What is the standard pallet size in the USA?
Inthe United States, pallets conform to the most popular standard developed by the Grocery Manufacturers’ Association (GMA), which makes up about 30% of all new wood pallets produced in North America, whichare sized to accommodate consumer packaged goods.
In the United States industry, the GMA standard pallet size is 48″ x 40″. They typically weigh 37 lbs and can hold up to 4,600 lbs. The second most common pallet sizes are 42″ x 42″ and 48″ x 48″, respectively.
The information below is simply a guideline for the most common pallets employed today.
What is the standard pallet size in my region?
Do you know that the sizes of the pallets vary across regions in the world? If you live in America, there a lot of chance that the pallet you’ll found will not have the same size as someone living in Europe or Australia, for example.Even if pallet sizes vary considerably between the different countries globally, much progress has been made regarding standardization and reusability. This was necessary as increased global trade necessitated standard pallet dimensions, which are now reflected in the ISO Pallet list.Of the many different standard pallet sizes available, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has approved six pallet dimensions which are now widely used around the globe, you can check the ISO Pallets Dimensions table below, but we also added the different standard pallet sizes & dimensions available in the main geographical regions of the world.
North America Standard Pallet Dimensions?
| Dimensions, inches (W x L) | Dimensions, mm(W x L) | Industries Using |
|---|---|---|
| 48 × 40 | 1219 × 1016 | Grocery as well as many other uses |
| 42 × 42 | 1067 × 1067 | Telecommunications and Paint |
| 48 × 48 | 1219 × 1219 | Drums |
| 40″× 48 | 1016 × 1219 | Military and Cement |
| 48 × 42 | 1219 × 1067 | Chemicals and Beverage |
| 40 × 40 | 1016 × 1016 | Dairy |
| 48 × 45 | 1219 × 1143 | Automotive |
| 44 × 44 | 1118 × 1118 | Drums and Chemicals |
| 36 × 36 | 914 × 914 | Beverage |
| 48 × 36 | 1219 × 914 | Beverage, Shingles, and Packaged Paper |
| 35 × 45.5 | 889 × 1156 | Military 1/2 ISO Container |
| 48 × 20 | 1219 × 508 | Retail |
AustralianStandard Pallet Dimensions?
| Dimensions, inches (W × L) | Dimensions, mm (W x L) | Region Most Used |
|---|---|---|
| 45.90 × 45.90 | 1165 x 1165 | Australia, New Zealand |
European Standard Pallet Dimensions?
| Dimensions, inches (W x L) | Dimensions, mm(W x L) | EURO Pallet type |
|---|---|---|
| 31.50 ×47.24 | 800 ×1,200 | EUR, EUR 1 |
| 47.24 ×39.37 | 1,200×1,000 | EUR 2 |
| 39.37 ×47.24 | 1,000×1,200 | EUR 3 |
| 31.50 ×23.62 | 800 ×600 | EUR 6 |
ISO Pallets Dimensions?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)sanctionssix palletmeasurements, detailed in ISO Standard 6780: Flat pallets forintercontinental materials handling-principaldimensionsand tolerances.
| Dimensions, inches (W × L) | Dimensions, mm (W x L) | Region Most Used |
|---|---|---|
| 48.00 × 40.00 | 1219 x 1016 | North America |
| 39.37 × 47.24 | 1000 x 1200 | Europe, Asia |
| 44.88 × 44.88 | 1140 x 1140 | Australia |
| 42.00 × 42.00 | 1067 x 1067 | North America, Europe, Asia |
| 43.30 × 43.30 | 1100 x 1100 | Asia |
| 31.50 × 47.24 | 800 x 600 | Europe (fits many doorways) |
Another Table with international pallet sizes in millimeters and inches:
| Product name | L x W x H in mm | L x W x H in inches | Major Countries Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timber Block Pallet North American Standard (48 x 40 inches) | 1219 x 1016 x 141 | 48 x 40 x 5.55 | USA, Italy, New Zealand |
| Wooden Pallet | 1200 x 1000 x 162 | 47.24 x 39.37 x 6.38 | Most European countries, Latin America, the United Kingdom, India, New Zealand |
| Wooden & Metal Pallet | 800 x 600 x 163 | 31.50 x 23.62 x 6.42 | Most European countries, United Kingdom, South Africa |
| Wooden Pallet | 800 x 600 x 166 | 31.50 x 23.62 x 6.53 | France |
| Wooden Pallet – 3 Runner | 1200 x 1200 x 154 | 47.24 x 47.24 x 6.06 | India, China |
| Wooden Pallet – New Zealand standard | 1200 x 1000 x 140 | 47.24 x 39.37 x 5.51 | New Zealand |
| Perimeter Wooden Pallet | 1200 x 1000 x 154 | 47.24 x 39.37 x 6.06 | India, China |
| Timber Half Pallet | 1220 x 508 x 128 | 47.24 x 20 x 5.04 | Canada |
| Bearer Pallet | 1200 x 1200 x 150 | 47.24 x 47.24 x 5.90 | Namibia, South Africa |
