How many 6 inch concrete blocks on a pallet

How many concrete blocks come on a pallet will fluctuate depending on the size of the block. The smaller the cinder block the more they can fit on a pallet. However since they can fit more small blocks on a pallet than large blocks, a pallet filled with smaller blocks can sometimes weighs more. Concrete blocks come in a variety of sizes, But there are two main sizes that builders use regularly. The 8″ x 8″ x 16″ block which is called a standard block. And the smaller 6″ x 8″ x 16″ which builders simply call the 6 inch block.

The standard 8″ x 8″ x 16″ block weighs 34 lb. and fits either 72 or 90 blocks per pallet with a total weight of 2448 lb. or 3060 lb. The smaller 6″ x 8″ x 16″ block weighs 28 lb. and fits 96 blocks per pallet with a total weight of 2688 lb. You also have to add the weight of the pallet which is 30 lb. – 50 lb. on average and packaging.

Exact prices will depend on where you buy the blocks, when you buy them and how large the total order is. Most masonry supply houses will give you a discount for large bulk orders.

When concrete blocks are ordered in bulk they’re delivered on a pallet. This makes them much easier to transport using a fork lift. Block manufacturers stack the blocks on a pallet and then wrap it with plastic or straps to keep the blocks stable.

Concrete Blocks Per Pallet

A standard 8 inch block comes stacked on a pallet in two side by side rows stacked 6 blocks high and 6 across. This equals 72 blocks. The pallet dimensions are approximately48″ long x 36″ wide x 48″ tall.

When 3 rows of 8 inch standard block are stacked next to each other 6 rows across x 5 rows high, you get 90 blocks instead of 72. The pallet dimensions are about 48″ wide x 48″ long x 40″ tall.

A 6 inch block pallet is typically stacked flat on their sides, 3 rows long x 4 rows wide x blocks high. This equals 96 blocks. The pallet dimensions are roughly 48″ long x 32″ wide x 48″ tall.

Pallets of block can hold more or less block depending on what you order. For example, if you order 120 6″ block , most dealers will stack the extra 24 blocks on a full pallet of 96 rather than send two pallets.

Most pallets are 40″ wide x 48″ long which is why blocks are typically stacked longer than they are wide. When 8″ standard blocks are stacked 90 on a pallet, they require a larger than usual pallet. For this reason 72 is the more common size.

How Much Does A Pallet Of Blocks Weigh

Here’s another look at that chart from above which shows the amount a typical pallet of 8″ x 8″ x 16″ standard blocks and 6″ x 8″ x 16″ 6 inch blocks weigh.

96 and 72 block pallets can be purchased at Home Depot and Lowes. They generally use the 40″ x 48″ pallet which is a little small for 90 blocks. However, if you buy your blocks from a masonry supply house they may use the 48″ x 48″ pallet which can safely hold 90 blocks.

The average size pallet at Home Depot or Lowes weighs around 30 lb. But larger 48″ x 48″ pallets can weigh as much as 50 lb.

Packaging usually doesn’t add much weight. Most block stacks are wrapped with roll plastic, straps or both. This may add a pound or two to the total weight.

Typically, blocks are stacked no higher than 48″ so the pallet size limits how many blocks they can stack on the pallet using that height as a limiter.

2000 lbs. equals 1 ton. So the typical pallet of concrete blocks weighs around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 ton. That’s too much weight for the typical pickup or HD truck bed to carry. If you plan on picking up a pallet of blocks by yourself, I recommend using a heavy duty trailer. Putting that much weight in a truck bed would be dangerous and could possibly damage the truck suspension.

Buying A Pallet Of Blocks

When concrete blocks are stacked on a pallet from the factory, they come in standard sizes and are sold per pallet. However, when you buy block from a dealer they’ll typically break down the pallet for you. For example, if you buy 80 x 8 inch blocks, they’ll either reduce a 90 block pallet or add to a 72 block pallet.

When you buy block from a store like Home Depot or Lowes, people will pull block from the pallets and buy them individually. Make sure you count the blocks on the pallet if you’re buying in bulk off the floor.

The best way to buy pallets of block is through a masonry dealer. They’ll usually give a better price if you buy in bulk and will deliver the blocks right to the jobsite. My local dealer will not only deliver them to the site, but will drop them right where I want them.

Getting the blocks delivered and stacked where you need them is a huge plus when I’m building a foundation. It saves me the time of moving the blocks around the site myself which can take a day on large jobs. Some homes require thousands of blocks so you don;t want to be moving them around much once they’re dropped.

If you’re buying bulk cinder blocks, make sure you get a pallet price. Don’t buy them by the individual per block price. My local dealer gives me 15% off for large orders which can save a lot on a typical foundation.

I recommend always buying concrete blocks by the pallet. If I have left over I stack them in the garage or outside. Eventually I’ll need them, they don;t go bad and it saves money vs. buying them individually.

Always buy slightly more concrete blocks than you need. I typically add 5%. This accounts for broken blocks or small pieces you may need here and there.

Does Block Size Matter When Ordering?

The amount of cinder blocks that come on a pallet is affected by a few things.

1. The size of the pallet. A standard size pallet is 48″ x 40″ however they make a 48″ x 48″. If your dealer uses the bigger pallet you can stack more blocks on top.
2. Height. Generally the maximum height you want to stack a pallet of blocks is 48″ off the pallet. A pellet is about 4 inches thick so that’s a total of around 52″. Anything higher than that would start to get dangerous so make sure to strap it all down tightly.
3. Block Size: The size of the cinder blocks makes a difference in determining how many you can stack on a pallet.

The smaller the block the more you can fit on a pallet. That’s fairly obvious. However small blocks and large blocks weigh about the same per inch. So in terms of weight, if you’re buying roughly the same volume of block, it doesn’t matter what size the blocks are.

