Pallet Calculator
How many boxes fit per pallet, how many pallets you need, plus weight, dimensions, and freight class.
Measurement Units
Boxes
Pallet Configuration
Reserved from max height
Counts toward gross
Results
Turn your boxes into a shipment plan
Enter your box dimensions and click Calculate to get:
How It Works
Boxes per layer
Tests both box orientations (and mixed layouts) to fit the most on the pallet footprint without overhang.
Layers (height)
floor((max total height − pallet height) ÷ box height)
Gross weight
Each pallet's own weight counts toward the max — carriers bill gross weight.
Freight class
Density-based estimate from gross weight ÷ the pallet's outer cube. Actual class can differ by commodity.
Standard Pallet Size
GMA Pallet
North American Standard
48" × 40"
~6" deck · ~2,500 lb max
The GMA pallet is used by 90%+ of US warehouses and carriers. Its ~6" deck is reserved from your max height, and its ~40 lb weight counts toward the gross limit. Pick "Custom" for other sizes.
About the Pallet Calculator
This free pallet calculator estimates how many boxes fit on a pallet, how many pallets your shipment needs, and the dimensions, gross weight, cube, and density-based freight class of the result — everything you need before requesting an LTL or truckload quote.
It reserves the pallet's deck height from your maximum (so the loaded height carriers measure is accurate), counts the pallet's own weight toward the gross limit, tests both box orientations plus mixed layouts to pack tighter, and shows full and partial pallets separately. For LTL freight, most carriers want pallets at or under 48" total height and 2,000–2,500 lb gross; taller (up to ~84") is sometimes accepted for floor-loaded or dedicated freight. Always confirm with your carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How the Pallet Calculator works
- Enter your box dimensions and how many you're shipping.
- Set the pallet size — defaults to the standard 48" × 40" GMA pallet — plus your max stack height and weight limit.
- Get the configuration — boxes per layer (with rotation considered), layers per pallet, and the total number of pallets needed.
Why pallet configuration affects your freight cost
How tightly your boxes pack onto a pallet decides how many pallet positions your shipment occupies — and LTL and partial pricing is driven by positions and linear feet. Efficient stacking (without overhang, which carriers may reject) can be the difference between two pallets and three, or between an LTL shipment and a partial truckload.
Pallet calculator FAQs
What is a standard pallet size in the US?
The standard pallet size in North America is 48 inches long by 40 inches wide, known as the GMA (Grocery Manufacturers Association) pallet. This size is used by most retailers, warehouses, and freight carriers.
What is the maximum height for a palletized shipment?
For LTL shipments, the standard maximum height is 48 inches including the pallet. For floor-loaded or dedicated freight, you may stack up to 84 inches. Some carriers accept taller pallets with advance notice.
What is the maximum weight for a pallet?
The typical maximum weight for a single pallet is 2,000–2,500 pounds, depending on the carrier. This limit is based on standard forklift capacity and LTL carrier requirements. Heavier pallets may require special handling.
How many pallets fit in a standard truck?
A standard 53-foot trailer can fit 26 standard GMA pallets (48" × 40") in a single layer when loaded with the 40" side facing forward. If double-stacked, that's 52 pallets total.
What does overhang mean in pallet shipping?
Overhang occurs when boxes extend beyond the edges of the pallet. Significant overhang creates stability issues, increases damage risk, and may cause carriers to reject the shipment.
Related freight tools
- Linear Feet Calculator — turn pallet counts into trailer deck space.
- Truckload Calculator — how many trucks a larger shipment needs.
- Dimensional Weight Calculator — chargeable weight for parcel shipments.
- Get a freight quote — price and book your palletized shipment.