How 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.
Bottled water is palletized to a weight the distributor's trucks, forklifts and store floors are set up for, and each bottler sets its own case pattern. That is why two brands of the same 24-pack can differ by a layer.
How many cases of water are on a pallet?
| Pack | Cases per pallet | Units per pallet | Weight per case (est.) | Pallet weight (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.9 oz (500 mL), 24-pack | 84 | 2,016 bottles | about 27 lb (12 kg) | about 2,300 lb (1,045 kg) |
| 16.9 oz, 24-pack | 78 | 1,872 bottles | about 27 lb | about 2,150 lb (975 kg) |
| 16.9 oz, 35-pack | 54 | 1,890 bottles | about 39 lb (18 kg) | about 2,150 lb (975 kg) |
| 16.9 oz, 40-pack | 48 | 1,920 bottles | about 45 lb (20 kg) | about 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) |
| 1 gallon, 6 per case | 48 | 288 gallons | about 51 lb (23 kg) | about 2,500 lb (1,135 kg) |
Counts are from distributor and retailer listings in 2026: 84 cases for several 24-pack brands, 78 for Pure Life 24-packs, 54 for Pure Life 35-packs, 48 for 40-packs and 48 cases of gallon jugs. Some 24-pack pallets are 72 cases. Weights are estimates: 500 mL of water is 1.10 lb, plus about 0.02–0.03 lb of bottle and cap per bottle, plus film, and about 40 lb for the pallet. Your supplier's pallet specification is authoritative.
What decides the count
- Ti-Hi. Cases per layer (Ti) times layers (Hi). For example, 84 cases could be 14 per layer × 6 layers; the bottler's actual pattern depends on its case size, and the number of layers is set by height and weight. See Ti-Hi.
- Weight limit. Water is dense, so pallets reach about 2,000–2,500 lb before they reach a tall height. That weight keeps loads within what warehouse racks, pallet jacks and trailer axles handle.
- Trailer loading. Distributors plan pallets so a trailer reaches its legal weight limit at a sensible number of pallet positions. Water trailers often "weigh out" before they "cube out". See pallets per truckload.
- Case format. Shrink-wrapped trays, corrugated cases and bundles stack differently.
Where the pallet can go
A full pallet puts about 2,300 lb on a 48 × 40 in footprint, about 170 lb per sq ft. That is fine on a warehouse slab or garage slab, but well above what residential wood floors and decks are designed to carry as a uniform load. For home storage, break the pallet down and spread the cases out.
For a pickup, check the payload on the driver-door label. For a trailer, check its GVWR and tongue weight limits. A pallet jack moves a pallet of water easily on smooth concrete, but not up ramps or over thresholds.
How to calculate it yourself
If you are building your own mixed pallets or private-label water pallets, enter the case length, width, height and weight into the cases per pallet calculator. Set a height limit (often around 48–60 in for loads that will be double-stacked or racked) and a weight cap. Then check the gross weight, which you can estimate with the pallet weight guide.
Pallet deposits and returns
Beverage distributors usually ship on pooled pallets (rented block pallets) or on their own pallets that the delivery driver collects. Retail customers buying a full pallet may be charged a deposit or asked to return the pallet. Ask the seller.
For pallet specifications in this sector, see beverage pallets.
Frequently asked questions
How many bottles of water are on a pallet?
About 1,700–2,000 bottles of 16.9 oz water: 84 cases × 24 is 2,016, 78 × 24 is 1,872, and 54 cases × 35 is 1,890.
How much does a pallet of water weigh?
Roughly 2,100–2,500 lb (950–1,130 kg) including the pallet. Water weighs about 8.34 lb per gallon, so the weight tracks the total volume on the pallet.
Can a pickup truck carry a pallet of water?
Many half-ton pickups are rated for less than a full pallet. Check the payload on the door-jamb label; three-quarter-ton and heavier trucks are more likely to be within rating.
Sources and references
Related
- What fits on a palletHow 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 many pallets fit in a truck? 53 ft and 48 ft trailer countsA 53 ft dry van holds 26 standard 48 × 40 in pallets loaded straight (two across, 13 rows) or 30 loaded turned (15 rows), single stacked. Double stacking doubles that if the loads allow. A 48 ft trailer holds 22 to 24 straight or 28 turned. Weight often runs out first, at about 42,000 to 45,000 lb of cargo.
More in Beverages and consumer goods
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Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 607 words.