A 20ft container takes 9 pallets of 1200 × 1000 mm or 11 EUR pallets in one layer, while a 40ft and a 40ft high cube take 22 pallets of 1200 × 1000 mm or 25 EUR pallets in theory. In practice the 40ft figures usually drop to 20–21 and 23–24 because the forklift needs room. Stacking can double these numbers, but only when height, packaging strength and weight all allow it. Here is how to work it out step by step.
Common pallet types
| Pallet | Base | Pallet height | Tare | Max load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesian/ISO standard | 1200 × 1000 mm | 150 mm | 25 kg | 1,500 kg |
| EUR/EPAL | 1200 × 800 mm | 144 mm | 25 kg | 1,500 kg |
| Asian | 1100 × 1100 mm | 150 mm | 22 kg | 1,000 kg |
| Container-optimised | 1140 × 1140 mm | 150 mm | 24 kg | 1,000 kg |
| North American | 48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm) | 140 mm | 23 kg | 1,250 kg |
Tare and maximum load are typical values; check your pallet supplier's specification. For the height of goods on a pallet, many warehouses work to about 1,800 mm including the pallet. Building cartons onto a pallet is called palletizing, and you can plan it with the Cartons per Pallet Calculator.
Floor patterns: the key to the count
A dry container is about 2,352 mm wide inside. Two 1200 mm pallets side by side (2,400 mm) do not fit, but 1200 + 1000 = 2,200 mm does. That is why the best pattern for 1200 × 1000 pallets is a two-column mixed pattern:
- Column A: pallets turned crosswise (the 1200 mm side across the width), so each one uses 1,000 mm of container length.
- Column B: pallets lengthwise (the 1000 mm side across the width), so each one uses 1,200 mm of length.
In a 20GP with 5,898 mm of inside length: column A = 5,898 / 1,000 = 5 pallets, column B = 5,898 / 1,200 = 4 pallets, total 9. In a 40GP with 12,032 mm: 12 + 10 = 22. Compare that with a single orientation (two 1000 mm sides next to each other), which gives only 8 in a 20GP and 20 in a 40GP.
EUR pallets follow the same logic: one column with the 1200 mm side across and the 800 mm side along the box, plus one column with the 800 mm side across. A 20GP takes 7 + 4 = 11 and a 40GP 15 + 10 = 25.
| Pallets (one layer, theoretical) | 20GP | 40GP / 40HC | 45HC | 20RF | 40RF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1200 × 1000 mm | 9 | 22 (20–21 in practice) | 24 | 9 | 20 |
| EUR 1200 × 800 mm | 11 | 25 (23–24 in practice) | 27 | 10 | 23 |
| 1100 × 1100 mm | 10 | 20 | – | – | – |
| 1140 × 1140 mm | 10 | 20 | – | – | – |
| 48 × 40 in | 9 | 20 | – | – | – |
The theoretical figures assume zero clearance. On the warehouse floor, pallets grow a little from overhanging cartons or thick stretch wrap, and the forklift needs room to set down the last pallet at the door. Run every combination quickly with the Pallets per Container Calculator.
Floor utilisation by pallet type
Pallet count alone is not a fair comparison. A better yardstick is the share of floor actually covered by pallets:
| Pallet | Floor used in a 20GP | Floor used in a 40GP |
|---|---|---|
| 1200 × 1000 mm | 77.9% | 93.3% |
| EUR 1200 × 800 mm | 76.1% | 84.8% |
| 1100 × 1100 mm | 87.2% | 85.5% |
| 1140 × 1140 mm | 93.7% | 91.8% |
| 48 × 40 in | 80.4% | 87.5% |
The 1200 × 1000 pallet is very efficient in a 40ft but wastes a lot of floor in a 20ft. The 1140 × 1140 pallet was designed for containers and performs well in both, though its maximum load is lower. Often the buyer decides: Europe generally works with EUR pallets, North America with 48 × 40 in, and many Asian warehouses with 1100 × 1100. If you are free to choose, check floor utilisation for the container size you ship most.
Double-stacking pallets
Stacking can double the count, but there are four checks:
- Inside height. A 20GP or 40GP (2,393 mm) takes two pallets of about 1,150 mm; a 40HC (2,698 mm) takes two of about 1,300 mm. Leave a few centimetres to lift the top pallet in.
- Door height. A stack loaded in one go must be lower than 2,280 mm (standard dry) or 2,585 mm (high cube).
- Stacking strength. The bottom cartons must carry the top pallet plus the shocks of the journey. Use a top sheet or edge protectors.
- Weight limits. This is the one people forget; see the example below.
The high cube height advantage is explained in our 40ft high cube container guide.
Worked example
A soft-drink producer ships 1200 × 1000 mm pallets, 1,250 mm tall overall and 650 kg gross each (pallet included), in a 40HC.
- Floor positions: 22 theoretical; plan for 20 in practice.
- Stacking: 2 × 1,250 = 2,500 mm, under both the 2,698 mm inside height and the 2,585 mm door. So 20 × 2 = 40 pallets by space.
- Weight of 40 pallets: 40 × 650 = 26,000 kg, still under the 26,540 kg payload. Gross mass 26,000 + 3,940 = 29,940 kg, under the 30,480 kg maximum gross mass.
- Trailer limit: with the catalogue default of 26,000 kg container gross mass, the most cargo you can truck is 26,000 − 3,940 = 22,060 kg, and 22,060 / 650 = 33.9, rounded down to 33 pallets.
- Final answer: 33 pallets, 21,450 kg of cargo, 25,390 kg gross. Put the heavier pallets on the bottom tier and spread them evenly along the floor.
The lesson: space is not always the constraint. For cargo this dense, also compare two 20GPs in 20ft vs 40ft vs 40HC. All of these figures are a simulation; the final weight must be confirmed by official weighing and the VGM.
Common mistakes
- Using a single orientation. For 1200 × 1000 pallets the mixed pattern gives 9 in a 20GP, not 8.
- Forgetting forklift room and overhang. Cartons overhanging by 20 mm on each side cut a 40GP from 22 to 20 pallets.
- Forgetting pallet tare. Forty wooden pallets add about 1,000 kg.
- Ignoring ISPM 15. Wooden pallets without the ISPM 15 mark can be refused at destination.
- Leaving voids unfilled. Gaps at the sides and the door must be filled with dunnage or airbags; see cargo lashing and securing.
Test your pallet layout
Enter your pallet dimensions and weights in the 3D load planner to see the floor pattern, stacking and estimated weight per container. If you ship loose cartons instead, read how many cartons fit in a container. Planner output is a simulation and does not replace official weighing, the VGM or operator approval.