Many Lights Tools

How many fit? Box and pallet loading calculator

Enter the outside size of the small box (the item) and the inside size of the container (a larger box or a pallet). You get the count for the best layout found, and a diagram of it. Use it for a first look at packing cartons or loading pallets. The result is a rough guide: packing material, bulging and load shifting are not taken into account.

Made for people in shipping, warehouses and online-shop fulfilment who want a quick idea of how many items fit in a carton, or how many cases fit on a pallet.

Container (inside size)

This fills in the width and depth. For the height, enter the maximum height of the load.

Item (outside size)
Unit and orientation
Optional settings (gap and weight)

If you enter a limit, enter the weight of one item as well. Enter both weights in the same unit.

How to use

  1. Enter the inside size of the container and the outside size of the item. You can pick a common pallet size from the list.
  2. Choose the unit (mm, cm or inch) and whether the item may be turned. Enter a weight limit or a gap only if you need them.
  3. You get the count, a top view, a side view and a table that compares orientations (the result updates by itself when you change a number). “Print” gives a sheet with just the figures and numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Are the numbers I enter sent anywhere?
No. The calculation happens entirely in your browser, and the numbers are not stored. They are gone when you close the page. The page only sends anonymous counts: that a page was opened, and that an action such as “calculated” or “the print dialog was opened” happened. See the Privacy Policy.
Is the count the largest possible?
It is the largest count among the layouts that were tried, and it may not be the best possible. Each layer is either (1) a plain grid with every item the same way round, or (2) a layer split into two blocks so that two orientations are mixed, whichever holds more (every layer uses the same pattern). Layouts that change the orientation from layer to layer, items placed at an angle, and layers split into three or more blocks are not tried, so more may fit in practice.
What is the difference between “may be turned” and “keep upright”?
“May be turned” lets the item lie down or stand up, so all three choices of which edge is vertical are tried (in each of them, turning the item around the vertical axis is tried too). “Keep upright” keeps the item's height edge vertical and tries only turning it around that axis. Choose it for items that must not be laid down.
How is the gap handled?
A gap of the width you enter is left between items (sideways, front to back and up and down). No gap is left between an item and the wall of the container. To allow for packing material, add its thickness to the item's size.
How is the weight limit used?
If you enter the weight of one item and the limit for the total weight of the contents, the tool works out how many items the weight allows, compares it with how many fit by shape, and gives the smaller number. Enter both in the same unit (kg or lb). The weight of the container itself and any legal or carrier weight limits are not taken into account. This tool does not judge weight or safety.
How do the pallet sizes work?
You can pick T11 (1100×1100 mm), Euro (1200×800 mm), ISO (1200×1000 mm) or North American (48×40 inch). The width and depth of the container are filled in, in the unit you chose. Enter the height yourself, as the maximum height of the load. Layouts that overhang the pallet are not counted.
Does it take packing material or load shifting into account?
No. Items are counted as rigid boxes of exactly the size you enter. Packing material, bulging cartons, load shifting and carrier or warehouse rules (such as a height limit) are not included. Check with the real thing before you pack.
How large can the numbers be?
Each number can be up to 1,000,000. If the item is so small that more than 20,000 would fit along one side of the container, the tool does not calculate.
How does printing work?
Press “Print” to open your browser's print dialog. Only the result (the conditions, the count, the figures and the table) comes out on paper. To keep a PDF, set the destination to “Save as PDF” in the print dialog.
Does it cost anything?
It is free, and there is no sign-up.

Before you use it