How many 500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes fit on a US 48 × 40 pallet?
500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes of 500 × 400 × 400 mm (also called 50 × 40 × 40 cm cartons) 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. 92% of the space used, 4 layers high, about 264 kg (26% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (6 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (4 layers)
The answer in detail
A large parcel carton just under the 80 L mark, common for household goods and for consolidating smaller cartons.
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 × 4 high = 16, or 3 × 2 × 4 = 24 with every piece turned. Here no mixed pattern beats the best uniform grid, so the engine's plan is exactly that grid (24).
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxes may be laid on any side (headline figure) | 24 | 4 | 92% | 264 kg (26% of payload) |
| Boxes kept this-side-up (turned on the floor plane only) | 24 | 4 | 92% | 264 kg (26% of payload) |
How many US 48 × 40 pallets for a given order?
| 500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes | 100 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 48 × 40 pallets needed | 5 | 11 | 21 | 42 | 105 | 209 |
| Last one filled to | 17% | 42% | 83% | 67% | 17% | 33% |
Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked
How many 500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes fit on a US 48 × 40 pallet?
24 500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes of 500 × 400 × 400 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 92% of the 2.1 m³ available and weighs about 264 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 500 × 400 × 400 mm boxes weigh?
24 × 11 kg ≈ 264 kg, which is 26% 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.