How Many Boxes Fit on a Pallet: Count Table for 60 Box Sizes
Boxes per layer and boxes per pallet for 60 stocked box sizes on a 48 x 40 pallet at three load heights, computed on outside dimensions with a 5 1/2 inch deck and no overhang. The formula, the weight and height limits, and four worked loads follow the table.
The formula
Boxes per pallet equals boxes per layer multiplied by the number of layers. Boxes per layer is the larger of two whole-number counts: (48 divided by box length) times (40 divided by box width), or the same with length and width swapped. Layers is the usable load height divided by box height, rounded down. Use outside dimensions of the packed carton, which for single wall corrugated run about 1/4 inch over the inside size on each axis.
Worked example: 12 x 12 x 12 inside is 12.25 x 12.25 x 12.25 outside. Along 48 inches: 3 boxes. Along 40 inches: 3 boxes. 9 per layer. A 60 inch load limit minus a 5.5 inch deck leaves 54.5 inches, which is 4 layers of 12.25. 36 boxes per pallet. The common rule of thumb that says 12 per layer ignores the outside dimension and will not load.
Boxes per pallet for stocked sizes: 48 x 40 pallet
The table uses outside dimensions (inside size plus 1/4 inch per axis), a 5 1/2 inch pallet deck, no overhang, and column stacking. Each height column shows layers / total boxes. Footprint is how much of the 48 x 40 deck the layer covers; anything under 80 percent will need a tighter pattern or a different orientation to stay stable under stretch wrap. Sizes link to the stocked box.
| Box size (in) | Per layer | Orientation | Footprint | 48 in load | 60 in load | 72 in load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 4 x 4 | 99 | L along 48 | 93% | 10 / 990 | 12 / 1188 | 15 / 1485 |
| 5 x 5 x 5 | 63 | L along 48 | 90% | 8 / 504 | 10 / 630 | 12 / 756 |
| 6 x 4 x 4 | 66 | W along 48 | 91% | 10 / 660 | 12 / 792 | 15 / 990 |
| 6 x 6 x 4 | 42 | L along 48 | 85% | 10 / 420 | 12 / 504 | 15 / 630 |
| 6 x 6 x 6 | 42 | L along 48 | 85% | 6 / 252 | 8 / 336 | 10 / 420 |
| 7 x 7 x 7 | 30 | L along 48 | 82% | 5 / 150 | 7 / 210 | 9 / 270 |
| 8 x 6 x 4 | 30 | L along 48 | 81% | 10 / 300 | 12 / 360 | 15 / 450 |
| 8 x 8 x 4 | 20 | L along 48 | 71% | 10 / 200 | 12 / 240 | 15 / 300 |
| 8 x 8 x 6 | 20 | L along 48 | 71% | 6 / 120 | 8 / 160 | 10 / 200 |
| 8 x 8 x 8 | 20 | L along 48 | 71% | 5 / 100 | 6 / 120 | 8 / 160 |
| 9 x 6 x 4 | 30 | L along 48 | 90% | 10 / 300 | 12 / 360 | 15 / 450 |
| 9 x 9 x 9 | 20 | L along 48 | 89% | 4 / 80 | 5 / 100 | 7 / 140 |
| 10 x 6 x 4 | 24 | L along 48 | 80% | 10 / 240 | 12 / 288 | 15 / 360 |
| 10 x 8 x 6 | 16 | L along 48 | 70% | 6 / 96 | 8 / 128 | 10 / 160 |
| 10 x 10 x 6 | 12 | L along 48 | 66% | 6 / 72 | 8 / 96 | 10 / 120 |
| 10 x 10 x 8 | 12 | L along 48 | 66% | 5 / 60 | 6 / 72 | 8 / 96 |
| 10 x 10 x 10 | 12 | L along 48 | 66% | 4 / 48 | 5 / 60 | 6 / 72 |
| 11 x 8 x 6 | 16 | L along 48 | 77% | 6 / 96 | 8 / 128 | 10 / 160 |
| 12 x 6 x 6 | 21 | W along 48 | 84% | 6 / 126 | 8 / 168 | 10 / 210 |
| 12 x 8 x 6 | 15 | W along 48 | 79% | 6 / 90 | 8 / 120 | 10 / 150 |
| 12 x 9 x 6 | 15 | W along 48 | 89% | 6 / 90 | 8 / 120 | 10 / 150 |
| 12 x 9 x 9 | 15 | W along 48 | 89% | 4 / 60 | 5 / 75 | 7 / 105 |
