Standard North American Pallet Sizes
A comprehensive reference to every standard pallet size used in the United States and Canada. Each listing includes complete specifications: dimensions, weight capacities (static, dynamic, and racking), board counts, typical weight, and industry applications.
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We stock all standard North American sizes. Request a quote for any size, any quantity.
Complete Specifications
Detailed Size Profiles
Every standard pallet size with full technical specifications. Click any size for detailed dimensions, capacity ratings, and industry-specific guidance.
The most widely used pallet in North America, standardized by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). This is the default pallet for the US supply chain and is accepted by virtually every warehouse, retailer, and carrier.
Static Load
2,500 lbs
Dynamic Load
2,800 lbs
Racking Load
2,200 lbs
| Deck Boards | 7 top / 5 bottom |
| Stringers / Blocks | 3 stringers or 3-stringer block |
| Typical Weight | 33 - 48 lbs |
| Board Thickness | 5/16" to 3/4" |
| Industries | Grocery, Retail, General Warehouse, Consumer Goods, E-Commerce |
| Truck Fit (53' trailer) | 26 per 53’ trailer (double pinwheel), 20 straight-loaded |
Square pallet widely used in the telecommunications and paint industries. Its square shape makes it ideal for products that need equal support in all directions, like drums and paint cans.
Static Load
2,500 lbs
Dynamic Load
2,200 lbs
Racking Load
1,800 lbs
| Deck Boards | 5-7 top / 3-5 bottom |
| Stringers / Blocks | 3 stringers |
| Typical Weight | 35 - 45 lbs |
| Board Thickness | 5/16" to 5/8" |
| Industries | Telecom, Paint, Coatings, Hardware, Flooring |
| Truck Fit (53' trailer) | 20-24 per 53’ trailer |
Large square pallet designed primarily for 55-gallon drums and barrels. The extra surface area provides full support for round containers and prevents overhang on heavy loads.
Static Load
3,500 lbs
Dynamic Load
2,800 lbs
Racking Load
2,000 lbs
| Deck Boards | 7-9 top / 5-7 bottom |
| Stringers / Blocks | 3 stringers or block design |
| Typical Weight | 40 - 55 lbs |
| Board Thickness | 5/8" to 3/4" |
| Industries | Drums & Barrels, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Bulk Liquids, Agriculture |
| Truck Fit (53' trailer) | 18-20 per 53’ trailer |
Common in the chemical and beverage industries where the slightly wider profile accommodates standard packaging configurations for bottles, cans, and chemical containers.
Static Load
2,500 lbs
Dynamic Load
2,500 lbs
Racking Load
2,000 lbs
| Deck Boards | 7 top / 5 bottom |
| Stringers / Blocks | 3 stringers |
| Typical Weight | 36 - 48 lbs |
| Board Thickness | 5/16" to 5/8" |
| Industries | Chemicals, Beverages, Bottling, Consumer Products |
| Truck Fit (53' trailer) | 20-22 per 53’ trailer |
Square pallet standardized for the dairy industry. The compact size is optimized for dairy cases and produce boxes, allowing efficient cold-storage utilization.
Static Load
2,500 lbs
Dynamic Load
2,000 lbs
Racking Load
1,500 lbs
| Deck Boards | 5-7 top / 3-5 bottom |
| Stringers / Blocks | 3 stringers |
| Typical Weight | 30 - 40 lbs |
| Board Thickness | 5/16" to 5/8" |
| Industries | Dairy, Produce, Cold Storage, Fresh Foods |
| Truck Fit (53' trailer) | 24-26 per 53’ trailer |
Half the depth of a standard GMA pallet, designed specifically for retail floor displays. These pallets fit into store aisles and can be positioned directly on the sales floor as a merchandising unit.
Static Load
1,500 lbs
Dynamic Load
1,200 lbs
Racking Load
800 lbs
| Deck Boards | 7 top / 3-5 bottom |
| Stringers / Blocks | 3 stringers |
| Typical Weight | 18 - 28 lbs |
| Board Thickness | 5/16" to 1/2" |
| Industries | Retail Displays, Point-of-Sale, Promotions, Club Stores |
| Truck Fit (53' trailer) | 40-52 per 53’ trailer (can double stack with standard pallets) |
Compact square pallet commonly used for beverages and smaller loads. Its size is well-suited for hand-stacking operations and lighter-weight products.
