WMS, Warehouse Labor & Fulfillment worked example

Pallet Storage Cost at 99% average slot occupancy: a worked example

What does the result look like when average slot occupancy reaches 99%? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. A warehouse manager uses it to compare in-house racking cost against a public-warehouse storage quote.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Pallet positions billed (pallet-months): 800 pallet-months (unchanged)
  • Storage rate per pallet position: 18 $/pallet-month (unchanged)
  • Average slot occupancy: 99 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 90)
  • Inbound and handling charge: 1,200 $ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Total storage = pallet-months x rate per position x occupancy % + handling charge) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 15,456 $ for total pallet storage cost, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 19.32 $ / piece for pallet storage cost per unit.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 14,256 $ for variable pallet storage cost.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1,200 $ for fixed pallet storage cost adder.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where average slot occupancy sits at 90% and the headline result is 14,160 $, this scenario comes in 9.15% above the baseline at 15,456 $.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when average slot occupancy is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. It assumes a flat rate per position; tiered or seasonal pricing, minimum-charge floors, and accessorial fees aren't captured and must be added separately.

Results at a glance

  • Total pallet storage cost: 15,456 $ (headline result)
  • Pallet storage cost per unit: 19.32 $ / piece
  • Variable pallet storage cost: 14,256 $
  • Fixed pallet storage cost adder: 1,200 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Pallet Storage Cost calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.