Free tool
Container Pallet Calculator
Calculate how many pallets fit in a 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft high cube shipping container. Select your pallet size, enter cargo height, and see the floor plan instantly.
In short: how many pallets fit in a container?
A standard 20ft container fits about 10 standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) or 11 Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) on a single layer. A 40ft container fits about 20–21 standard pallets or 23–24 Euro pallets. Stacking a second layer roughly doubles these figures where cargo height allows.
Result
9
pallets in a 20' Standard container
Floor plan (top view)
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Get a quote →How Many Pallets Fit in a Shipping Container?
The number of pallets that fit in a shipping container depends on three factors: the internal dimensions of the container, the dimensions of the pallet, and the height of your cargo if you plan to stack multiple layers.
| Pallet size | 20ft container | 40ft container |
|---|---|---|
| Standard export — 1200 × 1000 mm | 10 pallets | 20–21 pallets |
| Euro — 1200 × 800 mm | 11 pallets | 23–24 pallets |
| Asia-Pacific — 1100 × 1100 mm | 10 pallets | 20 pallets |
| North American — 1219 × 1016 mm | 10 pallets | 20 pallets |
Single-layer floor counts, based on standard internal container dimensions. Stacking a second layer roughly doubles these figures where cargo height allows. Use the calculator above for your exact pallet and cargo height.
20ft Container Pallet Capacity
A standard 20-foot container has internal dimensions of approximately 5.9m (length) x 2.35m (width) x 2.39m (height). On a single layer, it fits approximately 10 standard pallets (1200 x 1000 mm) or 11 Euro pallets (1200 x 800 mm).
40ft Container Pallet Capacity
A standard 40-foot container has internal dimensions of approximately 12.0m (length) x 2.35m (width) x 2.39m (height). On a single layer, it fits approximately 20 standard pallets (1200 x 1000 mm) or 23 Euro pallets (1200 x 800 mm).
40ft High Cube Container
A 40-foot high cube container has the same floor area as a standard 40ft container but offers approximately 30 cm of additional internal height (2.70m vs 2.39m). This extra height can accommodate an additional stacking layer depending on your cargo dimensions.
Which Pallet Size Should You Use?
The best pallet size depends on your destination market. For European shipments, the 1200 x 800 mm Euro pallet is standard. For North American markets, 1219 x 1016 mm (48" x 40") is the norm. For Asia-Pacific destinations, 1100 x 1100 mm is common. The general export standard of 1200 x 1000 mm works well for most other markets.
For more details on choosing the right pallet size, see our guide: Standard Pallet Sizes for Sri Lankan Exporters.
Need pallets for your next container?
ISPM 15 certified, IPPC-stamped, delivered island-wide across Sri Lanka.