Static Load
2,000 lbs
Dynamic Load
1,600 lbs
Racking Load
1,200 lbs
| Deck Boards | 5 top / 3 bottom |
| Stringers / Blocks | 3 stringers |
| Typical Weight | 22 - 32 lbs |
| Board Thickness | 5/16" to 5/8" |
| Industries | Beverages, Small Appliances, Specialty Retail |
| Truck Fit (53' trailer) | 30-36 per 53’ trailer |
A versatile pallet size used in the beverage, paper, and publishing industries. The 36-inch depth is optimized for cases of paper products and rolled goods.
Static Load
2,500 lbs
Dynamic Load
2,200 lbs
Racking Load
1,800 lbs
| Deck Boards | 7 top / 5 bottom |
| Stringers / Blocks | 3 stringers |
| Typical Weight | 32 - 42 lbs |
| Board Thickness | 5/16" to 5/8" |
| Industries | Paper, Printing, Publishing, Beverages, Packaging |
| Truck Fit (53' trailer) | 24-28 per 53’ trailer |
A square pallet used for drums, chemicals, and US Air Force applications. This size can support 55-gallon drums in a tight 2x2 configuration and is a military-standard size.
Static Load
3,000 lbs
Dynamic Load
2,500 lbs
Racking Load
1,800 lbs
| Deck Boards | 7 top / 5 bottom |
| Stringers / Blocks | 3 stringers or block |
| Typical Weight | 38 - 50 lbs |
| Board Thickness | 5/8" to 3/4" |
| Industries | Chemicals, Drums, Military (USAF), Industrial |
| Truck Fit (53' trailer) | 20-22 per 53’ trailer |
Essentially a GMA pallet turned 90 degrees, with the 40-inch dimension as the stringer length. Used in military logistics and certain manufacturing operations where the orientation change improves conveyor compatibility.
Static Load
2,500 lbs
Dynamic Load
2,500 lbs
Racking Load
2,000 lbs
| Deck Boards | 7 top / 5 bottom |
| Stringers / Blocks | 3 stringers |
| Typical Weight | 35 - 48 lbs |
| Board Thickness | 5/16" to 3/4" |
| Industries | Military, Defense Logistics, Manufacturing, Cement, Brick |
| Truck Fit (53' trailer) | 20-26 per 53’ trailer (depending on orientation) |
Side by Side
Size Comparison Chart
Compare square footage, truck utilization, typical cost ranges, and availability across all standard sizes.
| Pallet Size | Square Feet | Per 53' Trailer | Used Pallet Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48" x 40" | 13.33 ft² | 26 | $5 - $12 | Excellent |
| 42" x 42" | 12.25 ft² | 20-24 | $8 - $15 | Good |
| 48" x 48" | 16.00 ft² | 18-20 | $10 - $18 | Good |
| 48" x 42" | 14.00 ft² | 20-22 | $8 - $14 | Good |
| 40" x 40" | 11.11 ft² | 24-26 | $6 - $12 | Moderate |
| 48" x 20" | 6.67 ft² | 40-52 | $4 - $8 | Moderate |
| 36" x 36" | 9.00 ft² | 30-36 | $5 - $10 | Moderate |
| 48" x 36" | 12.00 ft² | 24-28 | $7 - $13 | Moderate |
| 44" x 44" | 13.44 ft² | 20-22 | $9 - $16 | Limited |
| 40" x 48" | 13.33 ft² | 20-26 | $7 - $14 | Moderate |
Cost ranges reflect typical used pallet pricing and vary by region, condition (Grade A/B/C), and order volume. Contact us for current pricing.
Understanding Capacity
Weight Capacity Explained
Highest Rating
Static Load Capacity
The maximum weight a pallet can support when sitting stationary on a flat surface with the load evenly distributed. This is the highest of the three ratings because there are no dynamic forces acting on the pallet. Typical for warehouse storage on the floor.
Mid Rating
Dynamic Load Capacity
The maximum weight a pallet can support while being moved by a forklift or pallet jack. Dynamic loads create additional stress from vibration, turning, and uneven lifting. Typically 60-80% of the static load rating. This is the most relevant rating for day-to-day operations.
Lowest Rating
Racking Load Capacity
The maximum weight a pallet can support when placed on pallet racking with only the edges supported (no center support). This creates bending stress and is the most demanding use case. Typically 50-70% of the static load rating. Critical for warehouse racking systems.
