How many 48 × 48 in pallets fit in a 40ft reefer?
48 × 48 in pallets of 1,219 × 1,219 × 1,200 mm (also called drum pallets, square 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). 24% of the space used, 1 layer high, about 5,400 kg (19% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (9 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.
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 × 1 across × 1 high = 9. Here no mixed pattern beats the best uniform grid, so the engine's plan is exactly that grid (9).
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single layer, floor-loaded (standard practice) (headline figure) | 9 | 1 | 24% | 5,400 kg (19% of payload) |
| Double-stacked (only if each loaded pallet is at most 1,278 mm tall and rated to carry another) | 18 | 2 | 47% | 10,800 kg (37% of payload) |
How many 40ft reefers for a given order?
| 48 × 48 in pallets | 10 | 20 | 33 | 50 | 100 | 250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft reefers needed | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 28 |
| Last one filled to | 11% | 22% | 67% | 56% | 11% | 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 48 × 48 in pallets fit in a 40ft reefer?
9 48 × 48 in pallets of 1,219 × 1,219 × 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 24% of the 67.9 m³ available and weighs about 5,400 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 × 48 in pallets weigh?
9 × 600 kg ≈ 5,400 kg, which is 19% 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.