Pallet sizes, heights and weights: the quick chart
The standard pallet size in North America is 48 x 40 inches, the GMA pallet. An empty one is usually about 5 to 6 inches tall and weighs roughly 33 to 48 pounds. Below are the other common sizes, what they are used for, and how many fit on a truck.
What is the standard pallet size?
Standard pallet dimensions in the US are 48 inches long by 40 inches wide. This size is often called the GMA pallet, after the grocery manufacturers group that set the spec. The first number is the stringer length and the second is the deck board length. By one industry estimate, the 48x40 makes up about 30% of the wood pallets built each year.
For most warehouses, the typical pallet size is the 48 x 40. Ask what the size of a pallet is in another industry, and the answer changes, as the chart below shows.
What is a pallet, exactly? A flat platform, usually wood, with openings for forklift or pallet jack forks, that lets a stack of goods move and store as one unit.
Common pallet dimensions by industry
These are the pallet sizes you will see most in North America. Length is listed first.
| Size (inches) | Common uses |
|---|---|
| 48 x 40 | Grocery, retail and most general warehousing |
| 42 x 42 | Telecom, paint and coatings |
| 48 x 48 | Drums: four 55-gallon drums fit without overhang |
| 40 x 48 | Military, cement bags and blocks |
| 48 x 42 | Packaged chemicals and beverages |
| 40 x 40 | Dairy |
| 48 x 45 | Automotive |
| 44 x 44 | Chemical drums and bulk bags |
| 36 x 36 | Beverage |
| 48 x 36 | Roofing shingles, paper and beverage |
| 48 x 20 | Half pallets for retail displays |
Uses vary by company. Check what your customer's racking, trucks and receiving expect before you switch sizes.
Standard pallet height and weight
How much does a pallet weigh, and how tall is it? It depends on the build. Standard pallet height dimensions are not fixed the way length and width are. These are typical ranges for an empty pallet.
| Pallet type | Typical height | Typical empty weight |
|---|---|---|
| 48x40 wood stringer (GMA style) | About 5 to 6 in (5.5 in is a common working number) | About 33 to 48 lb |
| 48x40 wood block | Varies by build | About 75 to 80 lb |
| 48x40 plastic | Varies by design | About 20 to 55 lb, nestable at the light end, rackable at the heavy end |
Weights move with the lumber, how dry it is and the build. Heavy-duty wood pallets can run about 6.5 inches tall and 55 to 66 pounds. If you need average pallet dimensions for space planning, use 48 x 40 x 5.5 inches for an empty GMA pallet.
How much a standard pallet holds
A typical 48x40 wood stringer pallet is rated around 2,000 to 2,800 pounds moving on a forklift, and more when it sits still on the floor. Block pallets carry more. Racked loads depend on how the pallet is supported, so check the maker’s rating for racking.
ISO and international pallet sizes
ISO 6780 lists six pallet sizes used around the world. Exporters see these most.
| Millimeters | Inches (approx.) | Where it is common |
|---|---|---|
| 1219 x 1016 | 48 x 40 | North America |
| 1200 x 800 | 47.2 x 31.5 | Europe (the Euro pallet) |
| 1200 x 1000 | 47.2 x 39.4 | Europe and Asia |
| 1140 x 1140 | 44.9 x 44.9 | Australia |
| 1100 x 1100 | 43.3 x 43.3 | Asia |
| 1067 x 1067 | 42 x 42 | North America, Europe and Asia |
Australia's own standard pallet is 1165 x 1165 mm, slightly larger than its ISO size. Solid wood export pallets need ISPM 15 treatment. See heat-treated pallets.
How many pallets fit on a truck?
For a 53-foot dry van, about 100 inches wide inside, single stacked:
| Loading | 48x40 pallets |
|---|---|
| Straight (48-inch side along the trailer) | 26 |
| Turned (40-inch side along the trailer) | 30 |
| Pinwheeled (mixed) | About 28 |
| Empty pallets, stacked | About 500 to 580 in a full truckload |
Turning pallets needs at least 96 inches of inside width. Double stacking doubles the count only if the load is stable and under the weight limit. Try your own numbers in the pallet calculator.
Need 48x40 pallets delivered?
We deliver recycled Grade A and B, new and heat-treated 48x40s, plus custom sizes, in seven Southeast metros. Freight is in the price. See pallets or custom pallets.
Get a pallet quoteCommon questions
What is the size of a standard pallet?
48 x 40 inches, the GMA pallet. It's the default for grocery, retail and most warehouses.
What is the standard pallet height?
About 5 to 6 inches for an empty 48x40 wood stringer pallet, with 5.5 inches a common working number. Heavy-duty builds can reach about 6.5 inches.
How much does a wooden pallet weigh?
A standard 48x40 wood pallet weighs about 33 to 48 pounds empty, depending on the lumber and how dry it is. Block pallets weigh about 75 to 80 pounds.
How big is a pallet in Europe?
The Euro pallet is 1200 x 800 mm, about 47.2 x 31.5 inches.
How many pallets fit in a 53-foot trailer?
Single stacked, 26 standard 48x40 pallets loaded straight or 30 loaded turned.
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