How many 48 × 48 in pallets fit in a 20ft container?
48 × 48 in pallets of 1,219 × 1,219 × 1,200 mm (also called drum pallets, square US pallets) in a 20-foot standard container (20GP) — inner dimensions 5,898 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Single layer, floor-loaded (standard practice). 21% of the space used, 1 layer high, about 2,400 kg (9% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (4 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (1 layer)
The answer in detail
The square 48 × 48 in pallet is common for drums (four 55-gallon drums per pallet) and for chemicals. Two across need 2,438 mm, which is more than an ISO container offers — so in sea containers they load in a single row.
The most common dry container for smaller export loads. Inner dimensions are typical for a steel ISO 20GP; individual boxes vary by a few centimetres, and the door opening (about 2,340 × 2,280 mm) is slightly smaller than the inside.
The simple grid estimate is 4 along the length × 1 across × 1 high = 4. Here no mixed pattern beats the best uniform grid, so the engine's plan is exactly that grid (4).
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single layer, floor-loaded (standard practice) (headline figure) | 4 | 1 | 21% | 2,400 kg (9% of payload) |
| Double-stacked (only if each loaded pallet is at most 1,196 mm tall and rated to carry another) | 4 | 1 | 21% | 2,400 kg (9% of payload) |
How many 20ft containers for a given order?
| 48 × 48 in pallets | 10 | 20 | 33 | 50 | 100 | 250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft containers needed | 3 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 25 | 63 |
| Last one filled to | 50% | 100% | 25% | 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 × 48 in pallets fit in a 20ft container?
4 48 × 48 in pallets of 1,219 × 1,219 × 1,200 mm fit in a 20ft container (inner dimensions 5,898 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm), single layer, floor-loaded (standard practice). That uses 21% of the 33.2 m³ available and weighs about 2,400 kg.
What are the inner dimensions of a 20ft container?
Typical inner dimensions are 5,898 mm long, 2,352 mm wide and 2,393 mm high (232.2 × 92.6 × 94.2 in), giving 33.2 m³ of space and a rated payload of about 28,200 kg. Individual units vary by a few centimetres, so check the actual box for tight loads.
How much does a full load of 48 × 48 in pallets weigh?
4 × 600 kg ≈ 2,400 kg, which is 9% of the 28,200 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.