Truck load calculator: cartons and pallets per truck
This truck load calculator shows how many cartons or pallets fit in a truck body, by space and by payload. Pick a body size (Indian 14, 17, 19, 22, 24 and 32 ft trucks, a US 26 ft box truck, or a 48 or 53 ft trailer), enter your carton or loaded pallet size and weight, and it returns the number that fits, the layers, how much of the body and payload you use, and how many trucks a shipment needs.
A to-scale top view shows how the floor is filled, with cartons turned where that fits more. Body sizes are typical editable values, and you can switch to a custom body. Everything runs in your browser.
How to use the Truck Load Calculator
- Pick the truck or trailer, or choose Custom and type the internal length, width, height and legal payload.
- Choose Cartons or Pallets and enter the size and weight of one unit. Tick “This side up” if cartons must stay upright.
- Optionally enter the total units to ship to see the number of trucks.
- Check the result, the floor plan and whether space or payload is the limit.
Truck Load Calculator features
Indian and US bodies
Presets for 14–32 ft Indian trucks, a 26 ft box truck and 48 ft and 53 ft trailers, all editable.
Cartons or pallets
Packs loose cartons by layers, or whole pallets on the floor with single or double stacking.
Space and weight together
The count is the smaller of what fits and what the payload allows, with the limiting factor named.
Floor plan
A to-scale top view of one layer, with turned units in a second colour.
How the count is worked out
For cartons the tool tries each side as the vertical one and packs the floor in the best grid or two-block layout. Layers = body height ÷ carton height, rounded down. Total by space = cartons per layer × layers. Total by weight = payload ÷ carton weight, rounded down. The answer is the smaller of the two. For example, 60 × 40 × 40 cm cartons in a 580 × 213 × 213 cm body make 48 per layer and five layers, so 240 by space; a 9,000 kg payload at 15 kg per carton would allow 600, so space is the limit here.
For pallets the floor layout is found the same way, and a second tier is allowed only if two loaded pallets fit under the roof and your pallets can be stacked. A 53 ft trailer with 48 × 40 in pallets typically takes about 26 to 30 pallets on the floor, depending on the pattern; this tool’s layout finds 30.
| Body (typical) | Inside L × W × H | Typical payload |
|---|---|---|
| 14 ft truck | 427 × 183 × 183 cm | 4,000 kg |
| 19 ft truck | 580 × 213 × 213 cm | 9,000 kg |
| 24 ft truck | 732 × 244 × 244 cm | 16,000 kg |
| 32 ft multi-axle | 975 × 244 × 244 cm | 18,000 kg |
| 26 ft box truck (US) | 792 × 244 × 244 cm | 4,500 kg |
| 53 ft trailer (US) | 1,600 × 254 × 279 cm | 19,500 kg |
Practical notes
These sizes are planning figures, not specifications: Indian bodies are sold by nominal length, and the legal payload depends on the vehicle’s registration, axle configuration and the notified axle norms. For US trailers, the payload is also limited by the 80,000 lb gross limit and tractor weight. Check axle loads with the axle weight calculator and pricing with the road freight cost calculator.
Compare with sea freight in the container loading calculator, or work out a single pallet with the pallet calculator. Chargeable weight rules are in volumetric weight.
Limits
- One carton or pallet size per calculation. For mixed loads, calculate each product separately and add the volumes.
- Layers are all the same pattern. Interlocking, load bars, door clearance, wheel arches and tapering bodies are not modelled.
- Carriers decide the legal load. Weight distribution between axles is not checked here.
Truck Load Calculator FAQ
How many boxes fit in a truck?
It depends on the body size, the box size and the payload. Enter them above: the tool gives the number by space and by weight and shows which one limits.
What are the sizes of Indian trucks?
Bodies are sold by length: 14, 17, 19, 22, 24 and 32 ft are common. Internal width and height are about 6 to 8 ft; the presets are typical values you can edit.
How many pallets fit in a 53 ft trailer?
About 26 to 30 standard 48 × 40 in pallets on the floor, depending on the loading pattern; the tool computes the count from the floor size you enter.
Does the tool check axle weight?
No. A load can be within payload but unbalanced. Use the axle weight calculator for that.
Can I mix carton sizes?
Not in one run. Calculate each size separately, or use dedicated load-planning software.
Why is the count lower than volume divided by carton volume?
Cartons must fit in whole units, so gaps at the edges and unused height reduce the count below the theoretical volume ceiling.