How many pallets fit in a 40ft container, double stacked?
42 pallets fit in a 40ft container, stacked two high.
✓ Planned and checked: door, payload, floor support and stacking rules re-measured by an independent checker.
Mixed cargo? Paste your packing list — free, no sign-up
What changes the answer most
Stacking changes the answer most: not stacked, 21 pallets fit — two high only works while each loaded pallet stays under 46.5 in (118 cm).
42 pallets × 660 lb (299 kg) = 27,720 lb (12,574 kg), against a payload of 58,378 lb (26,480 kg). Each one may weigh up to 1,390 lb (630 kg) before the payload, not the space, sets the number.
The door is 92.1 × 89.5 in: a piece up to 89.5 in (227.4 cm) tall and 92.1 in (234 cm) wide goes through — the 40 in (101.6 cm) side of this pallet passes with room to spare.
What we assumed
- Pallet size 48 × 40 in (from our sourced pallet table), loaded to 46.5 in (118 cm) tall and 660 lb (299 kg) each.
- Stacking: yes — two pallets high, never three.
- Pallets may be turned on the floor (long side along or across); they stay upright.
- Inside size 473.6 × 92.5 × 93.9 in; clearance kept: 2 in on length, 0.8 in across, 0.8 in up (so the door closes and cartons may bulge).
- Door check: on — every box must pass the 92.1 × 89.5 in door in the way it is placed.
Change the size or the stacking
Change a size or the stacking — the number below is planned again in your browser and checked.
Result
42 fit
- ✓ Checked: door, payload, floor support and stacking rules re-measured
Mixed cargo? Pallets, cartons and crates in one load — the planner opens with this cargo already in it.
The same pallet elsewhere
| Equipment | How many fit |
|---|---|
| 40ft container (this page) | 42 pallets |
| 20ft container | 20 pallets |
Also asked as: “how many pallets in a 40ft container double stacked”