How many pallets fit in a shipping container? A standard 20ft shipping container fits around 10 UK pallets or 11 Euro pallets, while a 40ft shipping container typically fits 20 UK pallets or up to 24 Euro pallets. The exact number depends on pallet size, internal container dimensions, and loading pattern. Understanding pallet capacity helps UK buyers plan storage, logistics, and container delivery.
Many businesses researching shipping containers for sale UK compare pallet capacity to understand how much stock, equipment, or materials can realistically fit inside a container. Pallet capacity provides a simple way to visualise container storage space.
This guide explains how pallet capacity works for 20ft and 40ft shipping containers, including container dimensions, loading layouts, and practical storage planning.
How Many Pallets Fit in a Shipping Container?
A standard shipping container typically holds around 10 pallets in a 20ft container and around 20 pallets in a 40ft container. The exact number depends on pallet size, container internal dimensions, and loading arrangement.
Shipping Container Pallet Capacity Quick Guide
The table below provides a quick comparison of how many pallets typically fit in a shipping container, including both standard UK pallets and Euro pallets. This quick reference helps buyers immediately understand the storage capacity difference between 20ft and 40ft shipping containers.
| Container Size | UK Pallets | Euro Pallets |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft container | 10 pallets | 11 pallets |
| 40ft container | 20 pallets | 23–24 pallets |
A 40ft shipping container holds roughly double the pallet capacity of a 20ft container, because the internal length is approximately twice as long while the width remains the same.
What is pallet capacity in a shipping container?
Pallet capacity refers to the number of pallets that can be loaded into a shipping container based on its internal dimensions and the pallet size being used. A standard 20ft container typically holds about 10 UK pallets, while a 40ft container holds around 20 UK pallets.
What Determines How Many Pallets Fit in a Shipping Container?
Several factors determine pallet capacity inside a container.
The most important include:
• Pallet size used in the UK or Europe
• Internal container dimensions
• Cargo height and stacking ability
• Weight limits and payload capacity
• Loading pattern
Most UK warehouses use standard UK pallets measuring 1200mm × 1000mm.
Euro pallets are slightly smaller at 1200mm × 800mm, which allows more pallets to fit inside the same container footprint.
Container dimensions also affect usable storage space. Internal measurements are always slightly smaller than external measurements because of the steel walls and flooring.
Buyers planning pallet storage should also understand container specifications before purchase.
You can see the full specifications in our guides to:
• internal and external 20ft shipping container dimensions
• standard 40ft shipping container dimensions and measurements
Weight limits also affect how much palletised stock a container can safely carry.
Weight limits also affect how many pallets a container can safely carry. Even if a container has enough physical space for pallets, the total cargo weight must remain within the container’s rated payload capacity. To understand how container weight limits work, including maximum gross weight, tare weight, and payload capacity, see our guide How Much Weight Can a Shipping Container Hold? 20ft & 40ft Load Limits Explained.
For a full explanation of payload capacity and container weight limits, see:
• 20ft shipping container weight, payload and maximum load capacity
• 40ft shipping container weight and payload limits explained
How Many Pallets Fit in a 20ft Shipping Container
A 20ft shipping container typically fits 10 standard UK pallets or 11 Euro pallets when loaded in a single layer.
This configuration works because the internal container width allows two pallets side by side while the container length allows multiple rows.
Typical loading pattern:
• 2 pallets across the width
• 5 pallets along the length
• Total: 10 standard UK pallets
Smaller Euro pallets allow slightly tighter packing.
20ft Shipping Container Internal Dimensions and Pallet Capacity
The table below shows the internal dimensions of a standard 20ft shipping container in both metric and imperial measurements, along with the typical pallet capacity for UK pallets and Euro pallets.
| Specification | Metric | Imperial | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5.9 metres | 19 ft 4 in | Up to 5 pallet rows |
| Internal width | 2.35 metres | 7 ft 8 in | 2 pallets across |
| Internal height | 2.39 metres | 7 ft 10 in | Single or stacked cargo |
| UK pallets (1200 × 1000mm) | — | — | 10 pallets |
| Euro pallets (1200 × 800mm) | — | — | 11 pallets |
A 20ft container provides approximately 33 cubic metres of storage space.
Because of its compact footprint, the 20ft container is the most commonly purchased container size in the UK.
Typical uses include:
• warehouse overflow
• construction site storage
• tools and equipment storage
• agricultural supplies
The smaller footprint also makes 20ft containers easier to deliver to restricted sites using a HIAB crane lorry.
If pallet storage is your main requirement, it is worth understanding container specifications before purchasing. Our guide how to buy a 20ft shipping container explains pricing, delivery access, and condition options.
How Many Pallets Fit in a 40ft Shipping Container
A 40ft shipping container typically fits 20 standard UK pallets or 23 to 24 Euro pallets, depending on loading arrangement.
The container is roughly double the length of a 20ft unit, allowing twice as many pallet rows.
Typical loading pattern:
• 2 pallets across the width
• 10 pallets along the length
• Total: 20 standard pallets
Euro pallets can sometimes be arranged more efficiently, increasing capacity slightly.
