48 × 42 pallet: dimensions, weight and specs
A 48 × 42 in pallet (1219 × 1067 mm) is a North American size used mainly for chemicals and beverages. It is built like a GMA pallet with 42 in deckboards: typically 3 notched stringers, 7 top and 5 bottom boards, about 4.75 to 5 in tall.
- Type
- Wood stringer
- Footprint
- 48.00 × 42.00 in
- Height
- 4.75 in
- Lumber
- 13.9 bd ft
- Est. weight
- 61 lb (28 kg)
- Fasteners
- 84
Every dimension is editable. Get the drawing free, or request a quote.
Dimensions
| Inches | 48 × 42 in |
|---|---|
| Millimetres | 1219 × 1067 mm |
| Centimetres | 121.9 × 106.7 cm |
| Feet | 4 × 3.5 ft |
| Footprint area | 14.00 sq ft (1.301 m²) |
Pallets per floor (single stacked)
| Equipment | Straight | Turned | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53 ft dry van | 26 | 30 | 30 |
| 48 ft dry van | 22 | 26 | 26 |
| 26 ft box truck | 12 | 14 | 14 |
| 20 ft container | 8 | 5 | 9 |
| 40 ft container | 18 | 11 | 20 |
| 45 ft high cube | 22 | 12 | 23 |
Straight = length along the trailer. Floor positions only, with no gaps for load bars or overhang. Weight often limits first. Open the calculator
The 48 × 42 in pallet (1219 × 1067 mm) is a North American size used mainly by the chemical and beverage industries. It keeps the 48 in stringer length of the 48 × 40 and adds 2 in of deck width. Industry lists usually rank it fifth among North American sizes.
What are the dimensions of a 48 × 42 pallet?
A 48 × 42 pallet is 48 in (1219 mm) long and 42 in (1067 mm) wide. The 48 in side is the stringer length and the 42 in side is the deckboard length. Overall height is usually about 4.75 to 5 in (121 to 127 mm) for a stringer build.
Typical build at 48 × 42
Most 48 × 42 pallets are GMA-style stringer pallets with longer deckboards.
| Component | Typical spec |
|---|---|
| Top deckboards | 7 boards: 2 × 5-1/2 in leads + 5 × 3-1/2 in, 5/8 in thick, 42 in long |
| Bottom deckboards | 5 boards, same widths |
| Stringers | 3 × 1-3/8 × 3-1/2 × 48 in, notched for partial 4-way entry |
| Overall height | 4.75 in with 5/8 in decks |
Heavier chemical loads often move to 3/4 in top boards, more boards or a fourth stringer. You can start from the GMA template and change the width to 42 in in the designer.
How much does a 48 × 42 pallet weigh?
The build above has about 13.9 board feet. Estimated weight is about 30 lb (14 kg) in dry softwood, about 40 lb (18 kg) in kiln-dried hardwood and up to about 61 lb (28 kg) in green hardwood. See pallet weight for how species and moisture move the number.
How much weight can a 48 × 42 pallet hold?
The rating depends on the design and the support condition. The extra 2 in of deckboard length adds a little span between stringers compared with a 48 × 40, so the same boards deflect slightly more. Get static, dynamic and racked ratings from the manufacturer, based on a PDS analysis or ASTM D1185 test, for your actual load type (bags, pails, drums, cases). See pallet load capacity.
Who uses 48 × 42 pallets?
- Chemicals: pails, bags and some drum and tote loads. See chemicals.
- Beverages: some case and keg loads are sized for 42 in. See beverage.
It is a specified size, not a pooled one: CHEP and PECO pool 48 × 40, so 48 × 42 pallets are usually bought new (white wood) or recycled from the same supply chain.
Fit in trucks and containers
Two 48 × 42 pallets across a trailer take 84 in loaded straight. Turned, two take 96 in across, which fits a 53 ft dry van but not an ISO container. The table above shows the counts. Use the pallets per truck calculator for mixed loads.
Related sizes
- 48 × 40: the GMA standard.
- 48 × 45: automotive.
- 42 × 42: square, for paint and telecom.
- 1200 × 1000: the closest metric size.
Specifying a 48 × 42 pallet for a quote
- Size with stringer length first: 48 × 42.
- Deckboard count, widths and thickness, top and bottom.
- Stringer count, size and notch spec.
- Species, new or recycled, moisture.
- Load weight and type, stacking and racking conditions.
- ISPM 15 heat treatment if exported.
