Rack Capacity Calculator
Calculate the pallet capacity of a racking installation from the number of runs, run length, bay width, pallets per bay, beam levels and storage depth. Use it when the rack layout is known or being designed and you need the position count, the bay count and the realistic operating capacity behind it.
Rack layout
Levels and depth
Total pallet positions
3,960
264 bays × 15 positions per bay
Bays per run
22
Storage levels
5
Positions per bay
15
Operating capacity (85%)
3,366
Selectivity
100%
Total bays
264
How the Rack Capacity Calculator Works
Rack capacity is built up from the bay. The length of a run divided by the centre-to-centre bay width, rounded down, gives bays per run; multiplied by the number of runs it gives total bays. Each bay holds the number of pallets stored side by side, multiplied by the number of storage levels and by the storage depth.
The formula
Positions = floor(run length ÷ bay width) × runs × pallets per bay × (beam levels + floor level) × depth.
Worked example
Twelve runs of 60 m with 2.7 m bays give floor(60 ÷ 2.7) = 22 bays per run, or 264 bays. With three EUR pallets per bay, four beam levels plus the floor level and single-deep storage, each bay holds 15 pallets, giving 3,960 positions and around 3,366 at 85% occupancy.
Depth versus selectivity
Increasing depth multiplies capacity but divides selectivity: double deep doubles positions per bay and halves direct access. Deep lane storage suits few SKUs with many pallets each; a wide SKU range with one or two pallets per SKU almost always belongs in single-deep racking.
This is a capacity estimate, not a structural calculation. Beam and frame load ratings, floor loading, sprinkler design, seismic requirements and aisle widths must be confirmed by the racking supplier and the relevant regulations.
Related Pages
- Storage Capacity Calculator — capacity from floor area instead of rack layout
- Pallet Position Calculator
- Warehouse Space Calculator
- Pallet Calculator — size the loaded pallet that goes into the bay
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you calculate pallet rack capacity?
- Divide the length of each rack run by the centre-to-centre bay width to get bays per run, multiply by the number of runs for total bays, then multiply by pallets per bay, by the number of storage levels and by the storage depth.
- How many pallets fit in one rack bay?
- A standard 2.7 m bay holds three EUR pallets stored 800 mm deep, or two 1200 × 1000 mm pallets stored 1000 mm deep. Multiply that by the number of beam levels plus the floor level to get positions per bay.
- What bay width should I use?
- Bay width is the pallet width multiplied by the number of pallets, plus 75–100 mm clearance between pallets and between pallet and upright. Three EUR pallets at 1200 mm wide typically give a 2.7 m bay centre to centre.
- What is selectivity and why does it matter?
- Selectivity is the share of pallets that can be reached without moving another pallet. Single-deep racking is 100% selective, double-deep is 50%, and drive-in falls further. Denser storage stores more pallets in the same footprint but slows retrieval and complicates FIFO.
- Should I plan the racking at full capacity?
- No. Plan for around 85% occupancy so there is space for receiving peaks, relocations and replenishment. In double-deep and drive-in racking the practical figure is usually lower still because of honeycombing within lanes.
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