48 × 45 pallet: dimensions, weight and specs
A 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.
- Type
- Wood stringer
- Footprint
- 48.00 × 45.00 in
- Height
- 4.75 in
- Lumber
- 14.6 bd ft
- Est. weight
- 64 lb (29 kg)
- Fasteners
- 84
Every dimension is editable. Get the drawing free, or request a quote.
Dimensions
| Inches | 48 × 45 in |
|---|---|
| Millimetres | 1219 × 1143 mm |
| Centimetres | 121.9 × 114.3 cm |
| Feet | 4 × 3.75 ft |
| Footprint area | 15.00 sq ft (1.394 m²) |
Pallets per floor (single stacked)
| Equipment | Straight | Turned | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53 ft dry van | 26 | 28 | 28 |
| 48 ft dry van | 22 | 24 | 24 |
| 26 ft box truck | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| 20 ft container | 8 | 5 | 8 |
| 40 ft container | 18 | 10 | 18 |
| 45 ft high cube | 22 | 11 | 22 |
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 × 45 in pallet (1219 × 1143 mm) is the standard automotive pallet size in North America. It carries parts, sub-assemblies and returnable containers between suppliers and assembly plants. Industry lists usually rank it seventh among North American sizes.
What are the dimensions of a 48 × 45 pallet?
A 48 × 45 pallet is 48 in (1219 mm) long and 45 in (1143 mm) wide. In a wood stringer pallet the 48 in side is the stringer length and the 45 in side is the deckboard length. Overall height is usually about 4.75 to 5.5 in (121 to 140 mm) in wood; plastic models vary.
Typical builds at 48 × 45
Automotive programs use both expendable wood pallets and returnable plastic ones.
| Build | Typical spec |
|---|---|
| Wood stringer | 7 top boards (2 × 5-1/2 in + 5 × 3-1/2 in), 5 bottom boards, 5/8 in thick, 45 in long; 3 notched stringers 1-3/8 × 3-1/2 × 48 in |
| Wood block | Full 4-way with 9 blocks, often for automated plants |
| Plastic | Rackable or stackable molded pallets, often part of a returnable container system |
Longer deckboards (45 in) span more between stringers than on a 48 × 40, so heavy part loads may need 3/4 in top boards or a fourth stringer. Start from the GMA template and set the width to 45 in in the designer.
How much does a 48 × 45 pallet weigh?
A wood build as above uses about 14.6 board feet. Estimated weight is about 31 lb (14 kg) in dry softwood, about 42 lb (19 kg) in kiln-dried hardwood and up to about 64 lb (29 kg) in green hardwood. Plastic 48 × 45 pallets range widely by model and reinforcement; take the weight from the maker's data sheet. See pallet weight.
How much weight can a 48 × 45 pallet hold?
There is no single capacity. Get static, dynamic and racked ratings from the manufacturer for your load and support condition. For wood, that usually means a PDS analysis or ASTM D1185 testing. For plastic, compare the maker's rated static, dynamic and edge-racking figures, which are measured differently by different makers. See pallet load capacity.
Who uses 48 × 45 pallets?
- Automotive OEMs and tier suppliers: parts, stampings, castings, and returnable bins and totes. See automotive.
- Closed-loop plastic programs: 48 × 45 is one of the common plastic pallet footprints. See plastic pallet sizes.
Automotive packaging is usually governed by each OEM's own packaging manual, and many reference AIAG guidelines. The OEM spec overrides any general size guide.
Fit in trucks and containers
Loaded straight, 48 × 45 pallets fit two across (90 in) and 13 rows deep in a 53 ft trailer, the same 26 positions as a 48 × 40. Turned, the 45 in rows fit about 14 deep for 28 positions. The table above lists the counts, and the pallets per truck calculator handles mixed loads.
Related sizes
- 48 × 40: the GMA standard.
- 48 × 42: chemicals and beverages.
- 48 × 48: drums.
- 1200 × 1000 and 1140 × 1140: metric sizes used by European and global automotive and chemical shippers.
Specifying a 48 × 45 pallet for a quote
- Size with stringer length first (48 × 45), and the OEM packaging spec if there is one.
- Material and program: expendable wood or returnable plastic.
- For wood: deckboards, stringers or blocks, species, moisture, fasteners.
- For plastic: rackable or stackable, deck style, weight and ratings required.
- Load weight and type, stacking and racking conditions, automation requirements.
- ISPM 15 for wood that is exported.
The RFQ checklist lists the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the automotive industry use 48x45 pallets?
The size matches the returnable containers and packaging used in automotive supply chains, and it is widely referenced alongside AIAG packaging guidelines. Check your OEM's packaging spec, which sets the footprint for each part.
How much does a 48x45 pallet weigh?
A wood 48 × 45 built like a GMA pallet uses about 14.6 board feet, so roughly 31 lb in dry softwood up to about 64 lb in green hardwood (estimates). Plastic 48 × 45 pallets vary by model.
How many 48x45 pallets fit in a 53 ft trailer?
Loaded straight, two across and 13 deep, 26 fit single-stacked, the same as 48 × 40. Turned, two 48 in sides take 96 in across and rows are 45 in deep, so about 28 fit. See the computed table on this page.
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 × 42 pallet: dimensions, weight and specsA 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.
- IndustriesPallets for the automotive industryAutomotive supply chains run on returnable plastic pallets, bulk containers and steel racks that cycle between suppliers and plants. OEM packaging guidelines set the footprints; 48 × 45 in is a common automotive size in North America. One-way wood pallets and ISPM 15 crates cover service parts and export.
- TypesPlastic pallets: types, materials, load ratings and how to buy themA plastic pallet is a molded or fabricated pallet made from HDPE or polypropylene. Types range from light nestable pallets (about 14–30 lb) to reinforced rackable pallets (about 35–70 lb). They are washable, ISPM 15 exempt and long-lived, cost several times more than wood, and carry three separate load ratings.
- SizesPlastic pallet sizes: standard dimensions and weightsPlastic pallets come in the same footprints as wood: 48 × 40 in dominates in North America, plus 48 × 45, 48 × 48, 42 × 42 and 45 × 45 in, and 1200 × 800, 1200 × 1000 and 1100 × 1100 mm elsewhere. Most are 5 to 6.5 in tall and weigh about 14 to 70 lb.
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. 632 words.