Pallet calculator: pallets per truckload
Pick a pallet size and a trailer to see how many pallets fit on the floor, loaded straight or turned, and what the load weighs. Works for loaded pallets or a truckload of empties.
Pallets per load
Sizes are length x width in inches, with the first number running front to back when loaded straight.
| Floor spots, loaded straight | 26 |
| Floor spots, loaded turned | 30 |
| Layers | 1 |
| Total weight | – |
| Weight limit | 44,000 lb |
Real counts depend on the trailer's inside size, door width and load bars. Your carrier has the final word.
Get a delivered truckload quoteTypical inside dimensions
Inside dimensions vary by maker and model. These are the typical numbers the calculator starts from. Check your carrier's numbers for a tight load.
| Truck | Inside length | Inside width | Inside height | Typical freight limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53-foot dry van | about 52 ft 6 in (630 in) | 98 to 101 in | 108 to 110 in | about 42,000 to 45,000 lb |
| 26-foot box truck | about 24 to 26 ft (288 to 312 in) | 96 to 98 in | 96 to 102 in | about 10,000 lb, varies by truck |
Freight limits depend on the truck, trailer and fuel weight, and on state rules. Your carrier has the real number.
Standard 48x40 pallets per load
| Truck | Loaded straight | Loaded turned | Double stacked (straight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53-foot dry van | 26 | about 30 | 52, if loads are under about 54 in tall and the weight allows |
| 26-foot box truck | 12 | up to 14 in wider boxes | only for short, light loads |
"Straight" means the 48-inch side runs front to back. "Turned" means the 40-inch side runs front to back, which needs about 96 inches of inside width for two across.
How many empty pallets are in a truckload?
A full truckload of empty 48x40 pallets is usually about 500 to 580 pallets. The count depends on how tall the stacks go, whether the stacks are loaded straight or turned, and the trailer's inside height. Switch the calculator to empty pallets to run your own numbers.
Need a truckload? We deliver recycled and new 48x40 pallets by the truckload, and we pick up usable empties for free. See free pallet pickup.
Common questions
How many pallets fit in a 53 foot trailer?
Single stacked, 26 standard 48x40 pallets loaded straight, or about 30 loaded turned. Double stacking doubles that when the loads are short enough and the weight allows.
How many pallets fit on a truck like a 26-foot box truck?
Usually 12 standard 48x40 pallets loaded straight, single stacked. Some wider box trucks fit 14 loaded turned.
How many pallets are in a truckload of empties?
About 500 to 580 empty 48x40 pallets, depending on stack height and how the stacks are loaded.
How heavy can a truckload be?
Most 53-foot dry vans can haul about 42,000 to 45,000 lb of freight, depending on the truck and trailer weight. Check with your carrier.
Get a delivered price
Pricing comes back within two business days, with freight in the price.
Buying several things? Send one invoice for a free cost review.