Size Guide
Every footprint, tolerance, and load rating.
Pallet dimensions look simple until you're matching a rack, a container, or an export spec. This is the reference we use ourselves.
The most common pallet in North America is the 48×40 inch GMA standard. Dozens of other standard footprints exist for specific industries — drums, automotive, retail, and the Euro 1200×800 mm pallet for European freight.
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Quick reference
Common pallet sizes at a glance
Standard footprints we stock or build most often, with metric equivalents and typical uses.
| Size (in) | Metric (mm) | Name / Standard | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48" × 40" | 1219 × 1016 mm | GMA / Standard | Grocery, retail, general dry goods — the North American workhorse |
| 42" × 42" | 1067 × 1067 mm | Square (Telecom / Paint) | Telecommunications, paint, and beverage industries |
| 48" × 48" | 1219 × 1219 mm | Drum Pallet | 55-gallon drums and chemical containers (4 per pallet) |
| 40" × 48" | 1016 × 1219 mm | GMA (rotated) | Same footprint as the GMA, oriented for 40"-deep racking |
| 48" × 45" | 1219 × 1143 mm | Automotive | Auto parts and assembly-line component handling |
| 44" × 44" | 1118 × 1118 mm | Square (Chemical / Drum) | Drums, chemicals, and some petroleum products |
| 36" × 36" | 914 × 914 mm | Half / Beverage | Beverage, dairy, and compact display loads |
| 48" × 42" | 1219 × 1067 mm | Chemical / Building | Chemicals, packaged goods, and building materials |
| 40" × 40" | 1016 × 1016 mm | Square (Dairy) | Dairy and general square-load applications |
| 42" × 42" | 1067 × 1067 mm | EUR6 (half-Euro adj.) | Approx. North American equivalent to the 800 × 600 mm EUR6 display pallet |
| 47.24" × 31.5" | 1200 × 800 mm | EUR / EPAL 1 (Euro) | European exchange pool standard — required for most EU export |
| 47.24" × 39.37" | 1200 × 1000 mm | Industrial / UK (EUR2 / ISO) | Heavy industrial and UK/ISO shipping; near the GMA footprint |
Deep dives
Detailed size & construction guides
Full comparison
Standard footprints, by the numbers.
Dimensions in inches and millimeters, the industries each size serves, entry type, and load class — the reference we keep on the shop wall.
| Size (in) | Metric (mm) | Name / Standard | Typical industries | Entry | Load class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 × 40 | 1219 × 1016 | GMA / grocery standard | Grocery, general freight, retail DC | 4-way (notched) | Heavy |
| 42 × 42 | 1067 × 1067 | Square standard | Telecom, paint, drums | 4-way | Medium–heavy |
| 48 × 48 | 1219 × 1219 | Drum pallet | Chemicals, 55-gal drums | 4-way | Heavy |
| 40 × 48 | 1016 × 1219 | Military / general | Military, automotive, general | 4-way | Heavy |
| 48 × 42 | 1219 × 1067 | Chem / beverage | Chemical, beverage | 4-way | Heavy |
| 40 × 40 | 1016 × 1016 | Dairy / square | Dairy, produce | 4-way | Medium |
| 36 × 36 | 914 × 914 | Beverage / display | Beverage, retail display | 4-way | Light–medium |
| 48 × 36 | 1219 × 914 | Beverage / shingle | Beverage, packaged goods | 4-way | Medium |
| 47.24 × 31.5 | 1200 × 800 | Euro / EPAL (EUR 1) | European freight, export | 4-way | Heavy |
| 45.9 × 45.9 | 1165 × 1165 | AS / Australian | Export to Australia | 4-way | Heavy |
Construction
Stringer vs. block — the real difference.
Two boards or nine blocks. It changes how many sides a forklift can enter and how much abuse the pallet shrugs off.
A stringer palletuses three parallel boards — the stringers — running the length of the pallet to carry the deck. It's economical and by far the most common design in North America. Straight stringers give 2-way entry; notching the stringers adds partial 4-way access for forklifts. A block pallet replaces those stringers with nine solid blocks — four corners, four mid-sides, one center — creating true 4-way entry for both forklifts and pallet jacks. Block pallets are generally sturdier and are the basis for the Euro pallet and most pooled programs; stringer pallets win on cost and availability.
Entry type at a glance
- 2-way: forks from two opposite sides only (solid stringers).
- Partial 4-way: forklift from all four sides (notched stringers), but pallet jacks only from two.
- Full 4-way: forklifts and pallet jacks from all four sides (block construction).
More entry points mean faster, safer handling in tight racks and trailers.
A note on tolerances
Wood is a natural material, so a “48×40” pallet is nominal, not exact. Recycled stock typically carries a tolerance around ±1/4 inch (±6 mm) on overall length and width; new builds run tighter. If your automated line, racking, or shipping container needs a precise footprint, tell us the tolerance up front and we'll build to it rather than pull from general stock.
Questions
Size & construction FAQs
What is the most common pallet size?
The 48×40 inch GMA pallet is the North American standard — roughly 30% of all new wood pallets made in the U.S. It's the footprint most racks, floor loads, trailers, and shipping containers are designed around, which is why it's the default unless a specific industry calls for something else.
What size is a Euro pallet?
The standard Euro pallet (EPAL / EUR 1) is 1200 × 800 mm, or about 47.24 × 31.5 inches. It uses block construction with 4-way entry and a distinctive stamped design, and it's required or expected for much European freight and pallet-pooling.
What's the difference between stringer and block pallets?
Stringer pallets use three parallel boards (stringers) running the length of the pallet to support the deck; they usually allow true 4-way entry only if the stringers are notched. Block pallets use nine solid blocks (corners, mid-sides, center) instead, giving genuine 4-way forklift and pallet-jack access from all four sides. Block pallets are generally sturdier; stringer pallets are common and economical in North America.
What does 4-way vs. 2-way entry mean?
It describes how many sides a forklift or pallet jack can enter. A 2-way pallet accepts forks from two opposite sides only. A 4-way pallet accepts forks from all four sides — either via notched stringers (partial 4-way for forklifts) or block construction (full 4-way for forklifts and pallet jacks). More entry points mean easier handling in tight spaces.
What are pallet dimension tolerances?
Wood is a natural material, so standard pallets carry small dimensional tolerances — typically on the order of ±1/4 inch (about ±6 mm) on overall length and width for recycled stock, tighter for new builds. If your automated line or rack needs a precise footprint, tell us and we'll build to a tighter spec.
How much weight can a pallet hold?
It depends on construction, wood species, and how the load sits. A typical 48×40 GMA hardwood pallet handles roughly 2,500–3,000 lb of dynamic load (being moved) and much more static load (sitting still). Custom skids can be engineered to 8,000+ lb. Always match the pallet's load class to your actual weight and handling method.
Can I order a non-standard size?
Yes. Odd footprints rotate through our recycled stock constantly, and our fabrication shop builds any size new or from reclaimed lumber. Send the dimensions, load, and handling method with your quote request.
Found your size?
Send us the footprint and quantity and we'll quote recycled, new, or custom to match.