A 48×40 pallet is the standard GMA pallet used across North America. It measures 48 inches long by 40 inches wide, or 1,219 by 1,016 millimeters. Its height is about 6.5 inches. It has seven top deck boards and five bottom boards. Forks can enter from all four sides. A typical wood unit weighs 33 to 48 pounds. It carries at least 2,500 pounds.
This post is the full spec sheet for the 48×40 pallet. It gives each size in inches and millimeters. It also covers deck boards, entry, weight, and load capacity. For the wider picture, see our guide to standard pallet dimensions. Moreover, that guide compares the GMA size with European and ISO sizes.
What is a 48×40 pallet?
A 48×40 pallet is a wood pallet built to the GMA spec for grocery freight. GMA means Grocery Manufacturers Association. That group is now the Consumer Brands Association. The spec sets one footprint, one deck layout, and four-way entry. Shippers, warehouses, and retailers all handle the same unit.
In short, the spec exists so a load can move without being rebuilt. For example, a shipper in Ohio can send a pallet to a retailer in Texas. Also, the receiving dock needs no special gear. The forks fit. Racks fit too. And trailers fit.
Next, know the two common builds. Stringer pallets use long boards on the sides. Also, those side boards have notches for forks. Block pallets use solid blocks at the corners and middle. As a result, block builds often suit racking and heavy loads. However, both builds follow the same 48 by 40 footprint.
In addition, grade tells you the condition. Premium pallets look almost new. A Grade A pallet shows light use. Repairs mark most Grade B pallets. Poor condition defines Grade C pallets. PalletOne lists these grades in its GMA guide. So always ask for the grade before you buy.
Finally, this pallet is also called a whitewood pallet when it is sold for exchange, not rental. Pooled pallets, by contrast, stay in a rental fleet. CHEP and PECO run those fleets. Even so, all of them use the same footprint.
What are the exact dimensions and specs?
A standard 48×40 pallet measures 48 by 40 inches, or 1,219 by 1,016 millimeters. It is usually 6.5 inches, or 165 millimeters, tall. Its top and bottom deck boards are at least 0.5 inches thick. PalletOne lists these figures in its GMA pallet spec.
The table below gives the full 48×40 pallet spec in one place.
| Spec | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint (length × width) | 48 × 40 in | 1,219 × 1,016 mm |
| Height | About 6.5 in | About 165 mm |
| Top deck boards | 7 boards | Two 5.5 × 40 in end boards, five 3.5 × 40 in middle boards |
| Bottom deck boards | 5 boards | Two 5.5 × 40 in end boards, three 3.5 × 40 in middle boards |
| Deck board thickness | At least 0.5 in | At least 12.7 mm |
| Entry type | 4-way, with 2 side notches | Fork entry from all four sides |
| Build types | Stringer or block | Both follow the GMA spec |
| Typical empty weight | 33 to 48 lb | About 15 to 22 kg |
| Minimum load capacity | 2,500 lb | About 1,134 kg |
How to read the 48×40 pallet spec
First, read the size as length by width. The 48-inch side is the length. Also, the stringers run along that length. Then check the height. A taller pallet eats trailer space. A lower pallet may not clear your forks. So confirm all three numbers before you order.
Next, the deck boards carry the load. The top deck uses seven boards. Two wide boards sit at the ends. Five narrower boards sit in the middle. Also, the bottom deck uses five boards. That layout spreads weight well. It also leaves gaps for air flow.
In addition, entry shapes daily work. A 48×40 pallet gives four-way entry. Forks can enter from the front, back, and both sides. However, stringer builds use notches on the side. Block builds open all four sides fully. As a result, crews turn pallets less and load trucks faster.
Finally, export adds one more spec. GMA pallets can be heat-treated for international shipping. PalletOne notes this on its GMA page. Heat treatment also supports ISPM 15 rules for wood packaging. So check the stamp before you ship across a border.
How much weight can a 48×40 pallet hold?
A 48×40 pallet holds at least 2,500 pounds under the GMA guidelines cited by PalletOne. That figure is a minimum, not a ceiling. Stronger builds carry more in static storage. Loads on a moving forklift rate lower. Grade, wood, and load shape change the safe limit.
