1200 × 1200 pallet: dimensions, weight and specs
A 1200 × 1200 mm pallet (47.2 × 47.2 in) is a square metric pallet used for drums, bulk bags (FIBCs), IBCs and heavy industrial loads. It is not one of the six ISO 6780 sizes. It is roughly the metric counterpart of the 48 × 48 drum pallet, and it is too wide to fit two across an ISO container.
- Type
- Wood block
- Footprint
- 1200 × 1200 mm
- Height
- 146 mm
- Lumber
- 18.6 bd ft
- Est. weight
- 81 lb (37 kg)
- Fasteners
- 92
Every dimension is editable. Get the drawing free, or request a quote.
Dimensions
| Inches | 47.24 × 47.24 in |
|---|---|
| Millimetres | 1200 × 1200 mm |
| Centimetres | 120 × 120 cm |
| Feet | 3.94 × 3.94 ft |
| Footprint area | 15.50 sq ft (1.440 m²) |
Pallets per floor (single stacked)
| Equipment | Straight | Turned | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53 ft dry van | 26 | 26 | 26 |
| 48 ft dry van | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| 26 ft box truck | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| 20 ft container | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 40 ft container | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 45 ft high cube | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Straight = length along the trailer. Floor positions only, with no gaps for load bars or overhang. Weight often limits first. Open the calculator
The 1200 × 1200 mm pallet (47.2 × 47.2 in) is a square metric pallet used for drums, bulk bags (FIBCs), IBCs and other heavy square loads. It is the metric near-equivalent of the North American 48 × 48 drum pallet. It is widely used but is not one of the six ISO 6780 footprints.
What are the dimensions of a 1200 × 1200 pallet?
A 1200 × 1200 pallet is 1200 mm (47.2 in) square. Heights typically run about 140 to 160 mm (5.5 to 6.3 in). CHEP, for example, lists a 3-runner wooden 1200 × 1200 pallet at 154 mm tall for India and China.
Typical builds at 1200 × 1200
| Build | Typical features |
|---|---|
| Wood block, 3 runners | Top boards on 3 bottom runners (stringerboards on blocks); 2-way pallet-jack entry, 4-way forklift entry |
| Wood block, perimeter | 9 blocks with a perimeter base for full 4-way entry and conveyors |
| Plastic | Rackable or hygienic models for drums and IBCs, often with a closed deck |
Drum and bag loads concentrate weight, so 1200 × 1200 pallets usually have more top boards and thicker decks than a Euro pallet. You can draw one from the 1200 × 1000 perimeter template and set the size to 1200 × 1200 in the designer.
How much does a 1200 × 1200 pallet weigh?
As an estimate, wooden 1200 × 1200 pallets weigh roughly 25 to 45 kg (55 to 100 lb). Board count, thickness, species and moisture content set the figure. Plastic models vary; take the weight from the data sheet. See pallet weight.
How much weight can a 1200 × 1200 pallet hold?
There is no standard rating. Four 200 L steel drums or a full bulk bag can put 1,000 kg or more on the pallet, concentrated at the drum chimes or the bag base. Ask the manufacturer for static, dynamic and racked ratings for your load. See pallet load capacity.
Who uses 1200 × 1200 pallets?
- Chemicals: 200 L drums (four per pallet) and IBCs. See chemicals.
- Bulk bags: minerals, fertilizer, feed, resin, food ingredients.
- India and China: CHEP pools a 1200 × 1200 pallet in both markets.
Fit in containers and trucks
Two 1200 × 1200 pallets need 2400 mm across, which does not fit inside a standard 20 ft or 40 ft container (inside width about 2350 mm). In a container they go single file, which wastes floor space. That is why the chemical industry uses the 1140 × 1140 CP3 and CP9 for container export. In a 53 ft North American trailer, two 1200 mm (47.2 in) pallets fit side by side. The table above shows the counts.
Related sizes
- 48 × 48: the North American drum pallet.
- 1140 × 1140: the container-friendly CP square.
- 1200 × 1000: the industrial pallet.
- See pallet sizes in mm for all metric sizes.
Specifying a 1200 × 1200 pallet for a quote
- Bottom style: 3 runners, perimeter, or 9 blocks.
- Top board count and thickness; maximum gap under drum chimes.
- Load: drums, bags or IBCs, count and weight.
- Handling: pallet jacks, conveyors, racking.
- Transport: trailer or container (reconsider the size for containers).
- ISPM 15 for export.
See the RFQ checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 1200x1200 pallet used for?
Drums, bulk bags (FIBCs), intermediate bulk containers and other heavy square loads, mostly in chemicals, minerals, animal feed and agriculture.
Is 1200x1200 an ISO pallet size?
No. The six ISO 6780 sizes are 1200 × 800, 1200 × 1000, 1219 × 1016, 1165 × 1165, 1067 × 1067 and 1100 × 1100 mm. 1200 × 1200 is common, but it is not among them.