See the RFQ checklist for the complete field list.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 48x42 pallet the same as a 42x48?
It is the same footprint. By North American convention 48 × 42 means 48 in stringers and 42 in deckboards. If a spec says 42 × 48, confirm which way the stringers run.
How much does a 48x42 pallet weigh?
A GMA-style build with 42 in deckboards uses about 14 board feet, so it weighs roughly 30 lb in dry softwood up to about 60 lb in green hardwood (estimates).
Can I use a 48x40 pallet instead of 48x42?
Only if the load fits without overhang. A load sized for 42 in will hang 1 in over each side of a 40 in pallet, which damages cases and can snag in racking.
Sources and references
Related
- SizesUS pallet sizes: the standard North American dimensionsThe standard US pallet is 48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm), the GMA pallet, used for grocery, retail and most general freight. Other common North American sizes are 42 × 42, 48 × 48, 48 × 42, 40 × 40, 48 × 45, 44 × 44, 36 × 36 and 48 × 36 in, each tied to particular industries.
- Sizes48 × 40 pallet (GMA): dimensions, weight and specsA 48 × 40 in pallet (1219 × 1016 mm) is the North American standard, also called the GMA pallet. The typical build is a partial 4-way stringer pallet about 4.75 in tall with 7 top and 5 bottom deckboards on 3 notched stringers. Pooled 48 × 40 block pallets (CHEP, PECO) share the same footprint.
- Sizes48 × 45 pallet: dimensions, weight and specsA 48 × 45 in pallet (1219 × 1143 mm) is the North American automotive size, used for parts shipments and returnable containers. Wood versions are built like a GMA pallet with 45 in deckboards; plastic 48 × 45 pallets are common in closed automotive loops.
- TypesStringer pallet: construction, dimensions and when to use oneA stringer pallet is a wooden pallet whose deckboards are nailed across two or more continuous beams called stringers, usually three on a 48 × 40 in pallet. It is 2-way entry, or partial 4-way when the stringers are notched. It is the most common and cheapest pallet design in North America.
- 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.
- IndustriesPallets for beverages: water, soft drinks, beer and spiritsA pallet of bottled water commonly weighs 2,100 to 2,500 lb, and canned drinks and beer 1,500 to 2,200 lb. Most North American beverage loads ship on 48 × 40 in pooled or GMA-style pallets, plus 48 × 20 in half pallets for store delivery. Stiff decks, tier sheets and good wrap prevent crushed loads.
- GuidesHow much does a pallet weigh? Weights by type, material and moistureA standard 48 × 40 wood stringer pallet weighs about 30 to 60 lb (14 to 27 kg). New green hardwood pallets sit at the top of that range and dry ones near the bottom. A EUR pallet weighs about 25 kg (55 lb), pooled 48 × 40 block pallets about 60 to 70 lb, and plastic pallets 14 to 70 lb depending on type.
More in North American sizes
- Sizes42 × 42 pallet: dimensions, weight and specsA 42 × 42 in pallet (1067 × 1067 mm) is a square pallet used mainly for paint and coatings, telecom equipment and chemicals. It is one of the six ISO 6780 footprints. The usual build is a 3-stringer wood pallet about 4.75 to 5 in tall.
- 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.
- Sizes40 × 40 pallet: dimensions, weight and specsA 40 × 40 in pallet (1016 × 1016 mm) is a square North American size associated with the dairy industry. It is usually a 3-stringer wood pallet about 4.75 in tall, weighing roughly 27 to 56 lb depending on species and moisture.
- Sizes44 × 44 pallet: dimensions, weight and specsA 44 × 44 in pallet (1118 × 1118 mm) is a square North American size used for drums, bulk bags (FIBCs) and chemicals. It fits two across an ISO shipping container, which a 48 × 48 does not. Typical wood builds are 3 or 4 stringers, about 4.75 to 5 in tall.
- Sizes36 × 36 pallet: dimensions, weight and specsA 36 × 36 in pallet (914 × 914 mm) is a small square North American pallet used mainly in beverage distribution and for compact loads. A typical build has 5 top and 3 bottom deckboards on 3 stringers, about 4.75 in tall, and weighs roughly 20 to 41 lb.
- Sizes48 × 36 pallet: dimensions, weight and specsA 48 × 36 in pallet (1219 × 914 mm) is a North American size used for beverages, roofing shingles and packaged paper. It is usually a 3-stringer wood pallet with 36 in deckboards, about 4.75 in tall and roughly 27 to 56 lb.
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 587 words.