How many pallets fit in a 40ft high cube?

21 pallets fit in a 40ft HC container, single stacked (one layer).

✓ 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

The plan stands them 10 with the long side along the length and 11 turned; they cover 92% of the floor and 7.8 in (19.8 cm) of floor stays free at the door. Top view — door left, back wall right.

What changes the answer most

Stacking changes the answer most: if two may go on top of each other and each loaded pallet is at most 52.4 in (133 cm) tall, 42 pallets fit.

21 pallets × 660 lb (299 kg) = 13,860 lb (6,287 kg), against a payload of 57,937 lb (26,280 kg). Each one may weigh up to 2,759 lb (1,251 kg) before the payload, not the space, sets the number.

The door is 92.1 × 101.5 in: a piece up to 101.5 in (257.7 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 48 in (121.9 cm) tall and 660 lb (299 kg) each.
Stacking: no — nothing goes on top of a pallet.
Pallets may be turned on the floor (long side along or across); they stay upright.
Inside size 473.7 × 92.2 × 105.9 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 × 101.5 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.

Length (in)
Width (in)
Height (in)
Weight each (lb)
Stacking
Keep upright

Result

21 fit

✓ Checked: door, payload, floor support and stacking rules re-measured

Top view — door left, back wall right.

Mixed cargo? Pallets, cartons and crates in one load — the planner opens with this cargo already in it.

Paste your packing list in the planner

The same pallet elsewhere

Equipment	How many fit
40ft HC container (this page)	21 pallets
53ft trailer	30 pallets
40ft container	21 pallets
20ft container	10 pallets
26ft box truck	13 pallets
48ft trailer	28 pallets
40ft HC reefer container	20 pallets
20ft reefer container	9 pallets
Sprinter van	4 pallets
45ft HC container	24 pallets

Also asked as: “how many pallets in a 40ft high cube” · “pallets in a 40HQ container” · “40 hq container loading calculator”