How many 18 × 18 × 16 in boxes fit on a US 48 × 40 pallet?
18 × 18 × 16 in boxes of 457 × 457 × 406 mm (also called 3 cubic foot boxes, medium moving boxes) on a US GMA pallet 48 × 40 in (stacked to 72 in) — deck 1,219 × 1,016 mm, cargo up to 1,684 mm high. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Boxes may be laid on any side. 73% of the space used, 3 layers high, about 252 kg (25% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (6 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (3 layers)
The answer in detail
The "3.0 cubic foot" medium moving box (18 × 18 × 16 in) is the box most US movers use for the bulk of a household. Lying it on its side gains height in some containers, which is why the any-orientation count is higher.
The North American grocery (GMA) pallet, 48 × 40 in, stacked to 72 in including the 5.7 in pallet (about 1,685 mm of cargo) — the height most US distribution centres accept without approval.
The simple grid estimate is 2 along the length × 2 across × 3 high = 12. The engine found 18 — 2 more than either uniform grid — by mixing orientations so that the leftover strip along the wall is used and by choosing the orientation that gives the most layers. The top view above shows the pattern.
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxes may be laid on any side (headline figure) | 18 | 3 | 73% | 252 kg (25% of payload) |
| Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only) | 16 | 4 | 65% | 224 kg (22% of payload) |
How many US 48 × 40 pallets for a given order?
| 18 × 18 × 16 in boxes | 100 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 48 × 40 pallets needed | 6 | 14 | 28 | 56 | 139 | 278 |
| Last one filled to | 56% | 89% | 78% | 56% | 89% | 78% |
Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked
How many 18 × 18 × 16 in boxes fit on a US 48 × 40 pallet?
18 18 × 18 × 16 in boxes of 457 × 457 × 406 mm fit on a US 48 × 40 pallet (deck 1,219 × 1,016 mm, cargo up to 1,684 mm high), boxes may be laid on any side. That uses 73% of the 2.1 m³ available and weighs about 252 kg.
How high can a US 48 × 40 pallet be stacked?
This plan stacks cargo to 1,829 mm including the 145 mm pallet — 1,684 mm of boxes on a 1,219 × 1,016 mm deck with no overhang, up to 1,000 kg. Many warehouses and carriers set their own limits (1.2 m, 1.8 m or 2.2 m are common), so check the receiving site's rules.
How much does a full load of 18 × 18 × 16 in boxes weigh?
18 × 14 kg ≈ 252 kg, which is 25% of the 1,000 kg payload — so this load is limited by space, not weight.
How was this number calculated?
By running the Cubestow 3D load-planning engine on the exact dimensions above, allowing all six orientations, stacking with at least 80% base support and the container's payload limit, then re-validating the plan for overlaps, support and weight. Real loads leave room for dunnage, door clearance and uneven cartons, so treat the figure as the practical maximum.