| 12 x 10 x 6 | 12 | W along 48 | 78% | 6 / 72 | 8 / 96 | 10 / 120 |
| 12 x 10 x 8 | 12 | W along 48 | 78% | 5 / 60 | 6 / 72 | 8 / 96 |
| 12 x 12 x 4 | 9 | L along 48 | 70% | 10 / 90 | 12 / 108 | 15 / 135 |
| 12 x 12 x 6 | 9 | L along 48 | 70% | 6 / 54 | 8 / 72 | 10 / 90 |
| 12 x 12 x 8 | 9 | L along 48 | 70% | 5 / 45 | 6 / 54 | 8 / 72 |
| 12 x 12 x 10 | 9 | L along 48 | 70% | 4 / 36 | 5 / 45 | 6 / 54 |
| 12 x 12 x 12 | 9 | L along 48 | 70% | 3 / 27 | 4 / 36 | 5 / 45 |
| 13 x 13 x 13 | 9 | L along 48 | 82% | 3 / 27 | 4 / 36 | 5 / 45 |
| 14 x 10 x 8 | 9 | L along 48 | 68% | 5 / 45 | 6 / 54 | 8 / 72 |
| 14 x 10 x 10 | 9 | L along 48 | 68% | 4 / 36 | 5 / 45 | 6 / 54 |
| 14 x 12 x 10 | 9 | L along 48 | 82% | 4 / 36 | 5 / 45 | 6 / 54 |
| 14 x 14 x 8 | 6 | L along 48 | 63% | 5 / 30 | 6 / 36 | 8 / 48 |
| 14 x 14 x 14 | 6 | L along 48 | 63% | 2 / 12 | 3 / 18 | 4 / 24 |
| 15 x 12 x 10 | 9 | L along 48 | 88% | 4 / 36 | 5 / 45 | 6 / 54 |
| 16 x 10 x 6 | 8 | W along 48 | 69% | 6 / 48 | 8 / 64 | 10 / 80 |
| 16 x 12 x 6 | 6 | L along 48 | 62% | 6 / 36 | 8 / 48 | 10 / 60 |
| 16 x 12 x 8 | 6 | L along 48 | 62% | 5 / 30 | 6 / 36 | 8 / 48 |
| 16 x 12 x 12 | 6 | L along 48 | 62% | 3 / 18 | 4 / 24 | 5 / 30 |
| 16 x 16 x 8 | 4 | L along 48 | 55% | 5 / 20 | 6 / 24 | 8 / 32 |
| 16 x 16 x 16 | 4 | L along 48 | 55% | 2 / 8 | 3 / 12 | 4 / 16 |
| 18 x 12 x 6 | 6 | L along 48 | 70% | 6 / 36 | 8 / 48 | 10 / 60 |
| 18 x 12 x 12 | 6 | L along 48 | 70% | 3 / 18 | 4 / 24 | 5 / 30 |
| 18 x 14 x 12 | 6 | W along 48 | 81% | 3 / 18 | 4 / 24 | 5 / 30 |
| 18 x 18 x 12 | 4 | L along 48 | 69% | 3 / 12 | 4 / 16 | 5 / 20 |
| 18 x 18 x 18 | 4 | L along 48 | 69% | 2 / 8 | 2 / 8 | 3 / 12 |
| 20 x 14 x 10 | 4 | L along 48 | 60% | 4 / 16 | 5 / 20 | 6 / 24 |
| 20 x 16 x 12 | 4 | L along 48 | 69% | 3 / 12 | 4 / 16 | 5 / 20 |
| 20 x 20 x 12 | 2 | L along 48 | 43% | 3 / 6 | 4 / 8 | 5 / 10 |
| 20 x 20 x 20 | 2 | L along 48 | 43% | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 3 / 6 |
| 22 x 22 x 22 | 2 | L along 48 | 52% | 1 / 2 | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| 24 x 12 x 12 | 3 | L along 48 | 46% | 3 / 9 | 4 / 12 | 5 / 15 |
| 24 x 18 x 12 | 2 | L along 48 | 46% | 3 / 6 | 4 / 8 | 5 / 10 |
| 24 x 18 x 18 | 2 | L along 48 | 46% | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 3 / 6 |
| 24 x 24 x 12 | 1 | L along 48 | 31% | 3 / 3 | 4 / 4 | 5 / 5 |
| 24 x 24 x 18 | 1 | L along 48 | 31% | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | 3 / 3 |
| 24 x 24 x 24 | 1 | L along 48 | 31% | 1 / 1 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| 26 x 20 x 14 | 2 | W along 48 | 55% | 2 / 4 | 3 / 6 | 4 / 8 |
| 30 x 20 x 20 | 2 | W along 48 | 64% | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 3 / 6 |
| 36 x 24 x 24 | 1 | L along 48 | 46% | 1 / 1 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
The counts are column-stack planning numbers. Interlocked (pinwheel) patterns can add one or two boxes per layer on footprints under 80 percent at the cost of vertical alignment, which reduces stacking strength by roughly 10 to 15 percent. Use column stacking when the load is heavy and interlocking when it is light and tall.
