
no split beats 8, so pattern B wins - Layers under 160 cm
⌊(1600 − 144) ÷ 200⌋ = ⌊7.28⌋ = 7 - Weight check
56 × 12 kg = 672 kg ≤ 1000 kg - Cartons per pallet
8 × 7 = 56
Two plain patterns, then every two-block split
Cartons stay upright. The calculator first tries the two plain patterns: every carton turned the same way, lengthwise or crosswise. Then it tries every split of the deck into two blocks with cartons turned differently in each, along both pallet edges, and keeps the best. Ties go to the simpler pattern, which is easier to stack and to check.
Layers and weight
Layers are the whole number that fits between the deck and your height limit. If a weight limit is set and the full stack would exceed it, the total is cut to the weight limit and the top layer is drawn part-full.
What it does not do
No overhang, no cartons on their side, no interlocking brick patterns. These keep the answer honest for most export cartons; a pallet pattern program can sometimes add one or two more.
Before you wrap the pallet
Keep cartons inside the deck
Overhang lets the corners take the load, and a carton loses much of its stacking strength when its edges are unsupported. Many carriers refuse overhanging pallets. This calculator never lets a carton overhang.
Columns are stronger, interlocks are steadier
Corner-on-corner columns keep a carton's walls loaded straight down, which is where its strength is. Interlocking (brick) layers tie the stack together but cost compression strength. Columns plus stretch wrap suit most export cartons.
Set the height from the next step
Racking beams, truck doors and containers set the limit. Around 1.6 to 1.8 m including the pallet is common for racking; two loaded pallets fit a high cube only if each is under about 1.34 m.
Cartons per pallet for common carton sizes
Upright cartons, stacked to 160 cm including the deck (14.4 cm EUR, 15 cm others). Each cell is per layer × layers = total; the best footprint for each size is in bold.
| Carton | EUR / EPAL1200×800 | ISO / UK1200×1000 | US GMA1219×1016 | Asia1100×1100 | Australia1165×1165 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 × 20 × 15 cm | 16 × 9 = 144 | 20 × 9 = 180 | 20 × 9 = 180 | 18 × 9 = 162 | 18 × 9 = 162 |
| 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 8 × 7 = 56 | 10 × 7 = 70 | 10 × 7 = 70 | 8 × 7 = 56 | 8 × 7 = 56 |
| 40 × 30 × 30 cm | 8 × 4 = 32 | 10 × 4 = 40 | 10 × 4 = 40 | 8 × 4 = 32 | 8 × 4 = 32 |
| 50 × 40 × 30 cm | 4 × 4 = 16 | 6 × 4 = 24 | 6 × 4 = 24 | 4 × 4 = 16 | 4 × 4 = 16 |
| 60 × 40 × 40 cm | 4 × 3 = 12 | 5 × 3 = 15 | 5 × 3 = 15 | 3 × 3 = 9 | 3 × 3 = 9 |
| 60 × 40 × 30 cm | 4 × 4 = 16 | 5 × 4 = 20 | 5 × 4 = 20 | 3 × 4 = 12 | 3 × 4 = 12 |
Next steps
Common questions
How many 40 × 30 × 20 cm cartons fit on a EUR pallet?
8 per layer. Turned with the 30 cm side along the 1200 mm edge, four fit along and two across, filling the 1200 × 800 mm deck exactly. With a 160 cm height limit including the 14.4 cm deck that is 7 layers, 56 cartons.
Does the calculator turn cartons on their side?
No. Cartons stay upright (this way up) and only rotate on the deck, which is how most cartons are meant to travel. To test a carton on its side, swap the height with the length or width.
What is a two-block pattern?
A layer split into two blocks, each with the cartons turned a different way, for example a few rows lengthwise and the rest crosswise. The calculator tries every such split along both pallet edges and keeps it only if it beats both plain patterns.
Should cartons overhang the pallet?
Normally no. Overhang crushes carton corners, weakens stacking strength and is often refused by carriers and warehouses. The calculator keeps every carton inside the deck.
What max height should I use?
Use the limit from your warehouse, carrier or container. Many networks work to around 1.6 to 1.8 m including the pallet, but there is no single rule; double stacking in a container needs each pallet at less than half the container's internal height.