# Pallet calculator

A 40 × 30 × 20 cm carton fits 8 per layer on a 1200 × 800 mm EUR pallet; with a 160 cm height limit (including the 14.4 cm deck) that is 7 layers and 56 cartons (672 kg at 12 kg each).

Interactive calculator: https://cartonmath.com/pallet-calculator/
URL parameters: unit=cm|in, l, w, h (carton), wt (per carton, kg or lb), pallet=eur|uk|us|asia|au|custom, pl, pw, deck (pallet, in the same length unit), maxh (max height incl. pallet), maxwt (max load).
Example: https://cartonmath.com/pallet-calculator/?l=40&w=30&h=20&wt=12&pallet=eur&maxh=160&maxwt=1000

## Worked example

1. Pallet deck: 1200 × 800 mm, 14.4 cm deck height
2. Plain pattern A, 40 cm along 1200: ⌊1200 ÷ 400⌋ × ⌊800 ÷ 300⌋ = 3 × 2 = 6
3. Plain pattern B, 30 cm along 1200: ⌊1200 ÷ 300⌋ × ⌊800 ÷ 400⌋ = 4 × 2 = 8
4. Best two-block split: no split beats 8, so pattern B wins
5. Layers under 160 cm: ⌊(1600 − 144) ÷ 200⌋ = ⌊7.28⌋ = 7
6. Weight check: 56 × 12 kg = 672 kg ≤ 1000 kg
7. Cartons per pallet: 8 × 7 = 56

## Method

Cartons stay upright. Per layer = best of the two plain orientations and every two-block guillotine split of the deck along either edge. Layers = floor((max height − deck height) ÷ carton height). Total = per layer × layers, cut to floor(max load ÷ carton weight) when a weight limit applies. No overhang.

## Cartons per pallet (upright, 160 cm max height incl. pallet)

| Carton (cm) | EUR / EPAL 1200x800 | ISO / UK 1200x1000 | US GMA 1219x1016 | Asia 1100x1100 | Australia 1165x1165 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 × 20 × 15 cm | 16 x 9 = 144 | 20 x 9 = 180 | 20 x 9 = 180 | 18 x 9 = 162 | 18 x 9 = 162 |
| 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 8 x 7 = 56 | 10 x 7 = 70 | 10 x 7 = 70 | 8 x 7 = 56 | 8 x 7 = 56 |
| 40 × 30 × 30 cm | 8 x 4 = 32 | 10 x 4 = 40 | 10 x 4 = 40 | 8 x 4 = 32 | 8 x 4 = 32 |
| 50 × 40 × 30 cm | 4 x 4 = 16 | 6 x 4 = 24 | 6 x 4 = 24 | 4 x 4 = 16 | 4 x 4 = 16 |
| 60 × 40 × 40 cm | 4 x 3 = 12 | 5 x 3 = 15 | 5 x 3 = 15 | 3 x 3 = 9 | 3 x 3 = 9 |
| 60 × 40 × 30 cm | 4 x 4 = 16 | 5 x 4 = 20 | 5 x 4 = 20 | 3 x 4 = 12 | 3 x 4 = 12 |

## FAQ

**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.

Source page: https://cartonmath.com/pallet-calculator/
Updated: 2026-10-06
Publisher: CartonMath (https://cartonmath.com)