Ti Hi Meaning: What Is Ti Hi in Shipping & How to Calculate It
Ti Hi is the pallet configuration formula used by retailers, 3PLs, and freight coordinators worldwide. Ti = cartons per layer, Hi = number of layers. Here's what it means, how to calculate it, and why it matters for every shipment going to retail.
⚡ Ti Hi at a glance
What Does Ti Hi Mean?
Ti Hi is a pallet configuration specification used throughout retail supply chains, 3PL warehousing, and LTL freight. It tells everyone handling a pallet exactly how it's built — without counting.
Ti stands for tier — the number of cartons or units in a single horizontal layer on the pallet. Hi stands for high — the number of layers stacked vertically. Multiply the two and you have the total units on a full pallet.
You'll see Ti Hi written as "6 x 4", "Ti: 6 / Hi: 4", or sometimes just "6/4" on pallet labels, purchase orders, and supplier compliance documents. Retailers like Walmart, Target, Costco, and Amazon all require Ti Hi specifications on inbound shipments — they use it to plan receiving, storage, and shelf replenishment.
How to Calculate Ti — Cartons Per Layer
Ti is determined by your carton's footprint versus the pallet's usable surface area. The goal is to fit as many cartons as possible per layer without overhanging the pallet edge.
| Carton size (L×W) | Pallet 48×40 | Ti (best orientation) |
|---|---|---|
| 12" × 10" | 4 across × 4 deep | 16 |
| 16" × 12" | 3 across × 3 deep | 9 |
| 20" × 16" | 2 across × 2 deep | 4 |
| 24" × 20" | 2 across × 2 deep | 4 |
How to Calculate Hi — Number of Layers
Hi is determined by your carton height and the maximum pallet height allowed by the retailer, carrier, or warehouse. The standard GMA pallet board is 5.5 inches high. Most retail compliance specs require a total pallet height (pallet board + all layers) between 48 and 60 inches.
Hi formula
Example: max height 60", pallet board 5.5", carton height 9"
Hi = floor((60 − 5.5) ÷ 9) = floor(54.5 ÷ 9) = floor(6.05) = 6 layers
| Carton height | Max pallet 48" | Max pallet 54" | Max pallet 60" |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6" | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 8" | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| 10" | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 12" | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Pallet board height 5.5" subtracted before calculating. Always confirm with your retailer's compliance guide.
Why Ti Hi Matters for Shipping Costs
Ti Hi directly affects your freight cost per unit. A higher Ti Hi means more units per pallet — fewer pallets shipped, lower LTL pallet charges, and better trailer utilisation. Getting Ti Hi wrong in the other direction — too few units per pallet — inflates your per-unit freight cost unnecessarily.
| Scenario | Ti Hi | Units/pallet | Pallets for 500 units | Freight impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimised | 8 × 5 | 40 | 13 pallets | Lower |
| Under-palletised | 4 × 3 | 12 | 42 pallets | 3× higher |
Ti Hi and Retail Compliance — Walmart, Target, Amazon
Major retailers specify Ti Hi in their vendor compliance guides and require it on pallet labels. The requirement exists so their receiving systems can verify inbound shipments quickly and plan storage without manual counting.
Key compliance points:
- Consistent Ti Hi per item. Once you establish a Ti Hi for a SKU, every pallet of that item must match. Mixed-height or mixed-count pallets are rejected at many retailer DCs.
- Pallet height limits. Walmart's standard is a 60-inch total pallet height. Target allows up to 60 inches. Club stores (Costco, Sam's Club) often allow taller pallets but have tighter weight limits.
- Label placement. Ti Hi labels go on two sides of the pallet — visible from the aisle when stored. The label must show Ti, Hi, total units, item description, and a scannable barcode.
- Pallet weight. Even with a valid Ti Hi, total pallet weight must stay under 2,000 lbs (most carriers) or the retailer's posted limit. Tall Hi counts on heavy product can exceed weight limits even if height is compliant.
How to Use the Free Ti Hi Calculator
The CargoTools Ti Hi Calculator does all of this automatically. Enter your carton dimensions, your pallet size, and the maximum pallet height — it returns the optimal Ti Hi configuration, total units per pallet, and total pallet weight.
It supports 48×40 GMA standard, 48×48, Euro (1200×800mm), and fully custom pallet sizes. The calculation tries both carton orientations and returns the one that maximises units per layer.
Calculate Ti Hi Free
Enter carton dimensions and pallet size — get Ti, Hi, total units per pallet, and pallet weight instantly.
Open Ti Hi Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ti Hi mean in shipping?
Ti Hi is a pallet configuration notation. Ti (tier) = cartons per layer. Hi (high) = number of layers. Ti × Hi = total cartons per full pallet. A Ti Hi of 6×4 means 6 cartons per layer, 4 layers high, 24 cartons total per pallet.
How do you calculate Ti Hi?
Ti = floor(pallet length ÷ carton length) × floor(pallet width ÷ carton width) — try both carton orientations and use the higher result. Hi = floor((max pallet height − 5.5" pallet board) ÷ carton height). Use the free Ti Hi calculator to do this instantly.
What is a Ti Hi label on a pallet?
A Ti Hi label displays the Ti × Hi configuration on the outside of a pallet so warehouse workers and receiving teams can verify the count without counting individual cartons. Retailers including Walmart, Target, and Amazon require Ti Hi labels on all inbound pallets.
What is the difference between Ti and Hi?
Ti is the horizontal count — cartons per layer across the pallet footprint. Hi is the vertical count — layers stacked on top of each other. Ti is determined by carton footprint vs pallet size. Hi is determined by carton height vs maximum allowed pallet height.
What is a good Ti Hi for a pallet?
The highest Ti Hi your carton size and pallet height limit allow — more units per pallet means fewer pallets and lower freight cost per unit. For retail compliance, total pallet height including the 5.5" pallet board must stay under the retailer's maximum, typically 48–60 inches. Pallet weight must stay under 2,000 lbs.