Standard wood pallet sizes are based on the most common (and popular) pallets in a region.
In the United States, the most common pallet size is the 48×40 pallet, often referred to as the GMA Pallet. Followed by the 42×42 and 48×48 pallet.
The History of The Standard Pallet
The standard 48×40 pallet was first introduced by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, now going by the name of Consumer Brands Association. The purpose of the standard pallet was to allow goods transported in the United States to be handled efficiently and easily from one distributor to another. By having a standard, agreed upon size, groceries and retailers can standardize their shipping and distribution. Having a standard pallet size also decreases the amount of wasted space, while allowing both forklifts and pallet jacks to move with ease. This makes it the preferred pallet for groceries.
What is The Standard Pallet Size?
The standard pallet size in the United States is 48×40 inches. Usually with each deck board being 3 in. wide and 5/16 in. thick. Around 30% of all new wood pallets produced in the United States fall into this category. The 48×40 pallet is also commonly used in general warehousing and storage. Photograph of an actual standard wooden pallet can be seen below.
Other Common Pallet Dimensions
The other two popular standard pallet dimensions in the United States are the:
- 42×42 pallet
- 48×48 pallet
Both of these pallets can be two-way or four-way. This determines the entry type for the forklift of pallet jack. In the picture below, the two way pallet is shown in the top image, while the four-way pallet can be seen below.
Industries That Use Standardized Pallet Sizes
Many industries, just like the grocery industry, use standard pallet sizes to help improve the efficiency of the shipping and distribution of their products.
The 42×42 pallet is most commonly used in the telecommunications industry and the paint and technical coating industries. However, it was originally designed for the US Military to transport and store mortar rounds.
The 48×48 pallet is usually only used in the chemical industry – used to store and transport drums.
The 36×36 pallet size is used in the beverage industry by some of the top pop and soda distributors.
The 48×45 pallet size is commonly used in the automotive industry.
Glass and Can pallets are often referred to side-by-side. However, they do differ in sizes. A Glass pallet measures 54 x 44 inches and is used to transport various glass containers, including bottles and jars. A Can pallet measures 44 x 56 inches and is used to transport all types of cans, including sodas and canned food.
Standard Pallet Sizing Charts
- Top Deck Number: 7
- Bottom Deck Number: 5
- Stringer Number: 3
- Safe Maximum Load: 4592 lbs.
- Average Pallet Weight: 37 lbs.
- Top Deck Number: 7
- Bottom Deck Number: 4
- Stringer Number: 3
- Safe Maximum Load: 4445 lbs.
- Average Pallet Weight: 36 lbs.
- Top Deck Number: 6
- Bottom Deck Number: 3
- Stringer Number: 3
- Safe Maximum Load: 4673 lbs.
- Average Pallet Weight: 37 lbs.
- Top Deck Number: 7
- Bottom Deck Number: 4
- Stringer Number: 3
- Safe Maximum Load: 3696 lbs.
- Average Pallet Weight: 42 lbs.
- Top Deck Number: 7
- Bottom Deck Number: 4
- Stringer Number: 3
- Safe Maximum Load: 4333 lbs.
- Average Pallet Weight: 35 lbs.
- Top Deck Number: 6
- Bottom Deck Number: 3
- Stringer Number: 3
- Safe Maximum Load: 3544 lbs.
- Average Pallet Weight: 29 lbs.
- Top Deck Number: 6
- Bottom Deck Number: 4
- Stringer Number: 3
- Safe Maximum Load: 3544 lbs.
- Average Pallet Weight: 32 lbs.
- Top Deck Number: 6
- Bottom Deck Number: 4
- Stringer Number: 3
- Safe Maximum Load: 6585 lbs.
- Average Pallet Weight: 33 lbs.
- Top Deck Number: 6
- Bottom Deck Number: 3
- Stringer Number: 3
- Safe Maximum Load: 5261 lbs.
- Average Pallet Weight: 31 lbs.
Pallet Standard Weight Capacity and Height.
The standard pallet is about 4 ½ inches tall. With the top and bottom deckboards being ½ inch, and the stringers taking up 3 ½ inches of the height.
The load capacity of the pallet can depend on many different factors such as: block or stringer and number of blocks or stringers. However, the standard 48×40 pallet with 5/8” wood thickness can hold up to 4,600 lbs. This makes it an ideal pallet for grocery or retail.
Important: this article was originally published on June 22, 2020. Article was updated on August 1, 2022.
