Standard Pallet Sizes (48x40, 48x45 and More)

What is the standard size of a wooden pallet?

The standard pallet size in North America is the 48x40-inch pallet, equivalent to 121.9 x 101.6 cm. It is known as the GMA pallet because the Grocery Manufacturers Association standardized it in the 1960s to streamline retail and grocery distribution. Today it accounts for roughly 35% of all new pallets manufactured each year in the United States, and it is also the dominant reference size in Mexico.

Why did it become the standard? Pure geometry: two 48x40 pallets fit side by side across the 98.5-inch interior width of a 53-foot dry van, which minimizes the cost per pallet shipped. On top of that, selective racking—the most common storage system in warehouses—is designed precisely around that 48x40 footprint.

How big is a 48x40 pallet in centimeters, and how much can it hold?

A 48x40 pallet measures 121.9 x 101.6 cm with a typical height of 14 to 16.5 cm (6 to 6.5 inches). It is a four-way entry pallet, so a forklift or pallet jack can lift it from any of its four sides. Empty, it weighs roughly 15 to 22 kg, and depending on its design and lumber quality it carries typical dynamic loads (in motion) of 1,100 to 2,000 kg.

What other standard pallet sizes are there?

Beyond the 48x40, each industry adopted the footprint that best fits its product. These are the sizes we are asked for and manufacture most often:

If your operation moves general dry freight, the 48x40 will almost always be the most economical and compatible option. You can see the models and configurations we manufacture on our wooden pallets page.

What size is the Euro pallet (EPAL), and when should you use it?

The Euro pallet or EPAL measures 1200 x 800 mm (120 x 80 cm) with a height of 144 mm, and weighs 22 to 25 kg empty. It is one of the six sizes recognized by ISO 6780 for intercontinental handling, alongside the 1200x1000 mm, the Asian 1100x1100 mm and the 1067x1067 mm, among others. Its dimensions are calculated to make the most of European trucks and ISO containers.

You use it when exporting to Europe, where much of the racking and automated handling systems are designed around that footprint. Keep in mind that any wooden pallet used in international trade—EPAL or GMA—must comply with the ISPM 15 phytosanitary standard through heat treatment. If you export, it is worth reviewing our guide to export pallets and the article on what ISPM 15 is.

When does a custom-size pallet make sense?

A standard size is ideal when your product makes good use of it. But there are cases where a custom-size pallet is more cost-effective in the long run:

• Long or irregular parts: profiles, tubing, machinery or sheet metal that overhang a 48x40 and get damaged or unbalanced.
• Specific footprints: auto parts in dedicated bins, drums, rolls or boxes with a base that doesn't match any standard size.
• Container optimization: when adjusting a few centimeters lets you fit one more row or tier per container and lowers the logistics cost per trip.
• Very heavy loads: that call for more stringers, a double deck or thicker lumber than standard.

The practical rule: if a standard pallet leaves overhang or dead space, or forces you to reinforce the load, a pallet designed to your exact size usually reduces total cost even if the unit price is slightly higher.

What factors determine the price of a pallet?

There is no single "pallet price," because it depends on several variables. Rather than quoting a figure that would change with every project, these are the factors that drive the cost:

• Size and design: dimensions, number of entry points (two-way or four-way) and whether it has one or two decks.
• Lumber: type (pine, plywood, particleboard), thickness and grade.
• Load to be supported: the higher the capacity, the more stringers and reinforcement.
• New or reconditioned and the order volume.
• Heat treatment (HT) with the ISPM 15 stamp if the pallet is going to be exported.

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