Pallet in Shipping: Sizes, Types and Meaning

In plain English

The 48 by 40 inch pallet (the GMA pallet) is the standard in the US. A standard 53-foot trailer holds about 26 of them, one layer high. Freight on a pallet is easier to handle and is less likely to be damaged, so LTL carriers prefer it.

A pallet adds weight, around 30 to 50 lb for wood, and carriers count it in the total.

Why it matters when you ship

Keep freight within the pallet footprint, because overhang increases the size and can raise the class. Stack evenly, wrap tightly and use corner protection for fragile goods.

Example

Forty boxes stacked on a 48 by 40 pallet and shrink-wrapped make one pallet, about 48 inches tall and 700 lb.

Related terms

• Crate
• Cubic feet
• Linear feet
• Density
• LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)

Learn more

Pallet: common questions