If you’re picking a pallet of blocks up in your pickup bed make sure to count the blocks and figure out how much the total pallet weights. In some cases a pallet filled with small blocks can actually weigh more than a pallet f larger blocks because they may stack them a little higher.

How To Determine How Many Pallets Of Block You Need

Determining how many pallets of concrete block you need for a project is very important. If you have too many blocks left over you’ll need somewhere to store them. Order too few blocks and you won’t be able to finish the job.

Figuring out how many blocks you need is fairly simple math. Concrete blocks are usually stacked to create a wall. Each block creates a certain amount of square footage. For example, an 8″ x 8″ x 16″ standard size block has an 8″ x 16″ face. Multiply 8″ x 16″ and you get 128 square inches.

Lets say you’re building an 8′ high x 10′ long foundation wall. That’s 96″ x 120″ which equals 11,500 square inches.

Now divide 11,500 square inches by a 128 square inch block and you get 90 blocks. That’s roughly one full pallet at some suppliers.

Figuring out how many blocks you need is all about the face of the block. Each block creates a small portion of a finished wall.Here’s another way to calculate the number of blocks you need.

In the same 8′ high x 10′ long wall example, divide 10′ x the length of the standard block which is 16″. A 10′ wall is 120″, divided by 16″ equals 7.5 blocks.

Now calculate the height. 8′ high equals 96″ divided by an 8″ high block equals 12 course of block. 12 Courses high by 7.5 blocks per course equals 90 blocks.

Both ways of figuring out how many blocks you need work the same, it’s just a different way of getting to the number. I prefer using the first method but it involves more math so some masons like the second way better.

Remember to always buy more blocks than you need because they brake easy. I usually add about 5% to every job.

What Does A Pallet Of Concrete Block Cost?

This table will give you a general idea of what a pallet of concrete block costs at the time I wrote this post which is April, 2022. Expect prices to change over time. It also matters where and when you buy the blocks and how many you buy at a time. Shop around because someone will usually have pallets on sale.

Keep in mind this math is based on the per block price. But I have never bought an entire pallet for the per block price. Generally I get a 10% – 15% discount on bulk block orders.

You’ll also have to pay for shipping unless you pick the blocks up yourself. And that costs money too. I recommend getting the blocks delivered and set where you need them. This will cut down on labor once you start working because you won;t have to move the blocks around. I usually pay around $150 total for the delivery from my local supplier.

Also expect to pay sales tax. Here in New Jersey our sales tax is 7% but there are designated areas where sales tax is only 3 1/2%. This can save a lot when your order thousands of dollars worth of material. However the development zone is usually far away from my jobsites so I rarely get to use the tax discount.

How Many Concrete Blocks Come On A Pallet At Home Depot?

72 8″ x 8″ x 16″ standard size concrete blocks come on a pallet at Home Depot. The weight of each block is around 34 pounds x 72 means the pallet weighs 2,448 lb. plus the weight of the pallet. A typical pallet at Home Depot weighs around 30 lb. so that makes around 2,478 lb.

Another way to look at how much a pallet of standard concrete blocks at Home Depot weighs is around 1 1/4 ton. That’s more weight than a standard size pickup and most HD trucks can hold in the bed. If you plan on picking up a pallet of cinder blocks yourself I recommend using a heavy duty trailer and towing them.

Home Depot typically uses the standard size 40″ x 48″ pallet. So if you want more blocks on the pallet you’ll have to stack them higher because there won’t be much room on the sides. I recommend staying around 48″. If you stack blocks much higher they start to get dangerous.

How Many Concrete Blocks Come On A Pallet At Lowes?

72 8″ x 8″ x 16″ standard size concrete blocks come on a pallet at Lowes. The weight of each block is around 34 pounds x 72 means the pallet weighs 2,448 lb. plus the weight of the pallet. A typical pallet at Lowes weighs around 30 lb. so that makes around 2,478 lb.

Another way to look at how much a pallet of standard concrete blocks at Lowes weighs is around 1 1/4 ton. That’s more weight than a standard size pickup and most HD trucks can hold in the bed. If you plan on picking up a pallet of cinder blocks yourself I recommend using a heavy duty trailer and towing them.

Lowes typically uses the standard size 40″ x 48″ pallet. So if you want more blocks on the pallet you’ll have to stack them higher because there won’t be much room on the sides. I recommend staying around 48″. If you stack blocks much higher they start to get dangerous.

Summary: How Many Concrete Blocks Come On A Pallet?

How many concrete blocks come on a pallet will fluctuate depending on the size of the block. The smaller the cinder block the more they can fit on a pallet. However since they can fit more small blocks on a pallet than large blocks, a pallet filled with smaller blocks can sometimes weighs more. Concrete blocks come in a variety of sizes, But there are two main sizes that builders use regularly. The 8″ x 8″ x 16″ block which is called a standard block. And the smaller 6″ x 8″ x 16″ which builders simply call the 6 inch block.

The standard 8″ x 8″ x 16″ block weighs 34 lb. and fits either 72 or 90 blocks per pallet with a total weight of 2448 lb. or 3060 lb. The smaller 6″ x 8″ x 16″ block weighs 28 lb. and fits 96 blocks per pallet with a total weight of 2688 lb. You also have to add the weight of the pallet which is 30 lb. – 50 lb. on average and packaging.

Exact prices will depend on where you buy the blocks, when you buy them and how large the total order is. Most masonry supply houses will give you a discount for large bulk orders.

When concrete blocks are ordered in bulk they’re delivered on a pallet. This makes them much easier to transport using a fork lift. Block manufacturers stack the blocks on a pallet and then wrap it with plastic or straps to keep the blocks stable.

If you have any questions or comments about concrete, email any time.