How many 48 × 40 in pallets fit in a 40ft reefer?
48 × 40 in pallets of 1,219 × 1,016 × 1,200 mm (also called GMA pallets, standard US pallets) in a 40-foot high-cube refrigerated container (40RH) — inner dimensions 11,583 × 2,294 × 2,557 mm. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Single layer, floor-loaded (standard practice). 44% of the space used, 1 layer high, about 10,000 kg (34% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (20 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (1 layer)
The answer in detail
The 48 × 40 in GMA pallet is the North American standard. Its 40 in width is what lets two fit side by side in a 53ft trailer either way round ("straight" or "turned").
Inner length and width are reduced by the insulation and the machinery. Cargo must not block the airflow along the ceiling or the T-floor.
The simple grid estimate is 9 along the length × 2 across × 1 high = 18. The engine found 20 — 2 more than either uniform grid — by mixing orientations so that the leftover strip along the wall is used. The top view above shows the pattern.
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single layer, floor-loaded (standard practice) (headline figure) | 20 | 1 | 44% | 10,000 kg (34% of payload) |
| Double-stacked (only if each loaded pallet is at most 1,278 mm tall and rated to carry another) | 40 | 2 | 87% | 20,000 kg (69% of payload) |
How many 40ft reefers for a given order?
| 48 × 40 in pallets | 10 | 20 | 33 | 50 | 100 | 250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft reefers needed | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 13 |
| Last one filled to | 50% | 100% | 65% | 50% | 100% | 50% |
Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked
How many 48 × 40 in pallets fit in a 40ft reefer?
20 48 × 40 in pallets of 1,219 × 1,016 × 1,200 mm fit in a 40ft reefer (inner dimensions 11,583 × 2,294 × 2,557 mm), single layer, floor-loaded (standard practice). That uses 44% of the 67.9 m³ available and weighs about 10,000 kg.
What are the inner dimensions of a 40ft reefer?
Typical inner dimensions are 11,583 mm long, 2,294 mm wide and 2,557 mm high (456.0 × 90.3 × 100.7 in), giving 67.9 m³ of space and a rated payload of about 29,000 kg. Individual units vary by a few centimetres, so check the actual box for tight loads.
How much does a full load of 48 × 40 in pallets weigh?
20 × 500 kg ≈ 10,000 kg, which is 34% of the 29,000 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 rotation on the floor plane only, no stacking 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.