PalletTool

How many 500 × 400 × 250 mm cartons fit on a EUR pallet?

16 cartons of 500 × 400 × 250 mm fit on a EUR pallet (1200 × 800 mm): 4 cartons per layer, 4 layers within a 1200 mm stack height including the pallet.

Per layer

4

Layers

4

Total cartons

16

Stack height

1144 mm

Deck used

83.3%

Best pattern: Grid

Cartons sit lengthwise, long side along the pallet's length. All cartons face the same way in straight rows and columns, like a spreadsheet.

Why this pattern here: 500 and 400 mm divide the 1200 × 800 mm deck cleanly enough that plain rows already fit 4 per layer, so no rotated or interlocked arrangement can beat the simple grid here.

Layer diagram: 4 cartons of 500 × 400 × 250 mm per layer on a EUR pallet, Grid pattern image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.11.1, https://matplotlib.org/
Layer 1–4 · 4 ctn · computed layer diagram, EUR pallet (1200 × 800 mm)

Pattern comparison

PatternCartons per layer
GridBest4
Split-Row Interlock3
PinwheelDoes not fit

A plain grid is the honest winner for the 500 × 400 mm footprint: 4 cartons per layer, against 3 split-row and no feasible pinwheel arrangement. The rows cover 83.3% of the deck footprint, and 4 layers bring the stack to 1144 mm including the 144 mm pallet deck. One caveat: a grid has no interlock of its own, its layers sit in independent columns held by wrap and friction.

Prefer stability? The split-row interlock alternative

The maximum-load layout above leaves 4 of its 4 cartons per layer stacked in unbonded columns, a carton bonded to only one below rides the stack as a free tower held by wrap alone. If stability matters more than count: a split-row interlock fits 3 of these 500 × 400 mm cartons per layer, 1 fewer, and all but 3 cartons per layer rest across at least two cartons below and interlock like brickwork. 12 cartons per pallet at 1144 mm, using 62.5% of the deck.

Stability alternative: 3 cartons of 500 × 400 × 250 mm per layer, Split-Row Interlock pattern image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.11.1, https://matplotlib.org/
Layer 1–4 · 3 ctn · Split-Row Interlock alternative, computed layout

These figures assume the height limit binds at 1200 mm. Weight is not shown here because it depends on the actual carton weight, the interactive calculator also enforces a max payload per pallet.

Plan this carton in the calculator →

Opens the free tool with 500 × 400 × 250 mm on the EUR pallet prefilled.

Same carton on other pallets

Nearby carton sizes on the EUR pallet

Computed by the PalletTool engine, the same deterministic solver behind the free calculator. Published by Eastwest Medico ApS, Copenhagen, a company that loads real pallets for humanitarian shipments. Not AI-written text, every number on this page comes from the computation above.

Last computed: July 25, 2026