Parameters
Box
Pallet type
Fill in parameters - result will appear automatically
Learn
How the pallets-per-order calculator works
Enter a box, the order quantity and the pallet: the calculator answers how many pallets the order takes, how many boxes one pallet holds and what the last, part-filled pallet carries.
What it calculates
The calculator answers the question a sales order or a shipment plan starts with: how many pallets does this order need? It stacks one pallet with the box you enter, counts the boxes it holds, and divides the order quantity by that number, rounding up: a pallet that is only half full is still a pallet to load, ship and pay for.
One pallet is built by the same palletizer as the pallet calculator, with its default stacking rules: the load stays under the standard height cap (pallet deck included) and under the rated load of the chosen pallet. The result shows boxes per pallet, the number of layers, the share of the pallet deck covered, the total mass of the order and the limit that stopped the stack.
It is a quick count, not a pattern designer. To choose the layer pattern, change the height cap, add overhang or tier sheets, or look at the load in 3D, open the pallet calculator or the full packaging calculation with the same box.
Standards and methods behind it
- EPAL: the EUR 1, EUR 2 and EUR 6 presets with their deck height and rated load; the rated load caps the mass of one pallet.
- ISO 6780: the standard pallet footprints behind the presets, including the North American 48 × 40 in pallet.
- The pallet count is a ceiling division of the order quantity by boxes per pallet — the same arithmetic a warehouse uses to book pallet places.
Worked example
An order of 1,000 boxes 400 × 300 × 250 mm, 10 kg each, on 1,200 × 800 mm pallets; the calculator stacks up to 1,800 mm, pallet included.
1. One pallet, stacked in 6 layers under the height cap
N = 46
2. Pallets for the order, rounded up
⌈1,000 / 46⌉ = ⌈21.74⌉ = 22
3. Boxes on the last, part-filled pallet
1,000 − 21 × 46 = 34
4. Mass of the boxes on one full pallet and of the whole order
m₁ = 46 × 10 = 460 kg; M = 1,000 × 10 = 10,000 kg
The order takes 22 pallets: 21 full ones and one carrying 34 boxes. Rounding the division to the nearest whole number instead of up would leave those boxes on the dock.
An order of 1,000 boxes 22 × 14 × 10 in, 20 lb each, on 48 × 40 in pallets; the calculator stacks up to 71 in, pallet included.
1. One pallet, stacked in 6 layers under the height cap
N = 29
2. Pallets for the order, rounded up
⌈1,000 / 29⌉ = ⌈34.48⌉ = 35
3. Boxes on the last, part-filled pallet
1,000 − 34 × 29 = 14
4. Mass of the boxes on one full pallet and of the whole order
m₁ = 29 × 20 = 580 lb; M = 1,000 × 20 = 20,000 lb
The order takes 35 pallets: 34 full ones and one carrying 14 boxes. Rounding the division to the nearest whole number instead of up would leave those boxes on the dock.
The results are the calculator’s own for these inputs; converted and rounded figures can differ in the last digit.
Common mistakes
- Rounding the pallet count to the nearest whole number: any remainder needs one more pallet, even if it is a single box.
- Entering the product dimensions instead of the outer dimensions of the shipping box: a few millimetres decide whether one more box fits in a row, and the error repeats on every pallet of the order.
- Forgetting the mass limit: heavy boxes can stop a pallet by rated load long before the height cap; the result names the limiting factor, so check it before booking pallet places.
- Treating the count as a truck count: pallets per order says nothing about how many trucks it takes. Load the pallets in the truck load calculator.
When this tool is not the right one
- Mixed orders with several box sizes on one pallet: the count assumes one box size per order.
- A custom layer pattern, a different height cap, overhang or tier sheets: those are set in the pallet calculator.
- Anything that is not a rectangular box: bags, drums and loose parts are not stacked by this palletizer.
Questions
How many pallets do I need for my order?
Divide the order quantity by the number of boxes one pallet holds and round up. The calculator does both steps: it stacks one pallet with your box and returns the pallet count together with boxes per pallet and layers.
How many boxes fit on one pallet?
It depends on the box footprint, its height and mass, and the pallet. The calculator stacks one pallet with the default palletizer rules and shows the count; the pallet calculator lets you compare every layer pattern.
Why is the last pallet not full?
Because the order quantity is rarely an exact multiple of boxes per pallet. The remainder still ships, so it goes on one more pallet — the worked example above shows how many boxes it carries.
Which height does the calculator stack to?
The standard height cap of the palletizer, pallet deck included, and the rated load of the chosen pallet. To stack to another height, use the pallet calculator.
Every formula with its units and defaults: the calculation method →