Transparent by design
Method, limits, and sources
This calculator returns a deterministic planning estimate—not a structural, transport, warehouse, or safety approval.
What the calculator does
- Keeps each carton upright and checks the base as entered.
- If allowed, checks one additional orientation with the base rotated 90°.
- Builds uniform grids for both orientations.
- Builds mixed row-band candidates in both pallet directions and checks feasible counts of each row type.
- Applies the cargo-height limit by whole carton layers.
- Applies the cargo-weight limit at individual-carton precision.
- Selects the candidate loading the most cartons, then uses fixed tie-break rules for reproducibility.
- Repeats the selected pattern from the bottom up and truncates the final layer when the loaded quantity is not a full-layer multiple.
How utilization is defined
Full-layer footprint is the area occupied by a complete recommended layer divided by pallet footprint. Loaded-envelope volume is total loaded carton volume divided by pallet footprint × the height of the layers used. A partial final layer therefore lowers loaded-envelope utilization.
Layer view and printing
Layers are numbered from the pallet upward. The browser view can step through every loaded layer; only the final layer can be partial in this model. Printing captures the currently selected layer together with the load summary and stated limitations. It is a planning handoff, not a certified loading instruction.
What it does not model
Mixed orientations are limited to axis-aligned row bands; arbitrary free-rectangle packing is not searched, so the result is a recommendation rather than a proven global optimum. The calculator does not model carton tipping, overhang, interlocking patterns, compression strength, pallet deflection, damaged materials, center of gravity, load securing, legal limits, or carrier-specific rules.
Preset sources
- European Pallet Association — EPAL Euro Pallet — EPAL Euro pallet (EPAL 1); retrieved 2026-08-28. The source lists a 1,500 kg safe working load.
- National Wooden Pallet and Container Association — Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets (2014 revision) — North America 48 × 40 in footprint; retrieved 2026-08-28. Only footprint dimensions are preset; no universal load rating is inferred.
Preset data last reviewed 2026-08-28; next scheduled review 2027-02-28.
Privacy and commercial independence
Inputs are calculated locally in your browser. This version has no account, database, upload endpoint, advertising script, or affiliate link. Optional page-level Cloudflare analytics never receives calculator inputs or results from this application. Future commercial relationships will be disclosed and will not alter calculation results.