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What Is the Pallet Width Standard?
The pallet width refers to the shorter side of a pallet when viewed from the forklift entry point. For example, in a 48×40 inch pallet (GMA standards), the width is 40 inches (1016 mm). The width directly affects loading efficiency and equipment compatibility.
Not all “popular sizes” are formal standards. While 48×40 inches is the most common size in the U.S., only the 40-inch width is considered a standard for many warehousing systems.
Regional Pallet Width Standards Around the World
Pallet width standards differ by region, and each reflects local logistics design and racking systems. This table summarizes the standard width used in typical pallet formats.
| Region / Country | Standard Pallet Size (L × W) | Standard Width (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 1219 × 1016 mm (48×40 in) | 1016 mm | Follows GMA standard; forestry uses wider sizes |
| Europe (EUR/EPAL) | 1200 × 800 mm | 800 mm | Most common in EU; ISO 6780 compliant |
| United Kingdom | 1200 × 1000 mm | 1000 mm | Used for heavier or mixed loads |
| Germany | 1200 × 800 mm | 800 mm | Dominant in automation-heavy sectors |
| Australia | 1165 × 1165 mm | 1165 mm | Local standard; not ISO container friendly |
| New Zealand | 1165 × 1165 mm | 1165 mm | Same as Australia; 1100 mm used for export |
| China / Japan | 1100 × 1100 mm | 1100 mm | Modern warehouses prefer ISO-aligned pallets |
| South Korea | 1100 × 1000 mm | 1000 mm | Common in electronics and export supply chains |
| Southeast Asia | 1100 × 1000 mm / 1200 × 1000 mm | 1000–1100 mm | Mixed use depending on export needs |
| Brazil (South America) | 1200 × 1000 mm | 1000 mm | Fits local logistics; partly ISO compliant |
How Pallet Width Affects Warehouse and Transport Operations
Pallet width directly affects how smoothly your operations run. A poor fit doesn’t just waste space—it slows you down and creates risk.
Impact on Warehouse Efficiency
If your pallet width doesn’t match your racking or aisle system, it can disrupt flow and reduce space utilization. You may face:
- Overhanging pallets that create safety hazards
- Loose gaps that reduce stacking stability
- Incompatible widths for AGVs, conveyors, or lift tables
- Wasted shelf space due to misaligned pallet loads
Always measure against your actual rack inner width—not just pallet specs from suppliers.
Impact on Transport and Container Loading
Shipping efficiency depends on how well your pallet width matches the truck or container layout. Problems arise when:
- Pallets can’t line up side by side inside a 20GP/40HQ container
- Empty spaces between pallets reduce load density
- Unstable stacking occurs due to non-uniform base support
- Handling time increases because forklifts must realign loads
Getting this wrong doesn’t just hurt space utilization—it increases cost per shipment.
Custom Pallet Widths and When You Should Consider Them
Not every operation fits a standard pallet width. If your loads are oversized, uneven, or fragile, a custom width can make handling easier and safer.
Sometimes the issue isn’t with the pallet—it’s with the space around it. Your racks, equipment, or products may demand widths outside the usual range. That’s where custom sizing comes in.
You might need a custom pallet width if:
- Your product overhangs or wastes space on a standard pallet
- Your racking system was built around a different base size
- You use large parts, flat panels, or IBC drums that don’t fit standard footprints
- Your export shipments require optimized container filling
Unlike what many believe, custom widths don’t always mean high cost. In fact, if your pallets are reused often or used in automation, the return on a proper fit is much higher than the small upfront premium.
Custom Pallet Width Is Not a Spec—It’s a Competitive Advantage
You’ve seen how width shapes space, safety, and efficiency. But standard sizes don’t fit every rack, load, or shipment. That’s where we step in.
Enlightening Pallet as a plastic pallet manufacturer focused on export and industrial logistics, we help you avoid mismatched pallets through width-specific structural design. Whether you’re stacking printed sheets, storing water jugs, or loading oversized panels, we adjust:
- Pallet width to fit your racking or aisle gap
- Base type (3-runner, full-perimeter, cruciform) for load stability
- Deck style (flat, grid, closed) for product support
- Material and weight to balance durability and cost
You don’t need to waste money on oversize pallets—or risk unsafe loading with underfit ones. Let us size it right from the start.
Send us your product size, storage layout, and load weight—we’ll build the right pallet width for your system. That’s how long-term handling efficiency starts. For more on how we tailor pallet dimensions to your warehouse and transport system, explore our Customized Services page.
To better understand how width fits into the full picture of pallet sizing, check out our complete guide on Standard Pallet Sizes.
