Plastic Crate Dimensions: Full Size Chart and How to Choose

The most common plastic crate base size in Vietnam is 610 x 420 mm, which fits a 1200 x 1000 mm pallet at 6 crates per layer. Heights run from 100 mm up to 510 mm for lidded 220 L bins. Capacity is length x width x height in centimetres divided by 1,000 for litres, with real usable volume about 85-90% of the theoretical figure. This guide gives a full dimension chart and shows how to pick the right size for your goods, racking and handling.

Standard sizing systems in Vietnam

Industrial plastic crates in Vietnam follow two main sizing systems, and choosing the wrong one wastes pallet space.

The first is the 610 x 420 mm base, the most popular standard, taking over 70% of the market and matching the 1200 x 1000 mm pallet. The second is the EU (European Standard) system, with 600 x 400 mm, 400 x 300 mm and 300 x 200 mm bases, common in European FDI factories in Vietnam and matching the EUR 1200 x 800 mm pallet.

For example, placing a 610 x 420 mm crate on a EUR 1200 x 800 mm pallet fits only 4 crates per layer with wasted space on both sides, whereas a 600 x 400 mm EU crate fits 4 crates snugly and uses 100% of the pallet area.

Full plastic crate dimension chart

Vietnam standard line (610 x 420 mm base)

Crates with wheels

EU line (European Standard)

Lidded crates, large capacity

Component trays (open front)

ICD supplies more than 200 plastic crate models covering the full size range, from the smallest component tray to the 220 L lidded bin.

How to calculate plastic crate capacity

Theoretical capacity uses a simple formula: length (cm) x width (cm) x height (cm) = cm3, then divide by 1,000 for litres. For example, a 610 x 420 x 310 mm crate is 61 x 42 x 31 = 79,422 cm3, divided by 1,000 = ~79 litres.

Real usable capacity is always about 10-15% lower than the theoretical figure because of base stiffening ribs, rounded corners and walls 3-5 mm thick. So a 610 x 420 x 310 mm crate actually holds roughly 65-70 litres of goods, matching the ~70 litres in the chart. When sizing how many crates a warehouse needs, use the real usable capacity (85-90% of theoretical) to avoid coming up short.

Choosing crate size by purpose

Picking a plastic crate size means weighing three factors at once: the goods inside, the racking and pallets you already have, and your handling process.

• By goods: small components such as screws, chips or buttons suit A4-A8 trays or shallow 1T-1T5 crates. Medium work-in-progress (parts, garments) suits 1T9-2T5 crates. Bulky goods (fabric rolls, large raw materials) suit 3T1-3T9 crates or lidded bins of 55 L and up.
• By racking and pallet: measure the shelf bay width (commonly 600 mm or 800 mm) and the pallet you use. A 610 x 420 mm crate fits a 1200 x 1000 mm pallet; a 600 x 400 mm EU crate fits a EUR 1200 x 800 mm pallet. Never buy a crate wider than the shelf bay.
• By handling process: if workers lift by hand, the crate plus goods should stay under 15-20 kg, matching small to medium crates. With a trolley or wheeled bin you can go larger. With a forklift and pallet, crate size only needs to optimise the pallet footprint, and weight is not the constraint.

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Frequently asked questions about plastic crate dimensions

1. What do 1T, 2T and 3T mean in plastic crate names?

“T” stands for “tac”, a Vietnamese unit where 1 tac = 100 mm = 10 cm. A 1T crate is 100 mm tall, a 2T5 crate is 250 mm, and a 3T1 crate is 310 mm. This convention originated in the south and is used nationwide. The north often counts by ribs (stiffening grooves): 2 ribs is roughly 1T, 4 ribs roughly 1T9, 6 ribs roughly 3T1, and 8 ribs roughly 3T9.

2. How many 610 x 420 mm crates fit on a 1200 x 1000 mm pallet?

Six crates per layer (2 rows x 3 columns). Depending on crate height and pallet load limits, you typically stack 4-6 layers for 24-36 crates per pallet. That is why the 610 x 420 mm size is the most popular: it uses 100% of the standard Vietnamese pallet area.

3. What is the most common plastic crate base size in Vietnam?

610 x 420 mm, which holds over 70% of the market and matches the 1200 x 1000 mm pallet. The EU base sizes (600 x 400, 400 x 300, 300 x 200 mm) are common in European FDI factories and match the EUR 1200 x 800 mm pallet.

4. How do I calculate the capacity of a plastic crate?

Multiply length x width x height in centimetres for cm3, then divide by 1,000 for litres. Subtract about 10-15% for ribs, rounded corners and wall thickness to get the real usable volume, so plan with 85-90% of the theoretical figure.

5. Can I order a plastic crate in a custom size?

Yes, but a new mould usually needs a minimum order of about 3,000-5,000 units. Mould cost ranges roughly 50-200 million VND by size, and mould production takes 30-60 days. Below 3,000 units, it is more economical to choose from standard in-stock sizes.

6. How much does real usable capacity differ from the stated capacity?

Real capacity is about 10-15% below the theoretical figure because of stiffening ribs, rounded corners and walls 3-5 mm thick. A 610 x 420 x 310 mm crate is ~79 litres in theory but holds roughly 65-70 litres of goods in practice.

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