The Palletization Calculator is an advanced, free-to-use tool built specifically for freight forwarders, warehouse managers, logistics planners, and e-commerce merchants. By calculating the exact number of cartons that can fit on standard pallets without exceeding weight and height limitations, it takes the guesswork out of shipment planning and cargo consolidation.
What is Ti-Hi in Logistics?
When palletizing cargo, the logistics industry uses a standard measurement called Ti-Hi (sometimes written as Tie-High).
- Ti (Tie): The number of boxes or cartons that can fit on a single layer (tier) of a pallet.
- Hi (High): The maximum number of layers that can be stacked on the pallet before exceeding the maximum height or weight limits.
Understanding your Ti-Hi helps you maximize space, negotiate better freight rates, and ensure warehouse safety. Our calculator computes this automatically for multiple standard pallet sizes simultaneously.
Supported Pallet Standards
Our calculator instantly tests your cargo against the world’s most common pallet sizes.
1. EPAL 1 (Euro Pallet)
- Dimensions: 120 × 80 cm (47.2 × 31.5 in)
- Max Height: ~180 cm (70.8 in) standard stack limit
- Max Weight: ~1,500 kg (3,300 lbs) safe working load
- Best For: European road and rail transport, standard European racking systems.
2. EPAL 2 (Industrial Pallet)
- Dimensions: 120 × 100 cm (47.2 × 39.3 in)
- Max Height: ~180 cm (70.8 in)
- Max Weight: ~1,250 kg (2,750 lbs)
- Best For: UK and broader international shipping, heavy industrial goods.
3. US GMA Standard Pallet
- Dimensions: 122 × 102 cm (48 × 40 in)
- Max Height: ~180 cm (70.8 in)
- Max Weight: ~2,000 kg (4,600 lbs)
- Best For: North American grocery, retail, and general freight.
Key Features
- Intelligent Bin Packing (Ti-Hi Calculation): The calculator attempts different carton orientations (rotating the boxes 90 degrees) to find the absolute most efficient way to stack your boxes on the pallet base (the “Ti”).
- Hard Safety Constraints: It calculates the layers (“Hi”) based on standard height restrictions, but it will abruptly halt the layer count if your heavy boxes cause the pallet to exceed its maximum Safe Working Load (SWL).
- Total Pallets Needed: If you have a large order (e.g., 500 cartons), the system will tell you exactly how many full pallets and partial pallets you will need to prepare.
- Unit Conversions: Switch effortlessly between Metric (cm/kg) and Imperial (in/lbs). The underlying engine handles all the conversions natively.
- Multi-Item Manifests: Add dozens of different SKU sizes to the same calculation.
- Manifest Export: With a single click, copy your entire load plan (Total Packages, Gross Weight) to the clipboard to paste into an email for your freight forwarder or 3PL.
- Custom Presets: Save your most commonly shipped carton sizes so you don’t have to repeatedly type in the dimensions.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use the Calculator
1. Set Your Units
Start by selecting your preferred units of measurement at the top of the screen. You can choose from centimeters, meters, inches, or feet for dimensions, and kilograms or pounds for weight.
2. Enter Package Details
Click Add Package (or use the default row) and provide the following:
- Description: A name or SKU for your reference (e.g., “Winter Jackets Master Carton”).
- Dimensions (L × W × H): The outer dimensions of a single carton.
- Quantity: The total number of cartons you need to ship.
- Weight: The gross weight of a single carton.
3. Review the Live Estimates
As you type, the Pallet Estimates column will instantly update. It will display a readout for each pallet type showing:
- [X] per pallet: The maximum number of cartons that fit on one pallet.
- Need [Y]: The total number of pallets required to ship your entire quantity.
4. Optimize and Export
If a pallet becomes “Overweight,” try reducing the weight of your cartons or packing fewer items per box. Once your shipment looks correct, click Copy Manifest at the bottom to copy a clean text summary of your total shipment weight and package count.
Privacy and Data Security
The Palletization Calculator runs entirely locally in your web browser. Your package data, SKU names, dimensions, and presets are never uploaded to any external servers, ensuring complete privacy for your supply chain data.