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Pallets

Standard pallet sizes and how many fit in a container

Updated September 28, 2026Figures calculated with our 3D loading engine

Short answer

The ISO 6780 standard lists six pallet sizes: 1200 × 800 mm (Euro pallet), 1219 × 1016 mm (US 48 × 40 in), 1200 × 1000 mm, 1165 × 1165 mm (Australia), 1100 × 1100 mm (Asia) and 1067 × 1067 mm. In a 20ft container, 11 Euro pallets fit in one layer, but only 9–10 of the larger sizes.

Pallets per container, one layer

Single-tier pallet counts from full floor plans using typical inside dimensions. Forty-foot dry figures for Euro and 1200 × 1000 pallets are geometric maximums; plan 1–2 fewer in practice.
PalletMain region20GP40GP20RF40RH
Euro (EUR/EPAL)
120 × 80 cm		Europe11251023
US GMA 48 × 40 in
121.9 × 101.6 cm		North America920920
1200 × 1000 mm
120 × 100 cm		Europe, Asia922920
1165 × 1165 mm
116.5 × 116.5 cm		Australia102049
1100 × 1100 mm
110 × 110 cm		Asia1020820
1067 × 1067 mm
106.7 × 106.7 cm		North America, Europe, Asia10221020

Which pallet ships best in containers?

ISO containers were designed around feet and inches, not pallets, so no pallet fills them perfectly. The Euro pallet uses the floor best because its 80 cm side lets you mix lengthwise and crosswise lanes. Square Australian pallets fit two across in a dry container (233 cm of the 235 cm width) but only one across in a reefer, which is why Australian cold-chain shippers often use different pallets for export.

Pallet height and weight

  • A Euro pallet deck is about 14.4 cm high; a US GMA pallet about 14.6 cm.
  • For double stacking, each loaded pallet must be under about 114 cm in standard containers and 129 cm in high cubes (door height).
  • Remember to include the pallet weight itself (roughly 15–30 kg for wood) in your gross weight.
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Frequently asked questions

What is the standard pallet size?

In Europe, the Euro pallet (1200 × 800 mm); in North America, the GMA pallet (48 × 40 in / 1219 × 1016 mm); in much of Asia, 1100 × 1100 mm or 1200 × 1000 mm.

How many pallets fit in a 20ft container?

11 Euro pallets or 9 US pallets in one layer. See pallets in a 20ft container.

How many pallets fit in a 40ft container?

23–24 Euro pallets or 20 US pallets in one layer. See pallets in a 40ft container.

PalletsHow many boxes fit on a pallet?A Euro pallet loaded to 1.5 m holds 12 cartons of 60×40×40 cm; a US pallet to 60 in holds 15. PalletsHow many pallets fit in a 20ft container?A 20ft container fits 11 Euro pallets or 9 standard US pallets in a single tier, and double if pallets are under 114 cm tall. PalletsHow many pallets fit in a reefer container?A 40ft high cube reefer fits 23 Euro pallets or 20 US pallets in one layer; a 20ft reefer 10 Euro or 9 US pallets.