Pallet Calculator for Cartons, Layers and Load Limits
Calculate how many cartons fit on standard pallets across Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. Compare length-wise, width-wise and mixed patterns, then check stack height, cube utilisation and pallet weight limits before you book storage or shipping.
Best of length-wise, width-wise and mixed-band patterns
Enter one carton size, choose a pallet standard and set the loaded height including the pallet deck. The calculator compares three layer patterns and checks movement load before static load.
Carton details
Pallet and limits
Result
| Pattern | Formula shown | Cartons/layer | Area utilisation | Result badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length-wise | floor(P_L/C_L) × floor(P_W/C_W) | — | — | — |
| Width-wise | floor(P_L/C_W) × floor(P_W/C_L) | — | — | — |
| Mixed / pinwheel | best mixed band formula | — | — | — |
What a Pallet Calculator Checks
A pallet calculator estimates carton capacity by checking carton footprint, pallet footprint, stack height and load rating. A useful calculator should compare both carton orientations, include the pallet’s deck height, and separate area utilisation from cube utilisation.
Source-Backed Pallet Sizes Used in This Tool
Pallet standards vary by market. Use the pallet your warehouse, retailer or carrier expects, then confirm any custom load rating with your pallet provider.
| Region | Standard | Footprint | Deck height | Movement-safe load | Static/stacking load | Source status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan / Asia | Japan T11 / JPR wooden 11-type | 1100 × 1100 mm | 144 mm | 1 t maximum load | Static/dynamic split not published | JPR wooden 11-type pallet |
| UK / Europe / CHEP markets | ISO / CHEP 1200 × 1000 | 1200 × 1000 mm | 162 mm | 1,500 kg maximum rating / safe working load | 6,000 kg max when stacking loaded pallets on solid surface | CHEP 1200 × 1000 wooden pallet |
| Europe | EUR / EPAL 1 | 1200 × 800 mm | 144 mm | 1,500 kg safe working load | Bottom pallet max 5,500 kg on solid, even surface | EPAL official Euro pallet source |
| United States / North America | CHEP 48 × 40 block / GMA-style | 48 × 40 in / 1219 × 1016 mm | 5.6 in / 141 mm | 2,800 lb uniformly distributed load in normal operating circumstances | Block stacked up to 5 unit loads high, not exceeding 10,000 lb | CHEP US 48 × 40 block pallet |
| Australia / New Zealand | CHEP Australia standard | 1165 × 1165 mm | 150 mm | Drive-in racking maximum payload 2,000 kg; not generic dynamic load | 10,000 kg static load | CHEP Australia wooden pallet |
Compare Three Explainable Layer Patterns
Length-wise
Use this when carton length divides pallet length cleanly. Formula: floor(P_L/C_L) × floor(P_W/C_W).
Width-wise
Use this when a 90° turn unlocks more rows. Formula: floor(P_L/C_W) × floor(P_W/C_L).
Mixed / pinwheel
Use this when one strip can use leftover space. Formula: max of mixed length-banded and width-banded counts.
Length-banded mixed
i × floor(P_W/C_W) + floor((P_L − i×C_L)/C_W) × floor(P_W/C_L)Enumerate i from 0 to floor(P_L/C_L), then keep the highest count.
Width-banded mixed
j × floor(P_L/C_L) + floor((P_W − j×C_W)/C_L) × floor(P_L/C_W)Enumerate j from 0 to floor(P_W/C_W), then keep the highest count.
Technical note
max(length-wise, width-wise, mixed)This is a transparent band heuristic for one carton size, not a universal global packing solver.
Deck Height Counts Before Cartons Are Added
- Max loaded height includes the pallet deck.
- Usable stack height equals max loaded height minus deck height.
- Carton layers must be whole numbers.
- Overhang defaults to 0 mm.
- Any overhang is carrier-dependent.
- Loaded height equals deck height plus layers × carton height.
Do not assume overhang is accepted
Some lanes, retailers and warehouses reject loads that exceed the pallet footprint. Use 0 mm unless your carrier or SOP gives a written allowance.
Check Movement-Safe Load Before Static Load
Product load
Cartons per pallet × carton gross weight.
Movement-safe load
The first cap to check for handling and transport.
Static load
A stacking or storage figure, not a shipping override.
Tare weight
Add pallet weight when estimating gross palletized weight.
| Pallet | Movement / dynamic / safe working load | Static / stacking load | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPAL 1 / EUR 1200 × 800 | 1,500 kg safe working load | Bottom pallet max 5,500 kg when stacking laden pallets on solid, even surface | EPAL official source |
| CHEP 1200 × 1000 / UK industrial | 1,500 kg maximum rating / safe working load | 6,000 kg max when stacking loaded pallets on solid surface | CHEP AU source |
| CHEP North America 48 × 40 block / GMA-style | 2,800 lb uniformly distributed load in normal operating circumstances | Block stacked up to 5 unit loads high, not exceeding 10,000 lb | CHEP US source |
| JPR 1100 × 1100 wooden T11/Japan | 1 t maximum load | Static/dynamic split not published | JPR source |
| CHEP Australia 1165 × 1165 | Drive-in racking maximum payload 2,000 kg; not generic dynamic load | 10,000 kg static load | CHEP AU source |
A Mixed Pattern Can Beat Both Simple Orientations
| Pattern | Calculation | Cartons/layer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length-wise | floor(1200/220) × floor(1000/120) | 40 | Tie with width-wise |
| Width-wise | floor(1200/120) × floor(1000/220) | 40 | Tie with length-wise |
| Mixed band | One 120 mm strip holds 5, remaining width holds 40 | 45 | Highest among the three patterns |
Worked result
Seven layers fit above the 162 mm pallet deck. The pallet holds 315 cartons, reaches 1422 mm loaded height, uses 99.0% of the footprint, uses 93.3% of available cube and needs 4 pallets for 1,000 cartons.
Plan Carton Cube, Billable Weight and Fulfillment
Planning pallet loads is one step. Locad helps ecommerce brands store, pick, pack and ship inventory from a distributed fulfillment network.
Pallet Calculator Questions
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