Standard Pallet Sizes in the US
In the US, the 48 x 40 4 way pallet is by far the most common pallet in circulation. Originally standardized by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (renamed Grocery Manufacturers of America later) after World War II, the standard was needed because grocers, distributors and producers needed a uniform pallet size to optimize forklift handling and trailer/boxcar space.
Accounting for roughly 30% of all wood pallets, the 48 x 40 4 way pallet, or “GMA”, is bought and sold in three types: as new pallets made from virgin lumber, pallets built from a combination of new and recycled lumber as well as recycled pallets.
Pallets are referred to by their size, expressed as length x width. Length refers to the stringer length. Stringers are the components that stand vertically and are what the deck boards are nailed into. The width refers to board width. Thus a GMA pallet is called a 48 x 40, whereas a 40 x 48 pallet (see below) is built with 40” stringers and 48” deck boards.
In addition to the GMA pallet though there are other sizes that also are universally shared across other industries:
Sizes are in inches:
- 42 x 42 – these pallets are common to the chemical, telecom, automotive and paint industries.
- 48 x 42 – used in the chemical and beverage industries.
- 40 x 48 – different from the GMA in that the length (stringer) is 40” and the boards are 48”. These pallets are commonly seen in the cement and military or government industries.
- 48 x 48 – customary size used to transport the ubiquitous 24” steel or plastic drum, fitting 4 on a single pallet.
- 40 x 40 – used in the dairy industry.
- 44 x 56 and 56 x 44 – used in the can and plastic bottling manufacturing industry (44 x 56) and the glass bottle manufacturing industry. Both pallets measure 44” x 56”, although the board, block and stringer board configurations are swapped. Stringer boards are the components that are sandwiched between the top deck boards and blocks.
- 20 x 40 and 20 x 20 – these sizes are usually called display pallets and are used in retail environments. The smaller footprint allows for use in aisles to display products without blocking aisle access.
The above sizes comprise approximately half of the pallet sizes used in the US. The remaining 50% spans a wide range of sizes and are usually designed with a specific product and/or industry in mind. In addition to the above sizes, there are also “block” style pallets that are built differently than a traditional stringer pallet, e.g., can and glass pallets. Here’s an example of block style pallets:
Typically used in Europe, block pallets are also used in some industries in the US – specifically the glass bottle and metal can industries.
See designs of can and glass pallets below.
Can:
Glass:
GMA Pallets:
For GMA pallets, they’re typically one of three categories: new, recycled (used), or a combination of new and reclaimed lumber. Recycled GMA pallets are sold by grade which roughly represents the overall specification of the pallet as well as repairs made. For example, B grade recycled pallets will have at least one stringer that has been repaired with a sister or double stringer. For a better understanding of recycled GMA pallets check out our listing here.
New GMA pallets don’t fall a one-size-fits-all specification. This is because new pallets can be built to any specification, meaning deck board and stringer dimensions (thickness) can vary. Usually a lighter weight new GMA, or one built with thinner stringers and deck boards, was engineered to fall into a low price point. The thinner components however sacrifice durability. Our new pallets can be built from hardwood, softwood (southern yellow pine) or a combination of the two and we use the Pallet Design System to make sure your pallet load requirements are met.