Weight, height and overhang limits
The count from the table is the ceiling. Four things lower it: the receiver's height cap, the pallet's weight rating, the compression strength of the bottom boxes, and overhang rules. A box hanging over the pallet edge loses a large share of its stacking strength because the flutes at the edge have no support, so trim the count rather than overhang.
| Limit | Typical value | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet deck height | 5 1/2 in (GMA 48 x 40 wood) | Subtract it from the allowed load height before counting layers |
| Load height, standard | 48 in pallet + load is the common LTL class break; 60 in fits most trailers double stacked; 72 in is a tall single-stack load | Carrier and receiver rules; many DCs cap at 60 in |
| Load weight, dynamic | Up to about 2,500 lb on a standard GMA pallet in motion | Pallet rating; confirm with the pallet supplier |
| Load weight, static | Up to about 4,600 lb at rest | Pallet rating for floor storage only |
| Overhang | 0 in for most receivers; some allow 1 in per side | Overhanging boxes lose up to 30 percent of their compression strength |
| Box compression | 32 ECT single wall: about 65 lb gross per box; 44 ECT: about 95 lb; 48 ECT double wall: about 100 lb | ECT guidance, see the ECT to Mullen chart; bottom layer carries the full stack |
Worked scenarios
The bottom layer carries the weight of every layer above it. Divide that figure by the number of boxes in the layer to get the load per box, then compare it with the gross weight guidance for the board grade on the ECT to Mullen chart.
| Scenario | Box | Per layer | Layers | Per pallet | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parts, 18 lb per case, 60 in limit | 12 x 12 x 12 | 9 | 4 | 36 | Bottom box carries 3 x 18 = 54 lb, under the 32 ECT guidance |
| Apparel, 9 lb per case, 72 in limit | 16 x 12 x 12 | 6 | 5 | 30 | Bottom box carries 36 lb; 32 ECT is fine, the 72 in cap is the limit |
| Books, 40 lb per case, 48 in limit | 12 x 10 x 8 | 12 | 5 | 60 | Bottom box carries 160 lb; needs 48 ECT double wall or fewer layers |
| Bulky goods, 6 lb per case, 60 in limit | 24 x 18 x 18 | 2 | 2 | 4 | Height, not weight, is the limit; a 24 x 18 x 12 gives 4 layers and 8 cases |
Other pallet sizes
The 48 x 40 GMA pallet covers most US grocery, retail and general freight. Other footprints change the per-layer math only: 42 x 42 (telecom, paint), 48 x 48 (drums), 48 x 42 (chemicals), 1200 x 1000 mm EUR2 and 1200 x 800 mm EUR1 for export (47.2 x 39.4 and 47.2 x 31.5 inches). For a quick conversion of metric box specs before running the formula, see box sizes in cm.
Once the count is set, the wrap is the next line item: the stretch film per pallet page covers how many feet of film a given load height takes, and pallet covers and edge protectors are stocked for loads that ship outdoors or by LTL.
Shop corrugated boxesStretch film
Frequently asked questions
How many 12x12x12 boxes fit on a pallet?
9 per layer on a 48 x 40 pallet using outside dimensions (12.25 inches), and 36 boxes at a 60 inch load height (4 layers). At 72 inches it is 5 layers and 45 boxes. The often-quoted 12 per layer assumes a box with no wall thickness.
How many boxes fit on a standard pallet?
It depends on the box footprint and the height limit. Per layer, divide 48 by the box length and 40 by the box width, round each down, and multiply. Try the other orientation and take the larger number. Multiply by the layers that fit under the height cap after subtracting the 5.5 inch pallet.
What is the maximum height for a pallet?
There is no single rule. 48 inches total is a common LTL break, 60 inches lets two pallets double stack in a 53 foot trailer, and 72 inches is a typical ceiling for a single-stack load. Always check the receiver's spec.
How much weight can a pallet hold?
A standard GMA 48 x 40 wood pallet is rated around 2,500 lb in motion and 4,600 lb static. The boxes usually fail before the pallet does, so check the bottom-layer load against the box's ECT rating.
Should boxes overhang the pallet?
No. Overhang cuts the compression strength of the overhanging boxes by up to 30 percent and most receivers reject it. Size the box or the pattern so the layer sits inside the 48 x 40 deck.