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Efficient goods dispatch depends on knowing your transport vehicles’ capacities. The number of pallet spaces available in a truck determines how much cargo can be moved in a single load and which vehicle is suitable for each order. However, pallet capacity varies depending on both the pallet size and the vehicle type. This guide explains how to calculate pallet spaces and provides an interactive tool to help you plan your loads.
How many pallets fit in a truck?
The number of pallet spaces in a truck depends primarily on two factors:
- Pallet size and type
- Truck type and loading area dimensions
Before looking at the various types and dimensions in detail, it is worth noting that a truck typically holds between 12 and 34 pallets, depending on the pallets and the vehicle.
Knowing your vehicle’s exact capacity is crucial for day-to-day operations. It enables you to plan warehouse dispatch, schedule deliveries, optimise routes, and maximise fleet utilisation, ultimately improving order fulfilment and logistics efficiency.
Standard pallet sizes for goods transport
To simplify logistics workflows, standardised pallets are used for national and international freight transport. The two main standards in the UK and Europe are:
- Euro pallets (EPAL): 1200 mm x 800 mm x 144 mm, governed by BS EN 13698-1 and widely used for European freight
- UK standard pallets: 1200 mm x 1000 mm x 144 mm, governed by BS EN 13698-2 and preferred for domestic logistics
These standardised dimensions ensure that transport equipment and storage facilities are all compatible, including for fork widths on pallet trucks and stacker trucks.
Euro pallets are also available in other sizes. The table below shows some of the most common ones:
| Pallet | Dimensions (Length / Width / Height in mm) | Base Area | Weight (approx.) | Load Capacity (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euro 1 Pallet | 1200 x 800 x 144 | 0,96 m2 | 25 kg | 1500 kg |
| Euro 2 Pallet | 1200 x 1000 x 162 | 1,2 m2 | 35 kg | 1250 kg |
| Euro 3 Pallet | 1000 x 1200 x 144 | 1,2 m2 | 30 kg | 1500 kg |
| Euro 6 Pallet (“half pallet”) | 800 x 600 x 144 | 0,48 m2 | 9.5 kg | 500 kg |
UK standard pallets (also called industrial pallets) are widely used in manufacturing and mechanical engineering. At 1200 × 1000 × 144 mm, they’re 200 mm wider than Euro pallets, making them ideal for bulkier goods such as industrial containers, canisters, and drums. They are particularly common in the chemical and automotive industries and serve as the standard for UK domestic logistics.
Other pallet sizes are also available, including half pallets, quarter pallets, and display pallets. These are less common and are mainly used for retail displays. Because their dimensions are based on fractions of a Euro pallet, they fit together efficiently and make space planning straightforward.
How to calculate a truck’s pallet capacity
You can also calculate pallet capacity manually using a simple formula. To do this, you need to know the vehicle type and pallet dimensions.
Vehicle types vary considerably. Trucks used for freight transport range from small rigid vehicles to large articulated lorries, but two main types are particularly common in the UK. 7.5-tonne rigid trucks are frequently used for regional and local deliveries, while 44-tonne articulated lorries handle long-distance national and international transport.
Regardless of vehicle type, freight trucks typically have an internal width of around 2.4 metres. This means that exactly two pallets fit side-by-side when loaded crosswise (Euro or industrial pallets are both 1200 mm wide), or three Euro pallets fit across when loaded lengthwise (800 mm deep each).
This pattern repeats along the length of the loading area. For example, in a six-metre loading bay, you can transport:
- 10 UK standard pallets (1200 x 1000 mm) — arranged as 2 across 5 rows
- 15 Euro pallets (1200 x 800 mm) — arranged as 3 across 5 rows
These arrangements are illustrated in the loading plans below:
To find out how many pallets a truck can hold, divide the loading-area length by the pallet dimension that runs along the vehicle, then multiply the result by the number of pallets per row:
Take a practical example: how many pallets fit in a 44-tonne articulated lorry? A standard articulated lorry has internal dimensions of approximately 13.6 m long, 2.4 m wide and 2.7 m high. Using the formula, this means you can fit 33 Euro pallets lengthwise or 34 crosswise.
