Cubic Meters to Pallets Converter
Convert cargo volume in cubic meters to the number of pallets needed for EUR, ISO, US 48×40 and other pallet sizes, with load height and fill rate.
Suppliers often quote cargo in cubic meters, while warehouses, hauliers and freight forwarders price by the pallet. This converter turns a volume into a pallet count for the common pallet sizes, using the load height you allow and a fill efficiency that accounts for the gaps between cartons. It also shows floor positions when pallets can be stacked.
How to use this tool
- Enter the cargo volume in cubic meters.
- Choose the pallet size, or enter a custom footprint in millimetres.
- Enter the load height above the pallet deck allowed by your warehouse or carrier.
- Set the fill efficiency and whether pallets can be stacked.
Formula
Usable volume per pallet = length × width × load height × fill efficiency
Pallets needed = ⌈cargo volume ÷ usable volume per pallet⌉
Length and width are the pallet footprint in metres, so a EUR pallet is 1.2 × 0.8 m. The result is rounded up because a part-filled pallet still takes a full space. Floor positions = ⌈pallets ÷ pallets per stack⌉.
Example
10 m³ of cartons on EUR pallets loaded 1.5 m high: one pallet holds 1.2 × 0.8 × 1.5 = 1.44 m³, so a perfect fill needs 10 ÷ 1.44 = 6.94, rounded up to 7 pallets. At a more realistic 85% fill, each pallet holds 1.224 m³, so you need 8.17, or 9 pallets, and 5 floor positions if they can be double stacked.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic meters fit on a pallet?
It depends on the footprint and height: a EUR pallet loaded 1.5 m high holds 1.44 m³ gross, a 1200 × 1000 mm pallet 1.8 m³ and a US 48 × 40 in pallet about 1.86 m³.
What fill efficiency should I use?
Measure your actual carton layout. Use 100% only when it fills the available footprint and load height without voids or overhang. Volume alone cannot verify that individual cartons fit the pallet.
How high can a pallet be loaded?
Ask the warehouse or carrier for total-height, load and stability limits. This tool’s load height excludes the pallet deck; add the deck height when checking total height. Double/triple stacking requires adequate clearance and stackable loads.
Sources
Last updated: 2026-10-30