Do 1200x1200 pallets fit in a shipping container?
Only in single file. Two side by side need 2400 mm, more than the roughly 2350 mm inside width of a standard container. For containers, the 1140 × 1140 CP3 and CP9 pallets are the usual square choice.
How much does a 1200x1200 pallet weigh?
Wooden 1200 × 1200 block pallets typically weigh roughly 25 to 45 kg depending on board count, thickness and moisture (estimate). Heavy drum builds are at the upper end.
Sources and references
Related
- Sizes48 × 48 pallet (drum pallet): dimensions, weight and specsA 48 × 48 in pallet (1219 × 1219 mm) is the standard drum pallet. It holds four 55-gallon drums in a 2 × 2 pattern and is also common for bulk bags and totes. Typical builds use 4 stringers and 3/4 in top decks, and weigh roughly 45 to 90 lb.
- Sizes1140 × 1140 pallet (CP3, CP8, CP9): dimensions, weight and specsA 1140 × 1140 mm pallet (44.9 × 44.9 in) is the square chemical-industry pallet, made as the CP3 (138 mm tall), CP8 and CP9 (156 mm tall). It carries drums, octabins and bulk bags, and two fit side by side inside an ISO shipping container.
- Sizes1200 × 1000 pallet: dimensions, weight and specsA 1200 × 1000 mm pallet (47.2 × 39.4 in) is the UK standard pallet and the industrial pallet in Europe and Asia. It is one of the six ISO 6780 sizes. EPAL makes it as the EPAL 2 (162 mm, about 35 kg) and EPAL 3 (144 mm, about 30 kg); CHEP's UK wooden pallet is 162 mm tall and 28 kg.
- TypesDrum pallet: 48 × 48 pallets for four 55-gallon drumsA drum pallet is a heavy-duty pallet sized to carry 55-gallon (208 L) drums, most often a 48 × 48 in (1219 × 1219 mm) square pallet holding four drums. It needs tight deckboard gaps so drum chimes cannot drop between boards, and extra stringers because four filled drums can weigh about 2,000 lb (900 kg) or more.
- IndustriesPallets for the chemical and plastics industryChemical loads (drums, pails, IBCs and 25 kg bags) need heavier, tighter-decked pallets than grocery. Europe uses the CP1 to CP9 block pallets; North America uses 48 × 48 in drum pallets, 42 × 42 and 44 × 44 in sizes and heavy 48 × 40s. Deck gaps and load type matter as much as weight.
- SizesPallet sizes in mm and cm: metric chart of all common sizesThe most common pallet sizes in metric are 1200 × 800 mm (120 × 80 cm, Euro pallet), 1200 × 1000 mm (120 × 100 cm), 1219 × 1016 mm (121.9 × 101.6 cm, the 48 × 40 in GMA pallet), 1165 × 1165 mm (Australia) and 1100 × 1100 mm (Asia). North American sizes are defined in inches and convert to odd millimetre values.
More in ISO and international sizes
- Sizes1200 × 800 pallet (Euro pallet): dimensions, weight and specsA 1200 × 800 mm pallet (47.2 × 31.5 in) is the Euro pallet, standardized as EPAL 1 / EUR 1 and one of the six ISO 6780 sizes. The EPAL 1 is 144 mm tall, weighs about 25 kg, and has a safe working load of 1,500 kg. It is the standard pallet for European retail and food logistics.
- Sizes800 × 600 pallet (half Euro pallet): dimensions, weight and specsAn 800 × 600 mm pallet (31.5 × 23.6 in) is the half Euro pallet, half of a 1200 × 800. EPAL makes two versions: the EPAL 6 (144 mm tall, 750 kg safe working load) and the EPAL 7 (163 mm tall, 500 kg), both about 9.5 kg. It is used for retail display and small loads.
- Sizes600 × 400 pallet (quarter pallet): dimensions, weight and specsA 600 × 400 mm pallet (23.6 × 15.7 in) is the European quarter pallet: a quarter of a 1200 × 800 Euro pallet. Most are plastic display pallets or wheeled dollies. CHEP's plastic quarter display pallet is 600 × 400 × 145 mm, weighs 2.2 kg and is rated 250 kg safe working load.
- Sizes1100 × 1100 pallet (T11): dimensions, weight and specsA 1100 × 1100 mm pallet (43.3 × 43.3 in) is the Asian standard pallet, known as T11. It is one of the six ISO 6780 sizes and the standard pool pallet in Japan (JIS Z 0601, 1100 × 1100 × 144 mm), and is also a national standard size in Korea and China.
- Sizes1165 × 1165 pallet (Australian standard): dimensions, weight and specsA 1165 × 1165 mm pallet (45.9 × 45.9 in) is the Australian standard pallet, defined by AS 4068 and one of the six ISO 6780 sizes. Pooled CHEP and Loscam versions are hardwood block pallets about 150 mm tall. It was sized for Australian rail containers and fits ISO containers poorly.
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 562 words.