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Length imperial. Weight lb. Currency USD. Weight uses 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg. Currency converts US-dollar planning prices and does not change volumes, counts, or geometry.

20 ft dry, US 48×40 pallets: Pallet Count, CBM, and Payload

20 ft dry, US 48×40 pallets

Formula SSC-2026.1

Floor grid · SSC-2026.1

Pallets on the floor

9

One level

Pallets in the box

9

567 cartons

Cargo volume

21.41 m³

756 ft³

Payload

17,370 lb

7,879 kg · limit 62,170 lb

Billable weight

17,370 lb

DIM 7,882 lb · actual 17,370 lb

Freight cost

$1,819.64

$3.21 per carton

Container floor planLive scaled blueprint
20 ft dry · 9 floor slots · 1 levelPayload 28% of planning limit

Each rectangle is one pallet slot on the floor. A second level uses the same footprint when the stackable toggle and the internal height both allow it.

Bill of materials and shopping list
ItemNetWasteOrderUnit priceLine total
US GMA 48×40 in pallets9 floorsingle height9 palletsTare is included in payload360 lb
Cartons9 per layer7 layers567 cartons30.0 lb each17,010 lb
Freight21.41 m³DIM vs actual17,370 lbUSD$1,819.64
Side-by-side container comparison for this pallet and carton
ContainerFloor slotsPalletsm³ft³PayloadLimitFreight
20 ft dry9921.4175617,370 lb62,170 lb$1,819.64
40 ft dry202047.571,68038,600 lb58,863 lb$4,043.65
40 ft high cube202054.371,92044,000 lb58,422 lb$4,621.31
53 ft US trailer303081.552,88066,000 lb45,000 lb$6,931.96
Show the deterministic formula

Floor slots are a non-overlapping grid. The count is the better of one orientation, two orientations side by side, or repeated columns across the internal width. Euro 1200×800 mm resolves to 11 slots in a 20 ft dry container and 25 in a 40 ft dry container.

Cartons per pallet are the same grid on the pallet deck, times the layers that fit above a 150 mm deck and below the internal height, with 50 mm of clearance. Stackable freight uses two levels only when both levels fit.

Cargo volume is the carton cube. Volumetric weight is 167 kg per cubic meter. Billable weight is the greater of actual payload, including pallet tare, and volumetric weight. A per-cubic-meter rate uses the carton cube. A per-tonne or per-pound rate uses the billable weight. Payload limits are planning figures, not a carrier scale ticket.

Contractor sign-off

Project: 20 ft dry, US 48×40 pallets: Pallet Count, CBM, and Payload

Prepared by

Date

Verified by (PE / electrician / inspector)

License number

Signature

This sheet is an estimate for ordering and layout discussion. It is not a sealed design. Confirm the quantities with a licensed local professional and the authority having jurisdiction before you buy or build.

Engineering notes

20 ft dry, US 48×40 pallets. The floor plan uses the internal length and width only, so a high cube changes stack height, not the floor count. Cartons on this preset are 16 by 12 by 12 in at 30 lb. Volumetric weight is 167 kg per cubic meter of that carton cube. Billable weight is the greater of actual payload, including pallet tare, and volumetric weight. The plan is one pallet high.

Code reference

Floor counts use ISO internal planning dimensions for dry containers and a 52 ft 6 in by 98.5 in trailer interior. Payload limits are planning figures, not a booking or an axle-weight ticket.

Field questions

How are the pallet slots arranged?
The calculator tries one orientation and a two-column mix, then keeps the layout that places more pallets without overlap.
Does the high cube hold more pallets on the floor?
No. Floor count follows length and width. The extra height only helps when the cartons or a second pallet level need it.
What payload limit is used?
Typical ISO planning payloads for the dry containers, and 45,000 lb for the 53 ft trailer. The carrier's booking can be lower.

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