How many 48 × 48 in pallets fit in a 45ft high cube?
48 × 48 in pallets of 1,219 × 1,219 × 1,200 mm (also called drum pallets, square US pallets) in a 45-foot high-cube container (45HC) — inner dimensions 13,556 × 2,352 × 2,698 mm. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Single layer, floor-loaded (standard practice). 23% of the space used, 1 layer high, about 6,600 kg (24% of payload). Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (11 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.
An extra 1.5 m of length over a 40HC, popular for European intermodal moves where a 45ft box matches a 13.6 m trailer.
The simple grid estimate is 11 along the length × 1 across × 1 high = 11. Here no mixed pattern beats the best uniform grid, so the engine's plan is exactly that grid (11).
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single layer, floor-loaded (standard practice) (headline figure) | 11 | 1 | 23% | 6,600 kg (24% of payload) |
| Double-stacked (only if each loaded pallet is at most 1,349 mm tall and rated to carry another) | 22 | 2 | 46% | 13,200 kg (48% of payload) |
How many 45ft high cubes for a given order?
| 48 × 48 in pallets | 10 | 20 | 33 | 50 | 100 | 250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45ft high cubes needed | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 23 |
| Last one filled to | 91% | 82% | 100% | 55% | 9% | 73% |
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 45ft high cube?
11 48 × 48 in pallets of 1,219 × 1,219 × 1,200 mm fit in a 45ft high cube (inner dimensions 13,556 × 2,352 × 2,698 mm), single layer, floor-loaded (standard practice). That uses 23% of the 86.0 m³ available and weighs about 6,600 kg.
What are the inner dimensions of a 45ft high cube?
Typical inner dimensions are 13,556 mm long, 2,352 mm wide and 2,698 mm high (533.7 × 92.6 × 106.2 in), giving 86.0 m³ of space and a rated payload of about 27,600 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?
11 × 600 kg ≈ 6,600 kg, which is 24% of the 27,600 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.