What Is a Pallet and How Pallet Math Works

A pallet is a flat transport platform used to store and move stacked cases in wholesale operations. In pallet math, ti means cases across a layer and hi means layers stacked upward. Together, they describe the load shape and the total case count on one pallet.

You use pallet math when you plan warehouse space, receiving, freight, and store delivery. It helps you translate a case pack into a pallet load that a dock, trailer, or rack can handle with less guesswork.

The term ti-hi is shorthand, not a formal measurement. It tells you the number of cases in each tier and the number of tiers in the stack, so the full pallet count follows from simple multiplication.

Start with one layer. If a pallet holds a fixed number of cases in a single tier, that first number is the ti value. Then count how many layers you can stack above it. That second number is the hi value. Multiply the two values to get the cases per pallet.

You also need to check the product itself. Case size, weight, and crush risk affect whether the stack is practical. A load that fits on paper may still be poor for shipping if the top cases deform or the pallet exceeds warehouse limits.

Pallet math is most useful when you repeat the same method every time. Measure the case footprint, confirm the pallet footprint, then confirm the safe stack height. The result gives you a clear count for ordering, storage, and freight planning.

Pallet math gives operations teams one shared count to use across sales, receiving, and shipping. When the pallet count is clear, you can talk about inventory in cases per pallet instead of in vague load estimates.

It also helps with freight planning. A trailer can be filled in a more orderly way when the team knows how many cases sit on each pallet and how many pallets are expected for the order. That makes dock planning and route planning easier.

For brands and distributors, pallet math also supports better pricing conversations. When you know the pallet structure, you can estimate labor, cube, and freight more accurately before you commit to a deal.

A simple example is a pallet with one stable layer of cases and a stack of matching layers above it. If every layer is the same, the pallet count is the same method each time. The key point is not the label on the pallet, but the repeatable case count it represents.

Another example is a mixed load where different items share the same pallet. In that case, pallet math still matters, but you count each product separately and then confirm the full load does not exceed safe limits. Mixed pallets take more planning because the stack is not uniform.

If you handle food and beverage, pallet math often connects to case pack planning, reorder quantities, and store delivery schedules. That is why many teams pair pallet math with a case pack standard and a reorder plan. The pallet is the shipping unit; the case is the selling unit.