Three numbers decide almost every pallet question: the footprint, the weight of the pallet itself, and what it will carry. Get them right and loading plans, racking calculations and freight quotes all fall into place. Here they are, together with how many pallets actually fit in a truck.
Standard pallet sizes
| Pallet | Dimensions (mm) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet EPAL/UIC | 1200 × 800 × 144 | approx. 25 kg |
| Industrial pallet | 1200 × 1000 × 144 | approx. 30 kg |
| Half pallet (Düsseldorf) | 800 × 600 | approx. 10 kg |
| Quarter pallet | 600 × 400 | approx. 5 kg |
A dry euro pallet weighs between 22 and 25 kg. The same pallet after a week in the rain can pass 30 kg — which matters when you are close to an axle limit or paying for air freight.
Load capacity of a euro pallet
- Dynamic load: 1500 kg — the pallet is being lifted and moved.
- Static load: 4000 kg — standing still on a flat floor.
- Racking load: 1000 kg — supported only on two beams, with nothing under the middle.
The racking figure is the one most often overlooked, and it is the lowest of the three. A pallet that carries 1500 kg happily on a forklift is not rated for the same weight spanning two rails.
How many pallets fit in a truck
| Vehicle | Euro pallets |
|---|---|
| Semi-trailer, 13.6 m | 33 in one layer, up to 66 double-stacked |
| Rigid truck, 7.2 m | 18 |
| Van up to 3.5 t | 4–6 |
| 20-foot container | 11 |
| 40-foot container | 24–25 |
Remember that the pallets themselves are payload: 33 euro pallets weigh over 800 kg empty, and a double-stacked trailer carries more than 1600 kg of wood before a single carton goes on.
Load height
The internal height of a standard semi-trailer is around 2.7 m. If you intend to double-stack, each layer — pallet included — has to stay within roughly 1.25 m. Plan the carton layout around that figure rather than discovering it at the loading bay.
Need pallets?
G-PAL supplies euro pallets, industrial pallets and non-standard sizes made to order. Call +359 877 166 555 or email [email protected]. See the pallet range.
