Common Pallet Sizes in North America: A Complete Guide
While the 48x40 inch GMA pallet dominates the North American market with roughly 35% market share, there are dozens of standard and specialty sizes in common use. Choosing the wrong pallet size wastes trailer space, increases shipping costs, and can even create safety issues. Here is a rundown of the most common sizes and their typical applications.
The Big Six: GMA Standard Sizes
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (now the Consumer Brands Association) established six standard pallet sizes that together account for approximately 80% of all pallets in use across North America.
- 48 x 40 inches — The most common size by far. Standard for grocery, retail, and general merchandise. Fits optimally in a 53-foot trailer (two pallets wide, stacked 20-21 per trailer)
- 42 x 42 inches — Primarily used in telecommunications and paint industries. Square design allows four-way entry
- 48 x 48 inches — Common in drums, barrels, and bulk liquid containers. Also used in agriculture and the chemical industry
- 48 x 42 inches — Used in the chemical and beverage industries where the extra 2 inches of width accommodates larger containers
- 40 x 40 inches — Standard in dairy and some automotive applications. Square design works well for products that need equal support in all directions
- 48 x 45 inches — Used in automotive and some military applications where the extra width is needed for specific product dimensions
Choosing the Right Size
The optimal pallet size is determined by three factors: your product dimensions (what fits most efficiently), your transportation mode (what maximizes trailer utilization), and your customer requirements (what their receiving docks and racking systems accept).
For most companies shipping within the domestic U.S. market, the 48x40 is the default choice and should be used unless you have a specific reason not to. Its ubiquity means it is the easiest size to source, the cheapest to buy, and the most liquid in buyback and resale markets.
International Considerations
If you export to Europe, be aware that the European standard pallet (EUR pallet) measures 1200 x 800 mm (approximately 47.24 x 31.50 inches). The Australian standard is 1165 x 1165 mm. Asian markets use a mix of standards. Shipping goods on a non-standard pallet to an international customer can create receiving problems, so always confirm sizing requirements before shipping.
Need a non-standard size? Custom pallets are available for virtually any dimension. Contact our team with your product specifications and we will engineer a solution that maximizes both protection and transportation efficiency.