Euro pallets arranged crosswise:
13.6 m
———— x 2 = 34 pallets
0.80 m
Euro pallets arranged lengthwise:
13.6 m
———— x 3 = 33 Pallets
1.20 m
Pallet capacity by vehicle type
If you don’t know your exact vehicle dimensions or want to quickly determine which truck size you need, use the table below. It shows the most common UK vehicle types, their typical loading area dimensions, and standard pallet capacity for both Euro pallets (1200 x 800 mm) and UK standard pallets (1200 x 1000 mm).
| Vehicle type | Permissible gross weight (tonnes) | Payload in tonnes | Loading space (length × width × height in metres) | Number of Euro pallets (1200 × 800 × 144 mm) | Number of UK standard pallets (1200 × 1000 × 144 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5-tonne rigid truck | 7.5 | 2.8 | 6 × 2.45 × 2.40 | 15 | 12 |
| 9-tonne rigid truck | 9 | 3.5 | 7.20 × 2.45 × 2.40 | 18 | 14 |
| 12-tonne rigid truck | 12 | 6 | 7.20 × 2.45 × 2.70 | 18 | 14 |
| 18-tonne rigid truck | 18 | 10 | 7.20 × 2.45 × 2.50 | 18 | 14 |
| 26-tonne rigid truck | 26 | 12 | 7.30 × 2.45 × 2.40 | 18 | 14 |
| Articulated lorry with swap bodies | 40 | 24 | 2 ×: 7.30 × 2.45 × 2.40 | 36 | 28 |
| 44-tonne articulated lorry | 44 | 24-26 | 13.6 × 2.45 × 2.70 | 34 | 26 |
It may not always be possible to load the maximum number of pallets. In practice, heavy goods may cause the vehicle to reach its maximum payload or axle-load limit before all the pallet spaces are filled, reducing the number of pallets you can transport.
Weight distribution requirements
When loading a truck with pallets, make sure that you don’t exceed the permitted gross weight listed in the table above or in the vehicle registration document, also known as the V5C logbook.
Weight distribution within the loading space is equally important. The full payload capacity can only be used when the load is evenly distributed with the centre of gravity positioned centrally within the loading area. You must also observe axle load limits.
These rules exist to prevent accidents caused by incorrect load distribution and keep trucks safe on the road. Uneven loading can cause axle and tyre damage and impair the vehicle’s stability and braking performance. For this reason, UK law sets strict requirements for weight distribution in commercial vehicles.
In the UK, weight distribution and load securing are regulated by:
- The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 – sets vehicle construction and weight requirements
- The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – places duties on employers to ensure safe working practices
- Department for Transport Code of Practice: “Safety of Loads on Vehicles” – provides practical guidance on load securing and distribution
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) guidance – offers detailed advice on load-securing methods
Operators must ensure that loads are properly distributed and secured. While UK law does not mandate a formal written load-distribution plan for all journeys, preparing one is strongly recommended as evidence of compliance and to demonstrate due diligence in the event of an inspection or incident.
How do you load pallets into a truck?
Once you know how many pallets fit in your truck, it’s time to load them. To make full use of the available space, ensure every step is as efficient as possible, from preparation through to final loading.
- Loading pallets
Once the goods are ready for dispatch, load them from the order-picking trolley onto the pallets. Choose a palletising technique that allows you to fit as many goods as possible securely on each pallet. For example, stack packages in a staggered pattern or group differently shaped products in a suitable container first. For unusually shaped goods, such as gas cylinders, use specialist pallets.
Always observe the load capacity of your pallets. A standard Euro pallet can carry 1500 kg with an evenly distributed load and 1000 kg under point loading, when the weight is concentrated in one area. - Securing the load on the pallet
Secure the load properly to prevent goods from slipping off the pallet during transport. Wrapping is quick and effective for pallets loaded with many small packages, while straps or specialist brackets work best for larger packaging units.
- Loading the truck
Transport the pallets to the warehouse loading area or load them directly onto the truck. Use forklifts for very heavy or bulky consignments and pallet trucks for lighter, more compact loads.
- Optimising storage space
Follow the loading plan and position pallets to minimise gaps and optimise capacity.
- Securing the load in the truck
Finally, secure the pallets and their loads in the truck with lashing straps, belts, and ropes. For particularly heavy items, install additional safety barriers to prevent goods from shifting in transit.
FAQ for how many pallets fit in a truck
A truck typically holds between 12 and 34 pallets. The exact number depends on the type and size of the pallets, as well as the type and size of the loading area.
Freight trucks typically have an internal width of around 2.4 metres, while a standard Euro pallet measures 1200 x 800 mm. This means that two Euro pallets fit crosswise or three lengthwise in a row. A 7.5-tonne rigid truck with a six-metre loading area can therefore hold 15 Euro pallets arranged lengthwise or 14 arranged crosswise.
At 1200 x 1000 mm, a UK standard pallet (also called an industrial pallet) is slightly larger than a Euro pallet. A truck with a 6 m x 2.4 m loading area can optimally hold 12 UK standard pallets.
Divide the loading-area length by the pallet dimension that runs along the vehicle, depending on how the pallets are arranged. Round down to the nearest whole number where necessary, then multiply the result by the number of pallets per row.
Yes. Many pallet types are based on Euro pallet dimensions, so different sizes can be combined, provided the load is stable and the available space is used efficiently. For example, quarter and half pallets can fit into the space occupied by one standard Euro pallet.
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@Jungheinrich AG
