40ft & 40ft High-Cube guide
How Many Pallets Fit in a 40ft Container
A standard 40ft container holds 24 Euro pallets (1200×800) or 20 Industrial/US pallets in a straight, single-stack layout. High-Cube vans keep the same floor count but add 300 mm (≈12 in) of vertical clearance—ideal when stacking cartons above pallet height.
Launch the calculator with 40ft presets, then adjust your TI‑HI using the TI‑HI calculator or explore alternate patterns in the Pallet Configuration calculator.
1. Constraints to consider (footprint, stacking height, weight)
The nominal interior footprint of a 40ft ISO container is 12.03 m × 2.35 m (39.5 ft × 7.7 ft). That space quickly shrinks after door clearance, corrugations, and pallet gaps are applied. Keep the following in mind before locking in a load plan:
- Footprint allowances: Review your pallet’s true outside dimensions and any required gap or overhang. Cross-check against our pallet dimension reference so you know which standards can pinwheel or interlock without rubbing walls.
- Stacking height: High-Cube ceilings reach ~2.69 m (106 in). Use the TI‑HI calculator to balance box height against target stack limits.
- Weight and axle loading: A 40ft container typically allows 26,000–27,400 kg (57,000–60,400 lb) of payload. Confirm both pallet weight and distribution—especially if you are double-stacking. Our pallet weight calculator helps verify you stay inside gross limits.
2. EU vs US pallet scenarios
Floor counts depend on pallet footprints and the layout pattern your warehouse accepts. Common baselines are below; use the configuration calculator to test pinwheel or mixed layouts for an extra pallet or two.
| Pallet type | Typical pattern | Single-stack pallets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Euro (1200×800) | 11 rows × 2 wide | 24 | 25 pallets possible with pinwheel at the door if tolerances allow. |
| EU Industrial (1200×1000) | 10 rows × 2 wide | 20 | Most operators keep straight rows; interlocking may add 1 pallet with mixed orientation. |
| US GMA (48×40) | 10 rows × 2 wide | 20 | Pinwheel at the nose can free one additional pallet for tight tolerances. |
Need to mix and match footprints? Head to the Pallet Configuration calculator for visual layouts and rotation tips.
4. FAQs
How many Euro pallets fit in a 40ft container?
Plan for 24 Euro pallets (1200×800) in straight rows. If you can pinwheel at the doors and allow minimal gaps, a 25th pallet may fit—verify clearances first.
Does a 40ft High-Cube increase floor count?
No. High-Cube containers keep the same footprint but add 300 mm (≈12 in) of vertical clearance, making them ideal for taller HI values or double-stacked cartons.
How do I confirm height and weight limits?
Use the TI‑HI calculator to model rows × layers, then confirm payload with the pallet weight calculator before exporting your load plan.