A standard 13.6 m semi-trailer takes 33 euro pallets (120 × 80 cm) in a single layer or 26 industrial pallets (120 × 100 cm), with a payload of about 24 t. In theory 34 euro pallets fit on 13.6 m, but in practice 33 is the planning figure. A 12 t rigid truck takes up to 18 euro pallets, a 7.5 t truck up to 15, a curtain van up to 3.5 t about 10 and a box van up to 3.5 t about 5 euro pallets.
Calculate how many pallets fit
Indicative calculation – actual loading depends on the vehicle dimensions and weight distribution. Send us an enquiry and we will arrange the right vehicle.
How many euro pallets fit in a truck?
A semi-trailer has a loading length of 13.6 m and an inner width of about 2.45 m. Euro pallets are loaded crosswise, three side by side (3 × 80 cm = 240 cm). Each row uses 1.2 m of length, so eleven rows give 33 pallets. Combining crosswise and lengthwise rows gives 34 pallets on paper. However, the real inner length and width differ by a few centimetres from trailer to trailer, and pallets often overhang slightly, so 33 euro pallets is the figure to plan with.
Industrial pallets of 120 × 100 cm are loaded two side by side, and 26 of them fit on 13.6 m. A mega trailer has the same floor, so it also takes 33 euro pallets, but its inner height is about 3 m. It pays off for light, bulky goods that can be stacked.
| Vehicle | Euro pallets 120 × 80 | Industrial pallets 120 × 100 | Loading metres | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box van up to 3.5 t | 5 | 4 | 2.0 | approx. 1,000 kg |
| Curtain van up to 3.5 t | 10 | 8 | 4.0 | approx. 1,300 kg |
| Rigid truck 7.5 t | 15 | 12 | 6.0 | approx. 3,500 kg |
| Rigid truck 12 t | 18 | 14 | 7.2 | approx. 6,000 kg |
| Curtainsider trailer 13.6 m | 33 | 26 | 13.6 | approx. 24,000 kg |
| Mega trailer 13.6 m | 33 | 26 | 13.6 | approx. 24,000 kg |
The figures apply to a single layer and an inner width of 2.45 m. Dimensions and payloads of other vehicles are listed in the overview of vehicle types.
How many pallets fit in a van?
It depends on the length of the load floor. A short box van up to 3.5 t takes about 5 euro pallets, a longer curtain van with a load floor of around 4 m up to 10 euro pallets or 8 industrial pallets. With vans, though, weight is more often the limit than space: the payload is around 1,000–1,300 kg, so at 400 kg per pallet only two or three pallets can go in, even if there is floor space left. A van suits smaller and urgent shipments.
How many pallets does a rigid truck carry?
A 7.5 t rigid truck with a load floor of about 6 m takes up to 15 euro pallets or 12 industrial pallets and about 3.5 t of cargo. A 12 t rigid truck with about 7.2 m of floor takes up to 18 euro pallets or 14 industrial pallets and a payload of roughly 6 t. Rigid trucks are useful where an articulated truck cannot go, such as city centres or smaller loading docks, and for shipments too small for a full truck.
How are loading metres calculated?
A loading metre (ldm) is one metre of load floor length across the full width of the vehicle, roughly 2.4 m². To get the loading metres of a pallet, multiply its length by its width in metres and divide by 2.4. A euro pallet uses 0.4 ldm and an industrial pallet 0.5 ldm, so one loading metre holds 2.5 euro pallets or 2 industrial pallets. If the pallets are double-stacked, the result is halved. For an exact figure, use the loading metre calculator.
| Pallet type | Size | Loading metres per pallet | Pallets per ldm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet | 120 × 80 cm | 0.4 | 2.5 |
| Industrial pallet | 120 × 100 cm | 0.5 | 2 |
| Half pallet | 80 × 60 cm | 0.2 | 5 |
| Quarter pallet | 60 × 40 cm | 0.1 | 10 |
The dimensions and load capacity of the euro pallet are explained in the article on the euro pallet.
When can pallets be stacked?
Pallets can only be stacked if the goods and packaging can bear it and both layers, including the pallets, fit under the vehicle's inner height. A curtainsider trailer usually has an inner height of about 2.6 m, a mega trailer about 3 m. State whether your goods are stackable in the enquiry, because non-stackable pallets take up floor space even when there is room above them.
What decides how many pallets fit
- Pallet and vehicle dimensions – a few centimetres decide whether three pallets fit side by side or only two.
- Overhang – goods sticking out over the pallet edge count with their real footprint.
- Weight and axle load – heavy pallets are spread along the vehicle so that no axle is overloaded; with heavy goods the vehicle reaches its payload before the floor is full.
- Stackability – whether the pallets may be loaded on top of each other.
- Height – tall pallets do not fit in low vans and rule out stacking.
Which vehicle to choose
For one or a few pallets, pallet transport is the right fit: your shipment travels together with goods from other customers. When a shipment takes up most of a trailer, a full vehicle is booked – truck transport. Send us the dimensions, number and weight of your pallets via the enquiry form and we will arrange a suitable vehicle.