Warehouse Storage Cost Calculator
Estimate a 3PL warehouse bill from storage rates per pallet, square foot or cubic foot, handling fees, pick and pack and monthly minimums.
Third-party warehouses (3PLs) rarely charge one price: there is a storage rate, fees to receive and ship each pallet, sometimes pick-and-pack and account fees, and often a monthly minimum. This calculator adds them up into a monthly bill and an all-in cost per pallet, so quotes priced in different ways can be compared fairly.
How to use this tool
- Choose how storage is priced: per pallet, per square foot or per cubic foot each month.
- Enter the average amount stored and the storage rate.
- Enter the pallets received and shipped each month and the fee for each.
- Add pick-and-pack orders, account fees and any monthly minimum, then the number of months.
Formula
Monthly bill = max(Storage + Handling + Pick & pack + Account fee, Monthly minimum)
Storage = Amount stored × Storage rate
Handling = Pallets in × Receiving fee + Pallets out × Outbound fee
The all-in cost per unit divides the monthly bill by the average amount stored. Stock that turns over quickly pays more in handling than in storage, so the lowest storage rate is not always the cheapest quote. Monthly quantities may be averages. The same activity repeats for every month, and the minimum applies to the entire modeled bill; contracts with a storage-only minimum need a different calculation.
Example
150 pallets at $18 per pallet per month cost $2,700 in storage. Receiving and shipping 60 pallets each way at $8 a pallet adds $960 of handling, for a $3,660 monthly bill — an all-in $24.40 per pallet. Over 12 months the cost is $43,920.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a per-pallet quote with a per-square-foot one?
Calculate each quote using its own billed basis and compare total monthly amounts. A 48 × 40 in pallet footprint is 13⅓ ft², but billed space can include aisles or dedicated space. Use the actual quoted area.
What is a monthly minimum?
Here it is a floor on the combined monthly storage, handling, picking and account charges. Actual contracts may apply a minimum only to certain services; check the scope before using this model.
Are long-term storage fees included?
No. Some warehouses charge more for stock held beyond a set period; if that applies, add it to the storage rate.
Last updated: 2026-10-30