How Many Pallets Fit in a 20ft and 40ft Container? A Practical Guide

The number of pallets that fit in a standard shipping container depends on three factors: pallet dimensions, container type, and whether you single-stack or double-stack. A standard 20ft container fits 8 to 11 pallets on the floor. A 40ft container fits 18 to 24. This guide breaks down the exact numbers for every common pallet size used in Sri Lankan exports.

If you are an exporter, freight forwarder, or warehouse manager in Sri Lanka, knowing exactly how many pallets fit in your container is essential for costing, space planning, and avoiding wasted freight spend.

Container Internal Dimensions

Before calculating pallet quantities, you need the actual usable space inside the container — not the external dimensions.

20ft Standard Container (20' GP)

40ft Standard Container (40' GP)

40ft High Cube Container (40' HC)

The extra 305 mm of height in a high cube container can be the difference between single-stacking and double-stacking pallets — a significant cost advantage for lightweight goods.

Pallet Counts by Size

Euro Pallet (1200 x 800 mm)

The Euro pallet is the most common size for exports to the European Union.

Euro pallets fit efficiently because their 800 mm width allows two pallets side by side across the container's 2,352 mm width (800 + 800 = 1,600 mm) with space to spare, or they can be turned lengthwise in alternating rows.

Standard Pallet (1200 x 1000 mm)

The 1200 x 1000 mm pallet is widely used for exports to the US, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

Two 1000 mm pallets placed side by side (2,000 mm total) fit within the 2,352 mm container width. Length-wise, a 20ft container accommodates 4 rows of 1,200 mm pallets along its 5,898 mm length, with approximately 1,098 mm of usable space remaining.

Half Pallet (600 x 800 mm)

Half pallets are used for smaller shipments and retail-ready loads, particularly for supermarket distribution in Europe.

Custom Sizes

Sri Lankan exporters frequently use non-standard pallet sizes optimised for specific cargo. Tea chests, for example, often use pallets sized to match the chest footprint rather than a standard dimension. For custom sizes, use our [container pallet calculator](/container-pallet-calculator) to get an exact count with a visual floor plan.

Single-Stack vs Double-Stack

Single-Stack (One Layer)

Every pallet sits directly on the container floor. This is the standard approach for heavy cargo — machinery, stone, ceramics, canned goods — where the combined weight of two stacked pallets would exceed the container's payload limit or the bottom pallet's load capacity.

Double-Stack (Two Layers)

A second layer of pallets is placed on top of the first. This effectively doubles your pallet count but requires:

For a standard 20ft container with 2,393 mm internal height, each pallet-plus-cargo unit must be under approximately 1,190 mm tall to double-stack. A 40ft high cube container gives you about 1,340 mm per layer — significantly more forgiving.

Example: An apparel exporter in Katunayake shipping garments on Euro pallets (1200 x 800 mm) in a 40ft HC container. Each pallet with cargo stands 1,100 mm tall. Double-stacking gives them 46–48 pallets instead of 23–24 — cutting their per-unit freight cost nearly in half.

Loading Orientation Matters

Pallets can be placed in two orientations:

The optimal layout often mixes orientations. For Euro pallets in a 40ft container, alternating rows — one lengthwise, one widthwise — maximises floor coverage. Our [container pallet calculator](/container-pallet-calculator) automatically finds the best orientation mix.

Weight vs Space: Which Limit Do You Hit First?

Many Sri Lankan exporters assume they have a "space problem" when they actually have a "weight problem" — or vice versa.

Weight-limited cargo (you run out of payload before floor space)

Space-limited cargo (you run out of floor space before payload)

Knowing which category your cargo falls into determines whether you should optimise for pallet count (space-limited) or pallet strength (weight-limited).

Common Loading Mistakes

Not accounting for the door swing

Container doors open to approximately 2,340 mm — slightly narrower than the internal width. If your last row of pallets is positioned too close to the door, you may not be able to slide them in. Always leave 50–100 mm of clearance at the door end.

Ignoring pallet height with cargo

The pallet itself is typically 140–150 mm tall. Add your cargo height on top. Many exporters calculate "how many pallets fit" based on pallet dimensions alone, then discover at loading time that their cargo extends above the container's door opening height (2,280 mm).

Mixing pallet sizes in one container

Using two different pallet sizes in the same container almost always wastes space. The smaller pallets create gaps that cannot be filled, and the loading pattern becomes irregular. Standardise on one pallet size per container wherever possible.

Not bracing the load

Pallets that fit perfectly on the floor can still shift during ocean transit. Use dunnage, airbags, or strapping to secure the load — especially for partial containers where pallets do not fill the entire floor.

Calculate Your Exact Layout

Every shipment is different. Rather than estimating, use our free [container pallet calculator](/container-pallet-calculator) to enter your exact pallet dimensions and container type. It generates a visual floor plan showing exactly how many pallets fit and where they should be placed.

Need Pallets Sized for Your Container?

CeyPall manufactures custom-sized pallets to maximise your container utilisation. If your current pallet size leaves wasted space, we can design a pallet dimension that fits your container perfectly — ISPM 15 compliant, heat treated, and IPPC stamped.

[Contact us](/contact) for a free quote, or call +94 714 711 417.