Standard pallet dimensions
Pallets are the base unit of palletised freight, and their footprint decides how efficiently a truck or container fills. Regions standardised on different sizes — Europe on the 1200 × 800 mm EUR pallet, North America on the 48 × 40 inch GMA pallet — and each has rated load limits. This reference lists the common types with dimensions and capacities in either unit.
How it works
A pallet’s footprint (length × width) determines how many tile across a container or trailer floor; its height adds to total stack height under a container roof. Each pallet has a dynamic load (safe weight while being moved by forklift or jack) and a higher static load (safe weight at rest, e.g. in a rack). The dynamic figure governs transit. The inch toggle converts millimetres (÷ 25.4) and kilograms to pounds (× 2.20462). Wooden pallets dominate; plastic and pressed-wood variants trade durability and weight against cost and hygiene rules.
Tips and examples
For European supply chains, use the EUR/EPAL 1200 × 800 mm pallet — its exchange pool lets you swap rather than buy pallets each shipment. For North America, the GMA 48 × 40 in is near-universal in grocery and retail. When loading a 20ft container, EUR pallets tile 11-to-a-layer with minimal gap, while GMA pallets tile 10; matching pallet to container avoids paying to ship air. Never exceed the dynamic rating in transit even if the static rating is higher — a pallet rated 1000 kg dynamic can fail under that load when jolted on a forklift.