Crate Sizes: Standard Dimensions for Milk, Plastic and Wooden Crates
Outside and inside dimensions of the crates people actually buy and reuse, from dairy crates and Euro containers to wooden storage and shipping crates, with what fits in each.
The standard square milk crate measures 13 × 13 × 11 in (33 × 33 × 28 cm) outside and about 12 × 12 × 10¾ in inside, a 16-quart crate sized for four one-gallon jugs. The rectangular 24-quart version is 18¾ × 13 × 11 in. European stacking crates are built on a 600 × 400 mm (23.6 × 15.7 in) footprint so four fit exactly on a Euro pallet.
- Milk crate (16 qt)
- 13 × 13 × 11 in
- Milk crate inside
- 12 × 12 × 10¾ in
- Euro crate base
- 600 × 400 mm
- Bulk bin (gaylord)
- 48 × 40 in base
On this page
Crate size chart
Only a few crate families have true standard sizes: dairy crates in North America and stacking crates built on the European packaging module. Everything else is sold in maker-specific sizes, so the ranges below show what is typical.
| Crate | Size (in) | Size (cm) | Capacity or use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk crate, square (16 qt) | 13 × 13 × 11 | 33 × 33 × 28 | Four 1-gallon jugs; 12 × 12 × 10¾ in inside |
| Milk crate, rectangular (24 qt) | 18¾ × 13 × 11 | 47.6 × 33 × 28 | Six 1-gallon jugs; 18¼ × 12 × 10¾ in inside |
| Euro stacking crate, full | 23.6 × 15.7 × 4.7-16.5 | 60 × 40 × 12-42 | Produce, bakery, parts |
| Euro stacking crate, half | 15.7 × 11.8 × 4.7-16.5 | 40 × 30 × 12-42 | Small parts, retail displays |
| Wine case, 12 × 750 ml (wood) | about 20 × 13 × 7 | about 50 × 33 × 18 | Bottles lying in two layers |
| Pallet collar (Euro) | 47.2 × 31.5 × 7.9 per ring | 120 × 80 × 20 | Stackable wooden walls on a Euro pallet |
| Bulk bin (gaylord) | 48 × 40 × 36 | 122 × 102 × 91 | Loose bulk goods on a GMA pallet footprint |
Milk crate dimensions
Dairy crates are sized around one-gallon milk jugs: the square crate holds them in a 2 × 2 grid (16 quarts, 4 gallons) and the rectangular crate in a 3 × 2 grid (24 quarts, 6 gallons). Because the jugs are the reference, crates from different dairies and makers end up within a fraction of an inch of each other.
Square crates stack in columns, and most have rims that lock one crate onto the next. Retail "storage crates" styled like milk crates are often a little smaller (about 12-13 in square and 9-10 in tall) and use thinner plastic.
What fits in a milk crate
- Letter-size paper (8½ × 11 in) stands upright with room to spare in the 12 in interior.
- Vinyl LPs (12⅜ in jackets) usually do not fit upright in a crate with a 12 in interior; measure before buying for records.
- Hardcover books: standard 9-10 in tall hardcovers stand upright under the 10¾ in inside height, in two rows of 6 in deep books, about 16-24 books in all.
- Bike crates: a 13 × 13 in crate overhangs the platform of most rear racks, so mount it centered with the zip ties or bolts through the floor grid, and check that your heels clear it when pedaling.
Euro stacking crates and the 600 × 400 mm module
European crates, bins and trays are designed on the 600 × 400 mm base module set out in ISO 3394. The module divides a 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet exactly, so mixed crates from different suppliers stack into stable, full pallet loads.
| Footprint (mm) | Inches | Per layer on 1200 × 800 | Per layer on 1200 × 1000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 × 400 | 23.6 × 15.7 | 4 | 5 |
| 400 × 300 | 15.7 × 11.8 | 8 | 10 |
| 300 × 200 | 11.8 × 7.9 | 16 | 20 |
| 800 × 600 | 31.5 × 23.6 | 2 | 2 (with space left) |
Heights are not fixed by the module. Common heights run from about 120 mm (shallow produce trays) to 420 mm (deep storage bins), and automotive small-load carriers come in their own height series. When buying lids or dividers, match the footprint and the maker, since rim profiles differ.
