Ten standard-footprint loads
A 48 × 40 × 60 in rectangular load is 115,200 cubic inches, or 66.67 cubic feet. Ten loads total 666.67 cubic feet.
Pallet Volume Calculator
Convert loaded pallet dimensions and pallet count into cubic feet, cubic meters, and floor footprint before requesting a freight quote.
What this calculator does
Measure the longest loaded length, widest loaded width, and total loaded height, including the pallet. The calculator treats each load as a rectangular prism and keeps carrier pricing outside the result.
Calculate loaded pallet volume
Interactive calculator
Enter your values
Use the outer loaded dimensions, not only the pallet deck. Enter one common loaded size for all pallets in this scenario.
Primary result
Total volume666.67 cu ft
Total cubic meters18.88 m³
Volume per pallet66.67 cu ft
Cubic meters per pallet1.89 m³
Footprint per pallet13.33 sq ft
Pallet count10
Ten loaded pallets at 48 × 40 × 60 inches occupy about 666.67 cubic feet, or 18.88 cubic meters, before carrier-specific space and handling rules.
Formula and methodology
Volume per pallet = loaded length × loaded width × loaded height. Total volume is volume per pallet × pallet count.
- For inches, cubic feet = cubic inches ÷ 1,728.
- For centimeters, cubic meters = cubic centimeters ÷ 1,000,000.
- 1 cubic meter = 35.3146667 cubic feet.
- Footprint uses length × width and excludes stacking assumptions.
Worked examples
Metric load
Two 120 × 100 × 150 cm loads each occupy 1.8 m³, for 3.6 m³ total.
How to use the result
Sensitivity hint: Loaded height moves the volume directly and is often the easiest measurement to miss. Overhang, protrusions, and irregular tops can make the billable outer dimensions larger than the pallet deck.
Common mistakes
- Measuring only the pallet deck while freight extends beyond it.
- Leaving the pallet base out of loaded height.
- Treating geometric CBM as a guaranteed chargeable measure, trailer fit, stackability decision, or freight class.
What to do next
Send the measured dimensions, weight, pallet count, stackability, commodity, origin, and destination to the carrier or broker. Ask which outer dimensions and minimum charges control the quote.
Sources and assumptions
- NIST: SI Units – Length — inch, foot, centimeter, and meter relationships used in unit conversion.
- CalculatorShelf Source Guide — unit-conversion and shipping-estimate boundaries.
Limitations: This is rectangular-prism geometry only. It does not calculate freight class, density class, chargeable weight, trailer positions, stackability, weight distribution, load rating, accessorial fees, or a carrier quote.
Pallet Volume Calculator FAQs
Does pallet volume include the pallet itself?
Yes, when the entered loaded height and outer length and width include it. Measure the full handling unit as presented for shipping.
Is CBM the same as chargeable volume?
CBM is geometric cubic meters. A carrier may apply minimums, density rules, weight comparisons, stackability rules, or other pricing methods.
Can I use mixed pallet sizes?
Calculate each size group separately, then add their cubic feet or cubic meters. This page applies one dimension set to the entered count.
Does total volume prove the pallets fit in a trailer?
No. Trailer fit depends on floor layout, door clearance, axle and weight limits, orientation, securement, and whether loads can be stacked.
Calculator-specific review
Decision supported: Calculate loaded pallet volume and footprint before comparing it with a carrier or facility limit.
Inputs and two scenarios
The inputs below are scenario controls, not facts supplied by a source. Change the values to see how this calculator responds to the decision you are making.
published default example: Loaded length: 48; Loaded width: 40; Loaded height: 60; Pallet count: 10; Dimension unit: Inches.
materially different higher pallet volume calculator scenario: Loaded length: 72; Loaded width: 60; Loaded height: 90; Pallet count: 10; Dimension unit: Centimeters.
What changes the result
Each dimension and pallet count scales volume directly.
Method and evidence boundary
Length × width × loaded height × pallet count is converted to cubic feet and cubic meters. Volume conversion is mathematical; actual billable volume, weight, stackability, and overhang are external rules.