Standard Pallet Sizes & Dimensions 2026: GMA vs Euro vs ISO
Complete reference for standard pallet sizes and dimensions — GMA, Euro, ISO and Asian formats — with load capacities, container fit counts for 20ft and 40ft units, and how to pick the right footprint.
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TL;DR
The standard pallet size in the USA is the GMA pallet at 48" × 40" (121.9 × 101.6 cm), which accounts for roughly 30% of all pallets in North America. Europe's standard is the EUR/EPAL pallet at 1200 × 800 mm, and ISO recognizes six footprints worldwide, including 1100 × 1100 mm for Asia-Pacific. GMA pallets carry 2,500–4,600 lb of dynamic load; HDPE sanitary pallets reach 8,800 lb.
A 40ft container fits 20–24 GMA pallets in one layer, a 20ft fits 10–11. Use the Pallet Calculator to model your exact footprint, height and weight before booking freight.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| US standard (GMA) | 48" × 40" (1219 × 1016 mm) |
| European standard (EUR/EPAL 1) | 1200 × 800 mm (47.2" × 31.5") |
| ISO footprints recognized | 6 (ISO 6780) |
| Typical deck height | 5"–6" (127–152 mm) |
| GMA dynamic load | 2,500–4,600 lb |
| HDPE sanitary pallet load | up to 8,800 lb dynamic |
| 40ft container, single layer | 20–24 GMA pallets |
| 20ft container, single layer | 10–11 GMA pallets |
| ISPM 15 heat treatment | Required for wood, exempt for plastic |
What Counts as a "Standard" Pallet Size
There is no single global standard pallet size. Three systems dominate:
Pallet dimensions are always written length × width, where length is the direction of the stringers or top deck boards. Getting this order wrong is the single most common cause of a mis-planned container load.
Standard Pallet Size Chart
| Pallet type | Dimensions (in) | Dimensions (mm) | Primary region | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMA / North American | 48 × 40 | 1219 × 1016 | USA, Canada, Mexico | Grocery, retail, manufacturing |
| EUR / EPAL 1 | 47.2 × 31.5 | 1200 × 800 | Europe | Pooled exchange, retail |
| EUR 2 / EPAL 2 | 47.2 × 39.4 | 1200 × 1000 | Europe | Industrial, chemical |
| EUR 3 | 39.4 × 47.2 | 1000 × 1200 | Europe | Beverage, heavy loads |
| EUR 6 / Half pallet | 31.5 × 23.6 | 800 × 600 | Europe | Display, retail-ready |
| ISO / Asian standard | 43.3 × 43.3 | 1100 × 1100 | Asia-Pacific | Marine containers, export |
| Australian standard | 45.9 × 45.9 | 1165 × 1165 | Australia | Rail, domestic freight |
| ISO 1200 × 1000 | 47.2 × 39.4 | 1200 × 1000 | Europe, Asia | Export, drums |
| Beverage / Display | 48 × 20 | 1219 × 508 | USA | In-store display |
| Military / MIL-STD | 40 × 48 | 1016 × 1219 | USA | Defense logistics |
ISO 6780 recognized footprints
ISO 6780 lists exactly six sizes: 1219 × 1016 mm, 1200 × 1000 mm, 1200 × 800 mm, 1140 × 1140 mm, 1100 × 1100 mm and 1067 × 1067 mm. If you export to multiple continents, specifying an ISO footprint avoids re-palletizing at the port.
Pallet Weight Capacities Compared
Capacity is quoted three ways, and confusing them causes racking failures:
| Pallet material | Static load | Dynamic load | Racking load | Empty weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood GMA (new) | 8,000–10,000 lb | 2,800–4,600 lb | 2,000–2,800 lb | 40–75 lb |
| Wood GMA (recycled) | 5,000–8,000 lb | 2,000–3,000 lb | 1,500–2,200 lb | 45–80 lb |
| HDPE nestable | 6,000–8,000 lb | 2,000–3,000 lb | 1,000–1,500 lb | 15–25 lb |
| HDPE sanitary / rackable | 20,000–30,000 lb | 5,000–8,800 lb | 2,500–4,000 lb | 40–55 lb |
| Steel | 30,000+ lb | 10,000+ lb | 6,000+ lb | 80–120 lb |
For food, pharma and cleanroom operations, HDPE sanitary pallets hit GMA dimensions while adding a non-porous, washable surface — see our full plastic vs wood pallet comparison.
