Footprint is only two of the three measurements
A label such as 48 × 40 describes the base length and width. It does not tell you the height of the finished shipment. Start at the floor and measure to the highest point of the wrapped load. Use the furthest outside points for length and width, including anything that extends beyond the pallet.
For this site’s calculator, those outside measurements describe the space occupied by the entire shipping unit. Gross weight includes the pallet, goods, and packaging. If you enter the goods’ weight alone or leave the pallet out of the height, you will calculate a different density.
How loaded height changes freight density
Take a hypothetical 600 lb shipping unit with a 48 × 40 in footprint. Its weight includes the pallet and packaging. Raising the finished height from 48 to 60 inches changes the result even though the base stays the same:
| Outside dimensions | Volume | Density | Density class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 × 40 × 48 in | 53.33 ft³ | 11.25 lb/ft³ | 92.5 |
| 48 × 40 × 60 in | 66.67 ft³ | 9.00 lb/ft³ | 100 |
Volume = length × width × height ÷ 1,728
Density = gross weight ÷ volume
The class examples use the 2025 NMFC density scale described by NMFTA on June 19, 2025, checked October 25, 2026. A density result is an estimate; the applicable item, packaging, handling and carrier rules can affect classification. Enter your actual measurements in the freight class calculator.
Same footprint, different pallet
EPAL 2 and EPAL 3 both have a 1,200 × 1,000 mm base. Yet EPAL lists 162 mm height and a 1,250 kg safe working load for EPAL 2, compared with 144 mm and 1,500 kg for EPAL 3. That is why matching the footprint alone does not establish the height or capacity. See the EPAL 2 and EPAL 3 specifications, checked October 25, 2026.
For an order that specifies a particular pallet standard, use the exact designation and dimensions requested by the receiver. CHEP’s regional product table lists multiple formats; one footprint is not a substitute for every destination’s requirements. Confirm the pallet type before arranging the cartons.
Plan the cartons, then measure the finished load
Use the pallet calculator to compare two uniform upright-carton orientations and estimate layers and pallet count. Enter the base dimensions you actually have and the height and weight constraints that apply to your shipment. The carton plan is a starting point: once packed, measure and weigh the complete unit before calculating its density.
The freight classification guide explains the next step, and the methodology shows the calculation conventions used on this site.
Questions before you ship
What are standard pallet dimensions in the US?
CHEP identifies 48 × 40 inches as the standard US pallet footprint. That gives length and width only. Its North American block pallet is 5.6 inches high; another pallet with the same footprint can have a different height or load rating. Specifications checked October 25, 2026.
What size is a Euro pallet?
The EPAL Euro pallet has a 1,200 × 800 mm footprint and a 144 mm empty height. EPAL also publishes other formats: its EPAL 2 and EPAL 3 pallets both measure 1,200 × 1,000 mm across the base. Specifications checked October 25, 2026.
How much weight can a pallet hold?
Use the rating for the particular pallet and loading conditions. For example, CHEP specifies 2,800 lb for its North American block pallet under normal operating circumstances with a uniformly distributed load. EPAL specifies a 1,500 kg safe working load for its Euro pallet. These are product ratings, not universal limits for each footprint. Specifications checked October 25, 2026.
Does freight height include the wooden pallet?
For this site’s density calculation, use the finished shipping unit: floor to highest point, including the pallet, goods, and packaging. Use its complete outside length and width and gross weight. The pallet’s empty height alone is not the shipment height.