How to measure a pallet for freight

Reviewed October 25, 2026. Named sources and dates

XPO Measuring Tips confirms inclusion of the pallet in dimensions and weight. Its packaging guide, page 9, measures after packaging and palletizing. Reviewed October 25, 2026.

Record four measurements for each loaded unit

Length

Measure between the furthest outside points along one horizontal direction. Include cartons, wrapping or other parts that project beyond the deck.

Width

Measure the outside span across the other horizontal direction. Do not assume it equals the width printed in a pallet specification.

Height

Measure vertically from the floor to the highest point. Include pallet height, goods and top protection.

Gross weight

Weigh the complete unit, including the pallet and packaging. Do not substitute product net weight or a generic empty-pallet estimate.

Record the units beside every figure. Use separate entries when pallets have different dimensions or weights; group them by quantity only when their measurements match. The freight class calculator supports multiple pallet groups and sums physical volume and weight.

The pallet dimension reference helps identify an empty pallet’s footprint. It cannot supply your loaded height. If you are still arranging cartons, use the pallet calculator, then measure the final assembly.

Worked example: leaving out pallet height

Take a hypothetical shipping unit measuring 48 × 40 × 48 in, weighing 800 lb including its pallet and packaging. The complete unit occupies 53.333… ft³:

48 × 40 × 48 ÷ 1,728 = 53.333… ft³
800 ÷ 53.333… = 15 lb/ft³

If you accidentally leave out 6 inches of pallet height, you enter 42 inches instead of 48. The reported volume falls to 46.666… ft³ and density rises to about 17.143 lb/ft³. In this example both figures fall in class 70 under the public scale. The unchanged class does not make the measurement correct. The 6-inch pallet height is a hypothetical example, not a standard height.

At 49 inches, the same footprint and weight cross into class 85. Apply the band to unrounded density. These are calculated examples using the public density scale in NMFTA’s June 19, 2025 article, reviewed October 25, 2026; classification also depends on the applicable commodity provision.

Keep a measurement record before pickup

Write down the shipment reference, each unit’s dimensions and weight, the number of matching units and the date measured. Photographs showing the packed unit and measurement points can help explain a later discrepancy. Keep product dimensions separate from shipping dimensions.

NMFTA’s current guidance recommends exact dimensions on each bill of lading. For preparation beyond measurement, use the pallet shipping guide. Confirm equipment and receiving conditions with the accessorial checklist.

Physical volume and rated volume can differ

This site calculates the rectangular space occupied by the measurements you enter. A carrier can have additional rating provisions. For example, XPO tariff Item 26, pages 21–22, includes a minimum vertical dimension for specified tall freight. Effective August 17, 2026 and reviewed October 25, 2026, that is a carrier rule the geometric calculator does not apply.

Ask which measurements and provisions apply to your quote. If a bill changes, the reclassification guide explains how to compare the records. More preparation references are in all freight guides.