How Many Pallets Fit in a Shipping Container
Container interior dimensions set the limit. Single-layer floor counts:
| Container | Interior L × W × H | GMA 48×40 | EUR 1200×800 | ISO 1100×1100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 233.6 × 235.2 × 239.5 cm | 10–11 | 11 | 8 |
| 40ft standard | 1203.1 × 235.2 × 239.5 cm | 20–21 | 23–24 | 18–20 |
| 40ft High Cube | 1203.1 × 235.2 × 269.5 cm | 20–21 | 23–24 | 18–20 |
The High Cube adds 30 cm of height, not floor space — it pays off only when your load is stackable or taller than 2.4 m. Double-stacking a 1.2 m load doubles those counts, subject to the container's payload limit (roughly 21.7 t for a 20ft, 26.8 t for a 40ft).
Run your own numbers: the Pallet Calculator tests both orientations, applies stacking height, and flags when weight — not floor space — is your real constraint.
Choosing the Right Pallet Footprint
Pairing standard pallets with matching container footprints matters too: MonsterCombo® bulk bins and Gaylord replacements are built on 48 × 40 bases so they drop straight into GMA racking and trailer plans.
Common Costly Mistakes
FAQ
What is the standard pallet size?
In the United States the standard pallet size is the GMA pallet: 48 inches long by 40 inches wide (1219 × 1016 mm), typically 5–6 inches tall. In Europe the standard is the EUR/EPAL pallet at 1200 × 800 mm.
What are standard pallet dimensions in mm?
The GMA pallet is 1219 × 1016 mm. The EUR/EPAL 1 pallet is 1200 × 800 mm, EUR 2 is 1200 × 1000 mm, and the Asian ISO pallet is 1100 × 1100 mm.
How much weight can a standard pallet hold?
A new wooden GMA pallet holds about 2,800–4,600 lb dynamic load and 2,000–2,800 lb in racking. HDPE sanitary pallets rated for racking carry up to 8,800 lb dynamic and 20,000–30,000 lb static.
How many pallets fit in a 40ft container?
A 40ft container fits 20–21 GMA (48" × 40") pallets or 23–24 Euro pallets in a single layer. Stackable loads under 1.2 m tall can double those counts up to the container's 26.8 t payload limit.
How many pallets fit in a 20ft container?
A 20ft container fits 10–11 GMA pallets or about 11 Euro pallets in one layer, with a payload limit of roughly 21.7 t.
Is a 48x40 pallet the same as a GMA pallet?
Yes. "48 × 40," "GMA pallet" and "North American standard pallet" all refer to the same 1219 × 1016 mm footprint used across US grocery, retail and manufacturing supply chains.
What is the difference between GMA and Euro pallets?
GMA pallets are 48" × 40" and built for US racking and 53ft trailers. Euro pallets are 1200 × 800 mm, smaller and lighter, designed for European truck widths and the EPAL exchange pool. Euro pallets often fit more units per sea container; GMA pallets carry more weight per unit.
Do plastic pallets need ISPM 15 heat treatment?
No. ISPM 15 applies only to solid wood packaging material. HDPE and other plastic pallets are exempt, which removes $3–$8 per pallet in treatment cost and 2–5 days of documentation time on export shipments.
Sources
ISO 6780:2003 (flat pallets for intercontinental materials handling — principal dimensions and tolerances); EPAL technical specifications for EUR pallet types 1–6; IPPC ISPM 15 standard on wood packaging material; ISO 668 container interior dimensions and payload ratings; Bonar Plastics HDPE pallet load-rating data sheets.
Related reading
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