First, split the load by how it sits. For instance, a static load rests on the floor. Also, a dynamic load rides on moving forks. A racked load rests on rack beams only. Each case stresses the pallet in a new way. So the same pallet rates lower in motion than at rest.
Typical ranges help you plan. The GMA minimum is 2,500 pounds. Heavy-duty builds can handle far more at rest. Sources often cite up to about 4,600 pounds for static storage. Still, treat that high figure as an upper guide, not a promise. In practice, most teams stay near the minimum. That margin keeps people and goods safe.
Also, check these factors before you load:
- Grade and condition of the pallet
- Board thickness and wood type
- Stringer or block build
- Load spread and carton strength
- Racking or floor storage
In short, never load by footprint alone. Ask the maker for the rating of your exact build. Then test with a trial load. Also, inspect each pallet before use. Cracked boards and loose nails cut capacity fast.
Why is 48×40 the most popular size?
The 48×40 pallet is the most popular size in North America because trucks, racks, and stores were built around it. PalletOne calls it the most commonly used pallet size in the US. Industry sources put its share at about 30 percent of all pallets in US circulation.
First, the fit in trucks is hard to beat. Two pallets sit side by side across a trailer. Also, 26 pallets floor-load a standard 53-foot trailer. That pattern leaves little wasted space. As a result, freight cost per case stays low.
Next, the installed base keeps it on top. Racks, conveyors, and dock doors match its size. Also, forklift fleets handle it all day. Suppliers stock it in every region. So no team wants to pay to switch systems.
In addition, pallet pools use this size. CHEP and PECO both run 48 by 40 fleets. Meanwhile, retailers write this size into their routing guides. Suppliers who ship on it avoid re-palletizing work. They also avoid dock delays and chargebacks.
Finally, grocery gave it the first push. Food makers needed one size for stores nationwide. That shared need built the spec. Then other sectors adopted it. Today, it is the default US choice.
Where are 48×40 pallets used?
48×40 pallets are used in grocery, food and drink, retail, and general freight across North America. Grocery stores and food makers use them most. Big-box retailers, warehouses, and distribution centers use them too. Any site with standard racking and dock doors can receive them with ease.
For example, you will see this pallet in:
- Grocery and food manufacturing
- Drinks and bottled goods
- Retail and big-box stores
- Consumer goods and paper products
- Warehousing and third-party logistics
- General freight and auto parts
First, grocery remains its home ground. Food plants pack cases to fit this footprint. Also, stores receive full pallets at the back door. Crews then move them to the floor or to racks. That flow is fast and simple.
Next, warehouses like its fit with standard racks. Most US rack bays suit its depth. Also, its four-way entry speeds put-away work. Pickers can reach it from any aisle side. As a result, handling time drops.
However, it is not right for every lane. Europe runs on EUR pallets. Oversized machines may need custom pallets. Also, export loads need heat-treated wood. So match the pallet to the market, not just the load.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to the questions buyers ask most about this pallet.
How tall is a 48×40 pallet?
A 48×40 pallet is usually 6.5 inches tall, or about 165 millimeters. That is the figure PalletOne lists for GMA pallets. However, height can vary a little by build. So measure your own stack before you plan trailer cube or rack clearance.
How much does a 48×40 pallet weigh?
A typical wood 48×40 pallet weighs 33 to 48 pounds. For example, new pallets of dense wood weigh more. Old, dry, or repaired pallets weigh less. Also, pooled block pallets can weigh more than stringer pallets. Always weigh a sample before you set freight rates.
Is a 48×40 pallet the same as a GMA pallet?
Yes, in daily US trade the two names mean the same pallet. GMA is the spec name. 48×40 is the size name. Still, a pallet only meets the spec if its boards, entry, and height match. So check the build, not just the footprint.
What does 4-way entry mean on a 48×40 pallet?
In other words, forks can enter from all four sides of the pallet. A driver does not need to turn the load first. Block pallets open all four sides. Stringer pallets use side notches to do the same. As a result, loading is faster.
How many 48×40 pallets fit in a 53-foot trailer?
A standard 53-foot trailer holds 26 pallets in a single floor layer. Two pallets sit across the width. Thirteen rows run down the length. Double stacking can double the count for light goods. However, load height and weight limits rule that choice.
