Pallet Calculator UK
Use this pallet calculator to check how many UK or Euro pallets fit common vans, rigids and artics by floor space and payload. It identifies the smallest likely vehicle, subject to actual internal dimensions, weight distribution and load restraint.
- No sign-up needed
- Instant results in your browser
- Published UK data
How to use: choose a pallet type, set the quantity and the weight per pallet, tick "stackable" if pallets can be double-stacked, then press Calculate. Results update instantly.
How this pallet and vehicle calculator works
The tool measures your consignment two ways and reports whichever runs out first. Floor space is the number of pallet base positions a vehicle can hold on its deck. Payload is the maximum weight the vehicle is legally allowed to carry once its own kerb weight is deducted from its gross vehicle weight. A load can be light but bulky (floor space is the limiting constraint) or small but heavy (payload is the limit), and the results table shows which one bites for every vehicle. Where you tick "stackable", the required floor positions are halved (rounded up), because two pallets then share one base position, but the total weight is unchanged.
The load metre (LDM) figure describes how much trailer length your consignment occupies. One load metre is one linear metre of a standard 2.4 m wide deck. UK pallets are assumed loaded two abreast (1.0 m deep per row), Euro pallets three abreast (1.2 m deep per row) and half pallets four abreast. Hauliers commonly price part loads by load metres, so it is a useful figure to quote when you request rates for contract haulage or a contract logistics part-load service.
Methodology and assumptions (July 2026)
Vehicle capacities are embedded as typical UK specifications. Floor pallet counts, payloads and body lengths reflect widely published figures for standard curtain-sided and box bodies:
- Luton van: about 4 UK pallets, roughly 800 kg payload, 3.5 tonne GVW.
- 3.5 tonne curtain-sider: about 6 UK pallets, roughly 1,000 kg payload.
- 7.5 tonne rigid: about 10 UK pallets, roughly 2,500 kg payload.
- 18 tonne rigid: about 14 UK pallets, roughly 9,000 kg payload.
- 26 tonne rigid: about 16 UK pallets, roughly 15,000 kg payload.
- 13.6 m artic curtain-sider: 26 UK pallets or 33 Euro pallets, roughly 27,000 kg payload.
- Double-deck artic: up to 52 UK pallets, roughly 26,000 kg payload (subject to load height on each deck).
These are typical UK specifications and exact capacity varies by trailer, body build, tail-lift, axle configuration and pallet build height. Payload in particular depends on the specific vehicle's kerb weight and any equipment fitted. Weight limits reference the UK Construction and Use Regulations and the standard 44 tonne gross combination weight for a six-axle articulated outfit. Custom pallet sizes are fitted by geometric floor packing across a 2.4 m deck and should be treated as an approximate guide. Always confirm exact capacity with the operator before booking. Sources: DVSA vehicle categories and driver licensing guidance (gov.uk), UK Construction and Use Regulations, and standard commercial trailer manufacturer specifications.
UK and Euro pallet sizes
The common UK pallet footprint is 1200 x 1000 mm, while a standard EPAL Euro pallet measures 1200 x 800 mm. There is no single maximum loaded height for a pallet: limits are set by the carrier and by the vehicle's clear internal height, body aperture, deck layout and load restraint requirements.
Safe working load depends on the pallet design, rating and condition, so always check the specification and reject damaged pallets. EPAL rates its standard Euro pallet to a 1500 kg safe working load, while 1200 x 1000 mm pallets vary by design, with recognised pooled pallets commonly rated between about 1250 and 1500 kg. In practice, payload, axle weights, weight distribution and securing can reduce what may be carried. On a full-width trailer, Euro pallets are typically arranged three across and UK pallets two across, subject to the actual clear internal dimensions and any obstructions.
| Pallet type | Footprint (mm) | Typical max load |
|---|---|---|
| UK standard | 1200 x 1000 | About 1250 to 1500 kg, varies by design |
| Euro (EPAL) | 1200 x 800 | 1500 kg safe working load |
| Half pallet | 600 x 800 | Varies by construction, check the rating |
Use the pallet calculator above with your own pallet counts, weights and vehicle requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets fit in a 13.6 m trailer?
A standard 13.6 m curtain-sided articulated trailer holds 26 UK standard pallets (1200 x 1000 mm) loaded two abreast, or 33 Euro pallets (1200 x 800 mm) loaded three abreast, on a single deck. A double-deck trailer can roughly double that to around 52 UK pallets, provided the load height on each deck is within the deck's clearance.
How many pallets can a 7.5 tonne lorry carry?
A 7.5 tonne rigid typically carries about 10 UK pallets on the floor and around 2,500 kg of payload. On a 7.5 tonne vehicle the weight limit usually bites before the floor space does, so heavy pallets will hit the payload ceiling well before the deck is full.
What is the difference between floor space and payload?
Floor space is how many pallet positions physically fit on the deck. Payload is how much weight the vehicle can legally carry. You need both to be satisfied. This tool shows the utilisation of each so you can see whether your load is volume-limited or weight-limited.
What is a load metre (LDM)?
A load metre is one linear metre of a standard 2.4 m wide trailer deck (2.4 square metres of floor). It is the common way part-load and groupage freight is measured and priced. Two UK pallets loaded side by side occupy one load metre.
Can I stack pallets to fit more on a lorry?
Only if the goods are stackable and the total build height of two pallets fits within the vehicle's internal height. Ticking the stackable box halves the floor positions needed but keeps the total weight the same, so a heavy stackable load can still be payload-limited.
Know your vehicle, now get the rate
You have the vehicle size. The next step is a competitive, licence-checked quote for it. Brief CTS on your pallets, lanes and frequency, and we place your requirement in front of vetted UK operators with the right fleet. It is free and there is no obligation.
Request quotes