Pallets Per Container Calculator (2D Floor Layout)
Calculate how many standard Euro or GMA pallets fit on the floor of 20ft and 40ft containers.
Live Calculation Results
Pallets per container (floor, single tier)
20 ft standard dry · best tested arrangement
- Pallets on the floor
- 11
- Floor utilization
- 76.2%Pallet footprints ÷ container floor
- Remaining floor space
- 3.30 m²
What this means
- 11 pallets fit on the container floor (4 × length along container length, 7 × length across container width).
- They cover 76.2% of the usable floor; 3.30 m² of floor is left over.
- Stacking is off. Increase “Stack tiers allowed” to see a separate stacked total.
Length along container length: 4 · Length across container width: 7
Assumptions used
- 20 ft standard dry: reference specification. Ocean container lines (reference: Maersk dry container specifications); reference check 2026-10-06 (secondary cross-check). Reference ISO dry freight container. ISO 668 rating: 30,480 kg max gross. Door openings typically 2,340 mm W × 2,274–2,280 mm H. Actual payload depends on unit tare stamped on door plate.
- Pallets are treated as solid rectangles on a 2D floor, not as loose cartons. Packing evaluates mixed rows with rotation.
- REFERENCE EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION: Actual equipment dimensions, tare weights, and payload ratings vary by manufacturer, container build year, and ocean line. Always inspect the CSC safety approval plate on the physical container provided for your shipment.
Planning Notice & Scope Boundary
Actual pallet fit depends on pallet squareness, stretch wrap bulges, and container door sill clearance.
Formula & Calculation Methodology
2D rectangular floor packing heuristic evaluating aligned and turned (90°) pallet rows within container internal dimensions.
Floor Utilization = (Pallet Footprints) / Container Floor Area| Variable | Definition & Basis |
|---|---|
| Pallets on Floor | Total pallets placed without overlap on the container deck |
| Floor Util % | Area of pallets divided by container interior floor area |
Worked Example: Euro Pallets in a 20ft Dry Container
Loading standard EUR / EPAL pallets (1200 × 800 mm) into a standard 20ft container (5896 × 2350 mm floor).
Input Parameters
- Pallet Size1200 × 800 mm (Euro pallet)
- Container20 ft standard (5896 × 2350 mm floor)
Step-by-Step Calculation Breakdown
- 1Turned orientation (800 mm along length, 1200 mm across width): fits 1 pallet across width (1200 mm) or mixed combinations.
- 2Best evaluated packing places 11 Euro pallets on the floor of a 20ft container.
- 3Floor area utilization: (11 × 0.96 m²) ÷ (5.896 × 2.35 m) = 76.2%.
Assumptions Used
- Pallets are packed on a single tier (floor level) unless double-stacking is explicitly evaluated.
- Container floor dimensions match ISO standard internal clearances.
Important Limitations
- Assumes pallets have zero overhang. Overhanging freight will reduce the number of pallets that fit.
Authoritative Standards & Sources
Dry container reference specifications — 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft high cube ↗
Internal dimensions, door openings and approximate payloads were taken as representative planning figures. Carriers publish slightly different values per equipment type and manufacturer.
ISO 6780 lists six principal footprints: 1200×800, 1200×1000, 1219×1016, 1067×1067, 1100×1100 and 1140×1140 mm (plus 1165×1165 in later editions).
EPAL Euro pallet 1200 × 800 mm ↗
The Euro pallet footprint is 1200 × 800 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many standard pallets fit in a 20ft container?
A 20ft container typically holds 10 standard North American GMA pallets (48 × 40 in) or 11 Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) on the floor.
How many pallets fit in a 40ft container?
A standard 40ft container typically holds 20–21 GMA pallets (48 × 40 in) or 24–25 Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) on a single floor tier.
What to Calculate Next
Freight planning connects sequentially from package dimensions to freight class, pallets, and full equipment: