What this calculator helps you check before the load builds
Most shippers find out how their freight stacks on a pallet after the load is already built — sometimes after the carrier picks it up. Height overages, split skids, and poor layer density are already baked in at that point. Running the numbers first takes less than a minute and changes the decisions you can still make.
How many pieces fit on a pallet?
Pieces per layer equals floor(pallet length ÷ piece length) × floor(pallet width ÷ piece width). The calculator tests both the original piece orientation and the 90° rotation, then uses whichever fits more pieces in the first layer. For shipments with more than one piece type, each gets its own layer group — taller pieces start at the bottom, which is the standard stacking order for stability and less-than-truckload carrier inspection.
How many skids does a shipment need?
Layer count for each piece type is ceiling(quantity ÷ pieces per layer). The tool stacks all piece types, returns a total loaded height, and calculates how many skids the full order requires. If you set a height limit — a carrier dock restriction, a trailer height threshold, or an internal warehouse rule — it distributes the cargo across as many skids as needed to stay within that limit.
Why loaded height matters before you tender
Loaded height, skid count, and piece density all affect freight class and accessorial exposure before the shipment tenders. If a skid exceeds the carrier's height threshold, the invoice can change after pick-up: overmax charges, re-palletizing fees, or a freight class adjustment can all appear after the fact. The full mechanics — how density, billed weight, and service rules interact — are covered in Courier vs. LTL: How to Choose the Right Mode and Avoid Invoice Surprises.