Design Types
Stringer vs. Block Pallets
Understanding the two main pallet construction types helps you choose the right design for your handling equipment and storage system.
| Feature | Stringer Pallet | Block Pallet |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 2-3 parallel boards (stringers) between top and bottom deck boards | Solid wood blocks at corners and center, connected by stringers and deck boards |
| Entry Points | 2-way or partial 4-way (notched stringers) | True 4-way entry from all sides |
| Strength | Good for most applications | Stronger, higher load capacity |
| Weight | Lighter (30-48 lbs typical) | Heavier (45-75 lbs typical) |
| Cost | Lower cost, more widely available | Higher cost, more material |
| Repairability | Easier to repair, lower repair costs | More complex repairs, but blocks can be replaced individually |
| Common Sizes | 48x40 (GMA), 42x42, 48x42 | 48x40 (CHEP style), 48x48, Euro pallets |
| Best For | General warehouse, trucking, lighter loads | Automated systems, heavy loads, international shipping |
In-Depth Look
The 48x40 GMA Pallet: America's Standard
The 48x40-inch GMA pallet accounts for roughly 30 percent of all new pallets produced in the United States each year. Understanding its specifications in detail helps you make better purchasing and logistics decisions.
Why 48x40 Became the Standard
The 48x40-inch dimension was standardized by the Grocery Manufacturers Association in the 1960s because it perfectly fits two pallets side-by-side across the width of a standard US truck trailer (approximately 98.5 inches wide). This double-wide loading capability means zero wasted width in every trailer, maximizing freight efficiency.
In a 53-foot trailer using the double pinwheel stacking pattern, 26 GMA pallets fit per load. This is the most efficient pallet-per-trailer ratio of any standard size, which directly translates to lower per-unit freight costs for shippers.
Today, the 48x40 size is mandated by nearly every major US retailer including Walmart, Costco, Target, Kroger, and Amazon. Pallet rental companies like CHEP (blue pallets) and PECO (red pallets) exclusively use this size. If you ship consumer goods in America, the 48x40 is your pallet.
GMA Pallet Construction Details
- Top deck: 7 boards at 3.5 to 5.5 inches wide, spaced evenly across the 40-inch width
- Bottom deck: 5 boards, with wider boards at the outer edges for racking support
- Stringers: 3 boards at 1.5 x 3.5 inches (nominal 2x4), running the full 48-inch length
- Notches: Cut into stringers for partial four-way fork entry, typically 9 inches wide x 1.5 inches deep
- Fasteners: 60 to 80 helically threaded nails, driven flush with the wood surface
- Chamfer: Lead boards beveled at 30 to 45 degrees to ease forklift entry
- Total lumber: Approximately 10 to 12 board feet of southern yellow pine or oak
Trailer Loading Patterns
Double Pinwheel
26
pallets per 53' trailer
Straight Load
20
pallets per 53' trailer
Beyond the Basics
Less Common Sizes We Supply
Beyond the ten standard sizes listed above, Universal Pallet Supply builds and stocks a range of specialty dimensions for unique applications. If you do not see your size listed, contact our team for a custom quote.
Quarter Pallet
Quarter the footprint of a GMA pallet. Used for small retail displays, vending machine product staging, and point-of-sale promotions. Four quarter pallets fit perfectly on one GMA pallet for efficient warehousing.
Small Square Pallet
Compact square pallet for light-duty applications, small parts storage, and specialty retail. Popular with craft beverage companies and artisanal food producers who ship smaller quantities.
Oversized Industrial
Larger than standard for heavy industrial equipment, large appliances, and construction materials. Commonly used for HVAC units, generators, and machinery that exceeds GMA pallet dimensions.
Extra-Long Pallet
Six-foot long pallet for oversized items like doors, sheet goods, lumber, and long machinery components. Often custom-built with reinforced stringers to handle concentrated weight.
Supply Information
Availability & Lead Times
Standard Sizes (48x40, 42x42, 48x48)
These three sizes make up the bulk of pallet production and consumption in the US. Universal Pallet Supply maintains large inventories of all three sizes in Grade A, B, C, and Recycled at our Portsmouth, Virginia facility. Standard orders ship within 2 to 3 business days. We can fulfill truckload orders of 48x40 pallets with same-day or next-day turnaround for local Hampton Roads customers.
Common Specialty Sizes (48x42, 40x40, 48x36, 36x36)
We stock these sizes regularly but in smaller quantities than the top three. Availability is generally good with 3 to 5 business day fulfillment. For large volume orders (500+), we recommend placing orders 1 to 2 weeks in advance to guarantee availability. Contract customers receive reserved inventory allocations.
Uncommon and Custom Sizes
Sizes like 44x44, 48x20 half pallets, and reversed 40x48 pallets have more limited availability in the used pallet market. We can source or build these sizes to order with typical lead times of 5 to 10 business days. For truly custom dimensions, our manufacturing team can produce pallets to any specification. Contact us for custom sizing quotes.
We Stock Every Standard Size
Universal Pallet Supply carries all standard North American pallet sizes in used, recycled, and new conditions. Need a custom size? We build those too.