How Many Pallets Fit in a Standard Trailer?
The most common question in European road freight is deceptively simple: how many euro pallets fit in a truck? The short answer is 33 euro pallets in a standard 13.6-metre trailer. But the real answer depends on the pallet type, the vehicle, the loading pattern and — crucially — the weight of the cargo.
A standard European trailer has an internal floor length of 13.6 m and a usable width of 2.4 m. A euro pallet (EUR/EPAL) measures 120 x 80 cm. When you place pallets crosswise (the 80 cm side facing the trailer wall), three pallets fit side by side across the 2.4 m width: 3 x 0.80 m = 2.40 m. Each row of three pallets occupies 1.20 m of trailer length. With 13.6 m available, you get 11 full rows of 3 pallets, giving you 33 euro pallets on a single layer.
This is the industry standard and the number every freight forwarder works with when quoting partial loads. It also defines the loading metre (LDM) system: one euro pallet equals 0.40 LDM, and 33 pallets fill the entire 13.20 m of the trailer floor (with roughly 40 cm of space remaining at the back).
Capacity by Vehicle Type
Not every shipment requires a full 13.6-metre trailer. Smaller trucks and vans are often more cost-effective for partial loads. Here is a breakdown of euro pallet capacity by vehicle type:
| Vehicle Type | Floor Length | Internal Height | Euro Pallets (max) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard trailer 13.6 m | 13.6 m | 2.7 m | 33 |
| Curtainsider 13.6 m | 13.6 m | 2.7 m | 33 |
| Mega trailer 13.6 m | 13.6 m | 3.0 m | 33–36 |
| Solo truck 8 m | 8.0 m | 2.5 m | ~18 |
| Solo truck 6 m | 6.0 m | 2.4 m | ~14 |
| Van 4.8 m | 4.8 m | 2.1 m | ~10 |
| Van 4.2 m | 4.2 m | 2.0 m | ~8 |
The mega trailer deserves special mention. With a 3.0 m internal height (achieved by lowering the chassis), it can accommodate taller pallets or allow double-stacking of lighter goods. Some mega trailers also extend the loading floor to accommodate up to 36 euro pallets when using optimised placement, though 33 is the standard single-layer capacity.
Curtainsiders (tautliners) have the same floor dimensions as a standard box trailer but offer side-loading capability, which is often required for forklifts at warehouses without loading docks.
Different Pallet Types: How Many Fit?
Euro pallets are the most common in European transport, but they are far from the only standard. Here is how different pallet types compare in a standard 13.6 m trailer:
| Pallet Type | Dimensions (cm) | Pallets per Trailer | LDM per Pallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet (EUR) | 120 x 80 | 33 | 0.40 |
| Industrial pallet | 120 x 120 | 22 | 0.60 |
| Finnish pallet (FIN) | 120 x 100 | 26 | 0.50 |
| Half pallet | 80 x 60 | 66 | 0.20 |
The industrial pallet (120 x 120 cm) is widely used in the chemical and beverage industries. Because of its square footprint, only 2 pallets fit across the trailer width, resulting in just 22 units per trailer — a 33% reduction compared to euro pallets. This is why industrial pallets cost significantly more per unit to transport.
The Finnish pallet (120 x 100 cm) is standard in Scandinavia and the paper industry. At 100 cm wide, two fit across the 2.4 m trailer width with 40 cm to spare. That gap cannot be used for a third pallet, giving you 2 per row and 26 pallets in total.
Half pallets (80 x 60 cm, also called display pallets) are used in retail logistics. Four half pallets occupy the same footprint as one euro pallet, so a trailer can hold up to 66 units on a single layer.
Pallet Orientation: Lengthwise or Crosswise?
The orientation of a euro pallet on the trailer floor makes a dramatic difference to how many you can fit. There are two ways to place a 120 x 80 cm pallet:
Crosswise (optimal)
The 80 cm side faces the trailer wall. Three pallets fit across the 2.4 m width (3 x 80 cm = 240 cm). Each row is 120 cm deep. This gives you 11 rows of 3 = 33 pallets. This is the standard arrangement and the one carriers assume when quoting.
Lengthwise (suboptimal)
The 120 cm side faces the trailer wall. Only two pallets fit across the width (2 x 120 cm = 240 cm). Each row is 80 cm deep. This gives you 17 rows of 2 = 34 pallets on paper, but the last row often cannot fit due to door clearance and securing space, so the practical result is around 32 pallets.
When to rotate?
In most cases, the crosswise arrangement is preferred because it is the industry standard and simplifies load planning. However, lengthwise placement can be useful when:
- The cargo overhangs the pallet on the 120 cm side and needs the extra width clearance
- You are mixing pallet sizes and need to fill gaps
- The goods must face a specific direction for unloading with a reach truck
Always confirm pallet orientation with the carrier before loading, especially for groupage shipments where multiple clients share the same trailer.
Weight: The Hidden Limit
Most people focus on space, but weight is often the real constraint. A standard trailer can carry a maximum payload of approximately 24,000 kg (24 tonnes). This limit is set by EU road regulations and includes the weight of the pallets themselves.
Let's do the maths. An average loaded euro pallet in general cargo weighs about 800 kg. If you load the full 33 pallets:
33 pallets x 800 kg = 26,400 kg — this exceeds the 24,000 kg limit by 2,400 kg!
This means that with heavier goods, you cannot fill the trailer by space alone. You must calculate the effective number of pallets based on weight:
Max pallets = 24,000 kg / weight per pallet
Here are some practical examples:
| Weight per Pallet | Max Pallets (by weight) | Max Pallets (by space) | Effective Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 kg | 48 | 33 | 33 (space-limited) |
| 700 kg | 34 | 33 | 33 (space-limited) |
| 800 kg | 30 | 33 | 30 (weight-limited) |
| 1,000 kg | 24 | 33 | 24 (weight-limited) |
| 1,200 kg | 20 | 33 | 20 (weight-limited) |
The crossover point is around 727 kg per pallet (24,000 / 33). Below that weight, space is the limiting factor. Above it, weight takes over. Industries that frequently hit the weight limit include metalworking, construction materials, paper products and beverages.
When requesting transport quotes, always provide both the number of pallets and the total weight. Carriers calculate the price based on whichever dimension — space or weight — uses more of the trailer's capacity.
Calculate Automatically
Counting pallets manually is error-prone, especially when mixing different pallet types or dealing with weight limits. Our free LDM calculator handles all of this automatically. Enter your pallet type, quantity and weight — the tool will show you how many loading metres you need, which vehicle to choose and whether weight or space is your limiting factor.