How many cases of beer are on a pallet?
A 48 × 40 in pallet of beer typically holds about 80–100 cases of 24 × 12 oz cans or 60–72 cases of 12 oz bottles, kept under about 2,200 lb. For kegs, a common layout is 8 half-barrels, 14 quarter-barrels or 20 sixth-barrels per pallet.
Beer pallets are built to a weight target, not a fixed case count. Brewers, distributors and packaging suppliers commonly aim for about 100 cases or no more than about 2,200 lb per 48 × 40 in pallet so the load stays stable and within what forklifts, racks and trailer axles handle.
How many cases of beer are on a pallet?
| Package | Typical per pallet | Units | Weight per case (est.) | Pallet weight (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 oz cans, 24 per case | 80–100 cases | 1,920–2,400 cans | about 20 lb (9 kg) | 1,650–2,050 lb (750–930 kg) |
| 12 oz bottles, 24 per case | 60–72 cases | 1,440–1,728 bottles | about 32–36 lb (15–16 kg) | 1,950–2,650 lb (885–1,200 kg) |
| 1/2 barrel keg (15.5 gal) | 8 kegs | 124 gal | about 160 lb each full | about 1,300 lb (590 kg) |
| 1/4 barrel keg (7.75 gal) | 14 kegs | 108.5 gal | about 87 lb each full | about 1,250 lb (565 kg) |
| 1/6 barrel keg (5.16 gal) | 20 kegs | 103 gal | about 59 lb each full | about 1,220 lb (555 kg) |
Keg counts per 48 × 40 in pallet and the 1,200–1,400 lb full-keg pallet weight are from a pallet supplier's brewer guide. Some breweries fit more half-barrels, for example on double-stacked or larger pallets. Case and keg weights are estimates: beer is about 8.4 lb per gallon; empty steel kegs weigh roughly 30 lb (1/2), 22 lb (1/4) and 16 lb (1/6). Pallet weights include about 40 lb for the pallet. Your distributor's or brewery's pallet specification is authoritative.
What decides the count
- Case footprint and Ti-Hi. A 24-can case is smaller than a 24-bottle case, so more fit per layer. See Ti-Hi.
- Height. Bottle loads are kept lower because glass is heavier and the stack is less stable. A common rule of thumb in brewing forums is no more than about 6 layers of bottle cases.
- Weight. Bottles hit the weight target at fewer cases than cans.
- Pallet size. 48 × 40 in is standard in North America. Some beverage systems use half pallets or other footprints. See 48 × 40 pallet.
- Mixed pallets. Distributor deliveries often mix brands and packages, which lowers the count.
Loading, trucks and floors
A pallet of canned beer is roughly 2,000 lb on 13.3 sq ft of floor, about 150 lb per sq ft. That is fine on a warehouse slab and fine for a walk-in cooler slab, but well above the uniform load residential wood floors are designed for. A pallet of beer may exceed a half-ton pickup's payload; check the door-jamb label. Stretch-wrap full pallets well because cans and bottles shift under braking. See stretch wrapping pallets.
How to calculate it yourself
Measure your case (length, width, height and gross weight) and use the cases per pallet calculator. Set a height limit (for example 60 in for loads that will be double-stacked in a trailer) and a weight cap of about 2,200 lb. Add the pallet weight from the pallet weight guide for the gross.
Pallet deposits and returns
Breweries and distributors often ship on pooled pallets (rented and tracked) or on their own returnable pallets, and kegs carry their own deposits. If you buy by the pallet, ask whether the pallet must be returned or carries a deposit.
For pallet specifications in this sector, see beverage pallets.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pallet of beer weigh?
A full pallet of 100 cases of cans is roughly 2,000–2,100 lb. Brewers commonly keep pallets at or under about 2,200 lb. A pallet of 8 full half-barrel kegs is about 1,200–1,400 lb.
How many cans of beer are on a pallet?
About 1,900–2,400 cans: 80 cases × 24 is 1,920 and 100 cases × 24 is 2,400.
Can kegs be double-stacked on pallets?
Palletized kegs are commonly stacked two pallets high. Check your warehouse and carrier rules and the keg supplier's guidance.
Sources and references
Related
- What fits on a palletHow many cases of soda are on a pallet?A pallet of 12 oz soda cans in 24-can cases typically holds about 72–80 cases (1,728–1,920 cans), roughly 1,500–1,650 lb. Wholesale listings also show about 70 cases of 35-can packs and around 40 cases of 2-liter 8-packs. Bottler pallet specs vary.
- What fits on a palletHow many cases of water are on a pallet?A pallet of 16.9 oz (500 mL) bottled water usually holds 72 to 84 cases of 24 bottles (1,728–2,016 bottles), or about 54 cases of 35-packs. Gallon jugs are commonly 48 cases of 6 (288 gallons). A full pallet weighs roughly 2,100–2,500 lb.
- IndustriesPallets for beverages: water, soft drinks, beer and spiritsA pallet of bottled water commonly weighs 2,100 to 2,500 lb, and canned drinks and beer 1,500 to 2,200 lb. Most North American beverage loads ship on 48 × 40 in pooled or GMA-style pallets, plus 48 × 20 in half pallets for store delivery. Stiff decks, tier sheets and good wrap prevent crushed loads.
- CalculatorsCases per pallet (Ti-Hi)Cases per layer, layers, total cases, load height, gross weight and cube utilization for any case and pallet size, with the layer pattern.
- GuidesHow much does a pallet weigh? Weights by type, material and moistureA standard 48 × 40 wood stringer pallet weighs about 30 to 60 lb (14 to 27 kg). New green hardwood pallets sit at the top of that range and dry ones near the bottom. A EUR pallet weighs about 25 kg (55 lb), pooled 48 × 40 block pallets about 60 to 70 lb, and plastic pallets 14 to 70 lb depending on type.
- GlossaryWhat is ti-hi?Ti-hi describes how cases are stacked on a pallet: the ti is the number of cases in each layer and the hi is the number of layers. Ti times hi gives the cases per pallet; for example, a 10 × 5 ti-hi is 50 cases.
- GuidesHow to stretch wrap a pallet: film, pattern and containment forceAnchor the film to the pallet, not just the load: make three or more turns at the base with the film rolled down over the top deckboards, spiral up with about 50% overlap, finish with two or more turns at the top, and tuck the tail. Set the wrap by containment force, not film thickness or number of turns.
More in Beverages and consumer goods
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Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 591 words.