Calculate how many boxes fit on a standard pallet, or find out how many pallets your shipment requires. Supports EUR, UK, US, and half-pallet sizes.
| Pallet Type | Length | Width | Pallet Height | Max Stack | Max Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR Pallet (EPAL) | 120 cm | 80 cm | 14.4 cm | 220 cm | 1,000 kg |
| UK Pallet | 120 cm | 100 cm | 15 cm | 220 cm | 1,000 kg |
| US Pallet (GMA) | 122 cm | 102 cm | 14 cm | 220 cm | 1,000 kg |
| Half EUR Pallet | 80 cm | 60 cm | 14.4 cm | 220 cm | 500 kg |
The most common pallet in Europe is the EUR Pallet (EPAL), measuring 120 cm × 80 cm with a max stack height of 220 cm and max load of 1,000 kg. The UK pallet (120 × 100 cm) is widely used in the UK and Ireland. The US GMA pallet measures 122 × 102 cm.
It depends on your box dimensions and pallet size. Use the calculator above to enter your exact box measurements. Common examples: on a EUR pallet (120×80 cm), boxes of 40×30×30 cm typically fit 24 per layer × 7 layers = 168 boxes. Boxes of 60×40×40 cm fit approximately 4 per layer × 5 layers = 20 boxes. The tool calculates the exact number for your dimensions.
The number of cartons per pallet depends on carton size and pallet dimensions. To calculate: divide the pallet length by carton length, multiply by pallet width divided by carton width (per layer), then divide the max stack height by carton height to get the number of layers. Our pallet calculator above does this automatically — just enter your carton dimensions.
For a standard EUR pallet (120×80 cm, max height 220 cm): a case of 30×20×20 cm gives you 6 cases per layer × 11 layers = 66 cases. A case of 40×30×30 cm gives 8 cases per layer × 7 layers = 56 cases. Use the calculator above for your specific case size — it tests both orientations to maximise fit.
A half EUR pallet measures 80 cm × 60 cm with a max stack height of 220 cm and max load of 500 kg. It is exactly half the footprint of a standard EUR pallet and is commonly used for smaller shipments or when full pallet space is not needed. It fits two-for-one in standard EUR pallet bays.
Pallet shipping within the EU is priced by pallet space (how many pallet 'slots' your shipment takes on the truck) and total weight, not a flat per-pallet rate — so there's no single number that applies to every route. Quarter and half pallets are proportionally cheaper than full pallets. Weight, dimensions, destination and dangerous-goods status all affect the final price. Get an instant quote at Cargosender to compare live rates from multiple carriers for your exact pallet.
A EUR pallet (EPAL) has a maximum load of 1,000 kg (1 tonne). The pallet itself weighs approximately 20–25 kg. Most freight carriers enforce a gross weight limit (pallet + goods) of 1,000–1,200 kg. Check with your specific carrier as limits vary by service.
Fragile goods should generally be stacked no more than 1.2 m high and clearly labelled 'Fragile — Do Not Stack'. Use corner boards, bubble wrap layers between boxes, and stretch wrap the whole pallet. If goods cannot be stacked at all, use a 'non-stackable pallet' option when booking — this reserves the space above your pallet and is priced accordingly.
A full pallet is one complete pallet shipped as a dedicated unit. LTL (Less than Truck Load) means your pallets share trailer space with other shippers, which reduces cost but may add 1–3 days transit time. FTL (Full Truck Load) is when you book an entire truck — used for large volumes. Cargosender offers all three options.
Use the 'Pallets Needed' mode in the calculator above: enter your box dimensions, total number of boxes, and choose your pallet type. The tool calculates boxes per pallet and divides your total box count by that number (rounding up). For example, if each pallet holds 40 boxes and you have 200 boxes, you need 5 pallets.