40ft Shipping Container Internal Dimensions and Pallet Capacity
The table below outlines the internal dimensions of a standard 40ft shipping container, including metric and imperial measurements, alongside the typical pallet capacity for both UK pallets and Euro pallets.
| Specification | Metric | Imperial | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 12.03 metres | 39 ft 5 in | Up to 10 pallet rows |
| Internal width | 2.35 metres | 7 ft 8 in | 2 pallets across |
| Internal height | 2.39 metres | 7 ft 10 in | Suitable for stacked cargo |
| UK pallets (1200 × 1000mm) | — | — | 20 pallets |
| Euro pallets (1200 × 800mm) | — | — | 23–24 pallets |
A 40ft container provides approximately 67 cubic metres of internal storage volume, making it ideal for high-capacity pallet storage.
Common uses include:
• warehouse overflow storage
• logistics inventory storage
• construction project materials
• large commercial stock holding
Many businesses upgrade from a 20ft container once storage demand increases.
Businesses that require higher pallet capacity often choose larger containers. Our guide how to buy a 40ft shipping container explains pricing, delivery requirements, and how to choose between new and used units.
Pallet Capacity Comparison: 20ft vs 40ft Containers
The table below compares pallet capacity in 20ft and 40ft shipping containers, including the number of standard UK pallets and Euro pallets that typically fit inside each container size. This quick reference helps businesses compare container storage capacity and decide whether a 20ft container or a 40ft container is more suitable for palletised goods, warehouse overflow, or stock storage.
| Container Size | UK Pallets | Euro Pallets | Internal Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft container | 10 pallets | 11 pallets | ~33 m³ |
| 40ft container | 20 pallets | 23–24 pallets | ~67 m³ |
The key takeaway is simple.
A 40ft shipping container holds roughly twice as many pallets as a 20ft container, because the internal length is approximately double while the width remains the same.
However, choosing the right container size is not only about storage capacity. Delivery access, available ground space, and lifting equipment also need to be considered before ordering a container for pallet storage.
Businesses comparing storage capacity often look at both container sizes. For a full breakdown of space, storage volume, and practical use cases, see our guide 20ft vs 40ft shipping container: which size should you choose?
How Many Boxes Fit in a Shipping Container?
The number of boxes that fit in a shipping container depends on the size of the boxes, whether they are palletised, and the internal dimensions of the container.
If boxes are loaded on pallets, the container capacity is limited by pallet space. In that case:
• 20ft shipping container: around 10 pallets of boxes
• 40ft shipping container: around 20 pallets of boxes
However, if boxes are floor loaded directly without pallets, significantly more cartons can fit inside the container because pallet space and pallet height are removed from the calculation.
Typical internal container volumes:
| Container Size | Internal Volume |
|---|---|
| 20ft container | ~33 cubic metres |
| 40ft container | ~67 cubic metres |
The total number of boxes depends on the dimensions of each carton and how efficiently the boxes can be stacked.
For example:
• Small cartons may allow hundreds of boxes inside a 20ft container
• A 40ft container can hold well over a thousand smaller cartons
However, practical loading limits are also influenced by weight restrictions, stacking strength, and unloading requirements.
Many UK businesses choose palletised storage because pallets allow goods to be handled safely with forklifts and pallet trucks, making loading and unloading much faster.
Frequently Asked Questions About Container Pallet Capacity
How Many Pallets Fit in a Shipping Container?
A standard shipping container typically holds around 10 pallets in a 20ft container and around 20 pallets in a 40ft container. The exact number depends on pallet size, container internal dimensions, and loading arrangement.
Most UK warehouses use standard pallets measuring 1200mm × 1000mm, although slightly more Euro pallets (1200mm × 800mm) can fit inside the same container footprint.
How many pallets fit in a 40ft high cube container?
A 40ft high cube shipping container fits roughly 20 UK pallets or up to 24 Euro pallets, the same as a standard 40ft container. The additional height allows more vertical stacking but does not increase floor space.
How many Euro pallets fit in a shipping container?
Euro pallet capacity depends on the container size being used.
Typical pallet capacity is:
• 20ft shipping container: around 11 Euro pallets
• 40ft shipping container: around 23 to 24 Euro pallets
Euro pallets measure 1200mm × 800mm, which is narrower than standard UK pallets measuring 1200mm × 1000mm. The smaller width allows Euro pallets to be packed more tightly inside a shipping container, increasing overall pallet capacity.
For businesses storing palletised goods, Euro pallets can sometimes allow more efficient use of container space, particularly in larger containers such as 40ft units.
How many pallets fit in a 20ft high cube container?
A 20ft high cube container fits around 10 UK pallets or 11 Euro pallets, the same as a standard 20ft container. The additional height provides more vertical space rather than additional floor space.
Why Bosh Boxes Is the Best Choice
Businesses looking for new and used shipping containers benefit from working with a supplier who understands real storage requirements.
Bosh Boxes helps buyers choose the right container size and delivery method.
• UK-wide container delivery using HIAB crane lorries and sidelifters
• Thorough container inspection before dispatch
• Wind and watertight containers suitable for secure storage
• Availability of 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft containers
• Practical advice on site access and ground preparation
• Support for container conversions and custom container builds
• Fast quotes and reliable delivery schedules
How to Get Started
Choosing the right container starts with understanding how much storage space your business actually needs.
If your goods are stored on pallets, pallet capacity is the easiest way to estimate container size.
Typical rule of thumb:
• 10 pallets → choose a 20ft container
• 20 pallets → choose a 40ft container
For a fast quote and delivery availability across the UK, contact Bosh Boxes today and experience storage the Bosh Boxes Way.
