# How many pallets fit in a 20 ft or 40 ft container

On the floor of a standard 20GP fit 11 EUR pallets (1200 × 800 mm) or 9 US 48 × 40 in pallets; a 40GP or 40HQ takes 25 EUR or 20 US pallets. Double stacking doubles that only if two loaded pallets fit under the roof.

## Key takeaways

- EUR pallets: 11 in a 20GP, 25 in a 40GP/40HQ, 27 in a 45HQ (single stack, geometric).
- US 48 × 40 in and UK 1200 × 1000 mm pallets: 9 in a 20GP, 20–22 in a 40 ft box.
- The container is 2,352 mm wide inside, so two 1,200 mm pallets side by side do not fit; pallets must turn.
- Double stacking needs two loaded pallets plus clearance under the roof and cartons strong enough to carry the top pallet.

## Pallets per container at a glance

| Pallet | 20GP | 40GP | 40HQ | 45HQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR / EPAL 1200 × 800 mm | 11 | 25 | 25 | 27 |
| ISO / UK 1200 × 1000 mm | 9 | 22 | 22 | 24 |
| US GMA 1219 × 1016 mm | 9 | 20 | 20 | 24 |
| Asia 1100 × 1100 mm | 10 | 20 | 20 | 24 |
| Australia 1165 × 1165 mm | 10 | 20 | 20 | 22 |


These are the counts that fit the typical internal floor of each box, single stacked, with pallets turned where that helps. Real loads are often one or two fewer because of door clearance, pallet overhang, uneven loading or a forklift needing room. Treat the table as the ceiling, not a promise.


## Why the width matters

A standard container is about 2,352 mm wide inside. Two EUR pallets side by side lengthwise need 2 × 1,200 = 2,400 mm, which does not fit; turned the other way, three pallets need 3 × 800 = 2,400 mm, which does not fit either. So EUR pallets go in two rows of 800 mm plus one row turned, or in mixed patterns. Square-ish pallets such as the 1,200 × 1,000 mm and 48 × 40 in footprints waste more of the width, which is why fewer of them fit.


## A note on the '10 pallets in a 20 ft' rule

You will often read that 10 standard pallets fit a 20 ft container. With a typical inside width of 2,352 mm, the geometry gives 9 pallets of 48 × 40 in or 1200 × 1000 mm, because two of them side by side across the narrow way need more than 2.35 m. Ten is possible with smaller pallets, with boxes that are a little wider, or with pallets that are not loaded to their full footprint. Measure before you promise a customer.


## Double stacking

Two pallets stacked on top of each other double the count only if both loaded pallets plus some clearance fit under the roof: about 2,393 mm in a 20GP or 40GP and 2,698 mm in a 40HQ. Pallets loaded to 1.2 m usually double-stack only in a high cube. The bottom pallet's cartons must carry the top one without crushing, and many goods are not stackable at all.

[Check pallets in a 40HQ](https://cartonmath.com/container-loading-calculator/?mode=pallets&pallet=eur&ph=120&cont=40hq): EUR pallets loaded to 1.2 m, with the double-stack check.


## Floor-loaded cartons or pallets?

Loading loose cartons straight onto the container floor usually fits more goods, because there are no pallet decks and fewer gaps. Pallets make loading and unloading faster and safer and may be required by the buyer or the warehouse. Compare both: run your carton in the [container calculator](https://cartonmath.com/container-loading-calculator/) in carton mode, then in pallet mode with your pallet height.

## FAQ

**How many EUR pallets fit in a 20 ft container?**
11 single stacked on the floor, by geometry. Allow for one fewer in practice.

**How many 48 × 40 pallets fit in a 40 ft container?**
20 single stacked in a 40GP or 40HQ by floor geometry.

**Do more pallets fit in a 40HQ than a 40GP?**
Not on the floor; both have the same floor. The high cube only adds pallets if double stacking fits under its taller roof.

**Can I double-stack pallets in a container?**
Only if two loaded pallets fit under the roof and the cartons are strong enough to carry the upper pallet.

Source page: https://cartonmath.com/guides/how-many-pallets-fit-in-a-container/
Updated: 2026-10-06
Publisher: CartonMath (https://cartonmath.com)