Wholesale guides
How to Calculate Cases per Pallet and Pallet Cost
Use ti-hi calculation to estimate case counts, check pallet space, and turn freight into a usable landed pallet cost.
When pallet math matters
You use pallet math when you need to know how many cases fit on one layer, how many layers fit on a pallet, and what one pallet costs after freight and handling. This matters for warehouse planning, quote building, store delivery, and truckload checks. The goal is not a perfect formula. It is a repeatable one that your team can use the same way every time.
Cases per pallet starts with the case footprint, the pallet footprint, and the case height. Ti-hi calculation is the shorthand many operators use for that work. Ti is the count of cases on a tier, or layer. Hi is the number of tiers stacked on the pallet. Once you know both, you can estimate total cases per pallet and compare that figure with your storage and shipping limits.
Pallet cost is usually a unit cost problem. You take the product cost for the cases on the pallet, then add freight, fuel, accessorials, warehouse labor, packaging, and any other charge you want to absorb or pass through. If you sell wholesale, this helps you quote with fewer surprises. It also helps you decide whether a case pack needs adjustment before the product moves through the dock.
How to do the calculation
Measure the case and pallet
Start with accurate measurements. Record the case length, case width, and case height, then record the pallet length and pallet width. If the pallet has a standard footprint in your operation, use that same footprint every time. Keep the units the same across the whole calculation so you do not mix inches, centimeters, or other dimensions in one worksheet.
Calculate cases per tier
Divide the pallet length by the case length, then divide the pallet width by the case width. Use the orientation that leaves no wasted space and fits your packing rules. Multiply the two results to get the number of cases on one tier. If the case can rotate safely, check both directions and keep the orientation that produces a valid fit for your warehouse process.
Calculate the number of tiers
Divide the usable stack height by the case height. Subtract any allowance for pallet height, top board clearance, or load protection before you divide. If your team uses a stretch-wrap cap or a warehouse rule for maximum stack height, apply that rule first. The result is the number of tiers you can place on the pallet without creating an unstable load.
Multiply ti and hi
Multiply cases per tier by tiers per pallet. That gives you total cases per pallet. For example, if one layer holds 12 cases and you can stack 6 layers, the pallet holds 72 cases. Write the formula down in the same format your team will reuse. A standard line on the worksheet helps buyers, warehouse staff, and sales staff read the same number.
Convert case count into pallet cost
Add the cost of the cases on the pallet, then add freight and handling that apply to that pallet move. If you need a landed cost, include inbound freight, delivery fees, and any accessorials tied to that load. Divide the total pallet cost by the number of cases if you want cost per case. Divide by units if you need cost per sellable unit.
Check the result against real operations
Test the math against the warehouse floor. A formula can be correct and still fail if the carton crushes, the pallet shifts, or the pick path is not practical. Confirm that the load can be wrapped, labeled, stored, and shipped the way your team works. If the result does not match the dock, adjust the case pack or stack rule before you publish the number.
Quick reference for your worksheet
| Field | What to enter | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Case length | Measured exterior length of one case | Used in the ti calculation |
| Case width | Measured exterior width of one case | Used in the ti calculation |
| Case height | Measured exterior height of one case | Used in the hi calculation |
| Pallet length | Usable pallet length | Sets one side of the layer fit |
| Pallet width | Usable pallet width | Sets the other side of the layer fit |
| Usable stack height | Height available for cases after allowances | Sets the hi result |
| Freight and handling | Charges tied to that pallet move | Used in pallet cost |
| Case cost | Product cost for the cases on the pallet | Used in pallet cost |
Questions operators ask
What does ti-hi mean in pallet math?
Ti-hi is a warehouse shorthand for the number of cases on one layer and the number of layers on the pallet. Ti is the layer count. Hi is the stack count. You multiply the two numbers to estimate total cases per pallet.
Do I use inside or outside case dimensions?
Use the measurement method your warehouse follows every time. Most teams use exterior dimensions because the carton takes that space on the pallet. The key is consistency. If one department uses a different method, your pallet count will drift from the dock.
How do I get pallet cost from cases per pallet?
Add the product cost for all cases on the pallet, then add the freight and handling charges tied to that pallet move. That gives you a pallet cost. If you want a unit view, divide that total by the case count or by the sellable units.
What if the formula says a pallet fits but the load feels unsafe?
Use the warehouse rule, not the paper result. If the carton crushes, shifts, or exceeds your stack limit, reduce the stack height or change the pack. The calculation is a planning tool. The dock test is the final check.
Where does this fit in a wholesale workflow?
It belongs in case pack setup, warehouse planning, freight quoting, and buyer-facing pricing. Once you know cases per pallet and pallet cost, you can build better quotes, review margins, and choose a pack size that works in storage and shipping.
Use the math in your own workflow
Use the same worksheet fields across buying, warehouse, and sales.
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Last reviewed 2026-09-27.