Shipping container pallet layouts: plan the loaded footprint

Measure the loaded pallet, not just the timber

The presets use a 1,200 × 800 mm Euro footprint or a 1,200 × 1,000 mm UK/industrial footprint. These are base dimensions. The second preset does not identify a particular pallet construction or load rating. Measure the widest and longest extent of the packed goods, including wrapping, straps and any overhang.

Enter the total increase in each dimension. If a 1,200 mm pallet has goods extending 25 mm beyond each end, its loaded length is 1,250 mm: enter 50 mm of extra length. Record loaded height separately for the door check. An empty-pallet footprint says nothing about the height of the packed goods or whether a second pallet can be stacked above.

Check the loaded height and door opening →

How to read the candidate plan

The tool compares parallel rows, rows using both orientations and four-pallet turning blocks with end rows. It draws the best count among those candidates, validates every footprint against the selected rectangle and checks that no footprints overlap. It does not search every possible arrangement or prove a maximum.

The diagram is a top view, with the door at the bottom. Turning a footprint in this view does not prove that a forklift can perform that turn inside the container. The numbered rectangles identify positions; they are not an approved loading order. A tight mixed-orientation arrangement may need a different handling method from straight rows.

• White: the rectangle available after your reservations.
• Pale grey: the strip reserved at one side or at the door end.
• Green rectangles: the measured loaded footprints, with their orientation visible.
• No additional inter-pallet gaps are applied. Enter a larger footprint if your packing method needs an envelope around each load.
• A result of zero means none of the tested patterns fits these dimensions; it is not a search of all conceivable shapes or handling methods.

Why published pallet counts differ

A bare floor rectangle can accept a denser pattern than a practical loading operation. Published counts may allow for packaging, straight-line loading, wall clearance, a different internal width or a different pallet base. Comparing two counts without those assumptions can create a false impression that one supplier's container is much larger.

For the named 20ft reference, 1,200 × 800 mm rectangles with no extra size and no reserved space produce an eleven-footprint candidate. Adding overhang or an access strip can reduce that result. For the 40ft example, mixed orientations can produce twenty-five Euro footprints under the same zero-reservation assumptions. These are geometry examples, not a promise that your twenty-five loaded pallets can be handled inside.

A 40ft high cube mainly adds height to this comparison. Its floor is almost the same as the standard-height reference. Choosing high cube therefore does not automatically provide another row of pallets, and the tool never doubles a count on the assumption of stacking.

Compare standard and high-cube dimensions →

Check entry and positioning before accepting the count

Start with the loaded width and height at the door, then consider the route to the final position. A pallet truck, forklift or other handling arrangement needs its own space and a suitable surface. The tool does not model ramps, door thresholds, mast clearance, turning circles or equipment loads.

If you will retrieve individual pallets during storage, reserve an access route and decide which positions must remain reachable. A side strip entered here simply removes a rectangular area; its width is your input, not a recommended or assessed walkway. A dense arrangement for a single dispatch can be unsuitable for frequent stock picking.

Pallet condition, weight and stacking need separate checks

Two pallets with the same outline can have different construction, damage, load ratings and suitability for the goods. Confirm their condition and compatibility with the intended handling equipment. A neat drawing does not establish that a pallet or its load can be lifted safely.

Calculate the combined mass from actual packed pallet weights, plus any additional securing material and the container tare. If you are considering stacking, obtain the relevant limits for the pallet, packaging and contents, and a suitable loading arrangement. The single-layer count shown here includes no stacking allowance and no assumption about the strength of the lower load.

Calculate a loaded mass estimate →Use the refrigerated-container checklist →

Turn the plan into a supplier brief

Save the count together with the selected model, loaded footprint and reserved space. Ask the supplier to compare that record with the actual offered unit and your handling method. If the final unit is lined, modified or a different model, rerun the dimensions before relying on the drawing.

Your quote request should say whether you are buying or hiring a container, the delivery location and whether it will be loaded only after installation. The number of footprints in this tool is not the number of containers to order. You can edit the brief before sending it.

• Pallet base and measured loaded length, width and height.
• Number of loaded pallets required, packed mass and any fragile contents.
• Access space, retrieval frequency and proposed loading equipment.
• Actual floor and door dimensions to be confirmed by the supplier.
• Loading and securing responsibilities recorded separately from supply.