For the pallets themselves, see the pallet size guide.
Wooden crate sizes
Wooden crates fall into three groups, each sized differently.
Decorative and storage crates
Sold for shelving, display and storage, these have no standard size. Most are in the range of 12-18 in long, 9-13 in wide and 6-10 in tall. Stacked on their sides, they make modular shelves; measure the inside depth (usually ½ in less than the outside on each side for ½ in slats) to check that books or records fit.
Wine crates
A wine case is sized from the bottles it holds. A 750 ml Bordeaux bottle is about 7.5 cm (3 in) across and 30 cm (11.8 in) tall, so twelve bottles lying in two layers of six need about 45 × 30 × 15 cm inside before partitions and wall thickness. With ¼-⅜ in boards that becomes roughly 50 × 33 × 18 cm (20 × 13 × 7 in) outside. Six-bottle cases are about half the width. Burgundy and Champagne bottles are wider, so their cases are larger. See wine bottle sizes for bottle dimensions.
Shipping and export crates
Custom wooden crates protect machinery, artwork and furniture in freight. They are built to the item:
- Measure the item at its largest length, width and height.
- Add clearance for cushioning: about 2 in per side for padded goods, more for fragile items on foam.
- Add the wall thickness (often ¾ in plywood plus framing) to get the outside size.
- Size the base for forklifts: crates over about 100 lb need skids with at least 3½ in of fork clearance underneath.
- Use ISPM 15 lumber (stamped HT) for any international shipment, or use plywood and engineered wood, which is exempt.
Bulk bins, pallet collars and crate-sized storage
- Gaylord boxes are corrugated bulk bins built on a 48 × 40 in pallet footprint, most often 36 in tall, for loose parts, produce and recycling.
- Pallet collars are hinged wooden frames, 200 mm tall on a 1200 × 800 mm base in Europe. Stack two to five on a pallet to build a crate as tall as the load, then fold them flat when empty.
- Plastic storage totes are sold by volume (quarts or liters) rather than dimensions. A 16-quart tote is the same volume as a milk crate's capacity rating but usually a lower, longer shape.
Dog crates are sized by length, in 6 in steps from 18 to 54 in, and chosen from the dog's length and sitting height. The full size chart by breed and weight is in the dog crate size guide, and carriers for travel are in the pet carrier size guide.
For boxes rather than crates, see shipping box sizes; for kids' storage, toy box sizes.
Frequently asked questions
What are standard crate sizes?
The most standardized crates are dairy crates (13 × 13 × 11 in for 16 quarts, 18¾ × 13 × 11 in for 24 quarts) and European stacking crates on 600 × 400 mm and 400 × 300 mm footprints. Wooden crates and storage crates are not standardized and are sold in many sizes.
Do vinyl records fit in a milk crate?
Check the inside width first. LP jackets are 12⅜ in (31.4 cm) square, and many current 16-quart crates measure only about 12 in inside, too tight for records standing upright. Record crates and boxes are made with at least 12½-13 in of inside width.
How much weight can a milk crate hold?
Heavy-duty polyethylene dairy crates sold for commercial use are commonly rated for loads up to about 250 lb when stacked. Lighter retail storage crates are much weaker; use the manufacturer's rating, and do not use crates as steps or seats unless they are rated for it.
What size dog crate do I need?
Measure your dog from nose to base of tail and add 2-4 in for the crate length, and measure the height at the top of the head when sitting, adding 2-4 in. Dog crates are sold by length in 6-in steps from 18 to 54 in; see the dog crate size guide for a full chart.
How many Euro crates fit on a pallet?
Four 600 × 400 mm crates per layer on a 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet, or eight 400 × 300 mm crates. On a 1200 × 1000 mm pallet, five 600 × 400 crates fit per layer with an interlocking pattern.