If you've ever tried to figure out which pallet size you need, you know it's not as simple as "just get a standard pallet." While the 48x40 inch GMA pallet is the most common in North America, there are dozens of standard and custom sizes in use across different industries.
The 48x40 inch pallet — also known as the GMA pallet (named after the Grocery Manufacturers Association) — accounts for roughly 30% of all new pallets produced in the United States. It's the default for most retail and grocery supply chains, and it's optimized for standard US trailer widths. Two GMA pallets sit side by side perfectly in a 96-inch-wide trailer.
But "standard" varies by region and industry. In Europe, the EUR pallet (also called EPAL) measures 800x1200mm (roughly 31.5x47.3 inches). In Australia, the standard is 1165x1165mm (roughly 45.9x45.9 inches). If you're doing business internationally, you need to know which standard your trading partners use.
Within the US, different industries have settled on different sizes. The beverage industry commonly uses 48x48 inch pallets. The automotive industry often uses 48x45 inch pallets. The chemical and drum industry prefers 48x48 inch pallets to accommodate standard 55-gallon drums. The telecommunications industry has standardized on 42x42 inch pallets.
Choosing the right pallet size is primarily about maximizing space utilization. If your product dimensions don't align well with the pallet footprint, you're paying to ship air. For example, if your cartons are 20x20 inches, they fit perfectly on a 40x40 pallet (four cartons per layer) but waste space on a 48x40 pallet.
Height matters too. Standard pallet height is about 6 inches, but low-profile pallets (3-4 inches) exist for applications where headroom is tight, such as airfreight containers or low-clearance racking. Euro pallets are typically 5.7 inches tall.
Weight capacity is related to size but also depends on construction. A standard GMA 48x40 pallet in new condition can typically hold 2,500 lbs in static applications and 2,200 lbs in dynamic (transport) applications. Heavy-duty pallets designed for dense products like building materials or metals may support 5,000+ lbs.
At Bakersfield Pallet Co., we stock the most common sizes and can source or build custom dimensions for specialized needs. If you're not sure which size is right for your products, we offer free consultations where we analyze your carton dimensions, weight requirements, and shipping methods to recommend the optimal pallet.
One final tip: if you're designing product packaging, design for the pallet, not the other way around. Work backward from standard pallet dimensions to determine carton sizes that maximize pallet utilization. This can significantly reduce your shipping costs over time.
Ready to Talk Pallets?
Whether you need pallets, want to sell surplus, or have questions — we're here to help.
Get in Touch