| Bearer Pallet | 1500 x 1200 x 176 | 59 x 47.24 x 6.13 | Namibia, South Africa |
| Wooden Pallet | 1200 x 800 x 144 | 47.24 x 31.50 x 5.67 | Most European countries, United Kingdom, South Africa, India |
| Wooden Pallet – Australian Standard | 1165 x 1165 x 150 | 45.87 x 45.87 x 5.90 | Australia, New Zealand |
| Pallet Mercosur | 1200 x 1000 x 145 | 47.24 x 39.37 x 5.71 | USA, Argentina |
| Wooden Pallet | 1000 x 600 x 162 | 39.37 x 23.62 x 6.38 | France |
| Plastic Dolly | 600 x 400 x 173 | 23.62 x 15.75 x 6.81 | Austria, Switzerland |
| Plastic Pallet – New Zealand standard | 1219 x 1016 x 144 | 48 x 40 x 5.67 | New Zealand |
| Plastic Display Pallet | 600 x 400 x 145 | 23.62 x 15.75 x 5.71 | Most European countries |
| Plastic Display Pallet | 1200 x 800 x 160 | 47.24 x 31.50 x 6.30 | Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom |
| Blue Shield Plastic Pallet | 1200 x 1000 x 150 | 47.24 x 39.37 x 5.90 | China, Thailand, South Africa |
| Plastic Pallet – 3 Runner | 1200 x 1000 x 150 | 47.24 x 39.37 x 5.90 | China |
| Plastic Pallet | 1165 x 1165 x 150 | 45.87 x 45.87 x 5.90 | Australia |
| Automotive Pallet – US Standard | 1166 x 1242 x 152 | 45.87 x 48.90 x 5.98 | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| Automotive Half Pallet | 100 x 600 x 144 | 3.93 x 23.62 x 5.67 | Most European countries, Brazil, Argentina |
| Automotive Pallet | 1200 x 1000 x 144 | 47.24 x 39.37 x 5.67 | Most European countries, Brazil, Argentina |
CP Pallet Sizes
The CP Pallets scheme was started in the early 90s’ by the German Chemicals Industry Association (VCI). So, the CP pallets are intended for the chemical industry only. They belong to the pallet exchange system, and they can be repaired as well. CP standards describe the wood quality, measurements, marking, and repairing. You can find more information on CP pallets marking in our article on pallet safety.
Let see here the different dimensions of CP Pallets.
More details on the different pallet dimensions
The information on the different pallet sizes shown below is from Greenway, Products & Services, LLC.
48″ x 40″ 4-way pallet:
The4-way pallets allow entry from both sides and both front and rear via notched stringers. This pallet is more versatile than 2-way pallets of the same configuration. Pallet jacks cannot normally access the side entry of these pallets.
48″ x 40″ 2-way pallet:
The 2-way pallets allow entry from the front and rear of the pallet only. This pallet is stronger across the stringers than 4-way pallets of the same configuration. This is a double-faced, flush style, non-reversible pallet.
48″ x 40″ block pallet:
Block style pallet offers the greatest accessibility by forklift trucks and pallet jacks, all four sides being equally accessible.
48″ x 40″ 4-way oak heavy duty pallet:
Our heavy duty pallet is used when the demands on the pallet are great.
48″ x 48″ 3-stringers pallet:
Great for moving 45-gallon barrels four at a time, very strong pallet. It’s another pallet jack friendly pallet.
48″ x 48″ 4-stringers pallet:
Great for moving four 45 gallon barrels at a time but only with a forklift. This pallet is stronger than a 48″ x 48″ 3-stringers pallet.
47″ x 31″ EPAL HT Block pallet:
EPAL block pallet is HT (heat-treated) for international shipments. Great accessibility by both forklift and pallet jack from all four sides. It can be loaded three-wide in a standard trailer for maximum trailer floor usage. Used only once.
42″ x 42″ 4-way Tight Gap Heat Treated pallet:
This pallet allows 4-way entry and is also legal for export. Because it is a TG pallet, it is great for shipping or storing small items. It is also good for storing or shipping tote bags.
44″ x 44″ 4-way Tight Gap Heat Treated pallet:
This pallet is the same as the 42×42″ pallet just slightly larger. Included in the mix is approx. 10% 2-way pallets.
48″ x 40″ 4-way Tight Gap pallet:
Filler strips are added to a standard 48″x40″ 4-way pallet to make it a tight gap pallet. It’s great for shipping or storing smaller items or bags where you don’t want the item or bag to hang between the deck boards.
48″ x 40″ 4-way Heat Treated pallet:
This pallet is the same as our 48″x40″ 4-way pallet but it has a heat treated stamp which makes it legal for export.
Need more information about the different kinds of pallets used nowadays? If you want to learn everything about it, check out our article “What is a Pallet? Everything You Need to Know About It!“
