Units and dimension conventions
Every length is stored in inches at actual size and shown in inches or millimetres. Length is the stringer or stringerboard direction and is stated first. Drawings use decimal inches or whole millimetres; parts lists use shop fractions to the nearest 1/16 in.
The designer follows the conventions of North American pallet drawings, and handles metric pallets by exact conversion. Knowing them avoids the most common specification mistakes.
Length comes first
Length (L) is the direction of the stringers on a stringer pallet, or the stringerboards on a block pallet. It is always stated first. Width (W) is the other direction, which is also the length of the top deckboards on a stringer pallet. So a 48 × 40 GMA pallet has 48 in stringers and 40 in deckboards. The field hint in the Pallet section repeats this: "Length = stringer / stringerboard direction, stated first".
For slip sheets, the two fields are labelled Load length and Load width and describe the load area, not the sheet.
See Dimension order and How to measure a pallet.
Actual sizes, not nominal
Every value is an actual dimension at manufacture, the size of the finished piece. The drawing notes say "ALL DIMENSIONS IN INCHES, ACTUAL SIZE AT MANUFACTURE." Don't enter nominal lumber sizes.
Inches and millimetres
The Units switch on the right of the toolbar changes display between in and mm. The design itself is always stored in inches, so switching back and forth never changes it.
| Where | Inches | Millimetres |
|---|---|---|
| Property fields | Decimal inches, up to 4 places | mm to 0.1 |
| Drawing dimensions | Decimal inches: 2 places, or 3 when needed (17.938) | Whole mm |
| Parts list sizes | Fractions to the nearest 1/16 in (5/8 × 3-1/2 × 40) | Whole mm |
| Spec details | Decimal with fraction in brackets, e.g. 0.625 in (5/8) | Whole mm |
| Load, ratings, beam span, caliper | lb and in only | lb and in only |
Values you type in mm are converted to inches. The number field steps change with the unit: a 1/4 in step becomes a 6 mm step, for example.
Templates for metric pallets (EUR / EPAL 1, 1200 × 1000, CP1, hygienic 1200 × 800) are defined in millimetres and open in mm. A 22 mm board is stored as 0.866 in and shown as 22 mm. Use the pallet size converter for quick conversions.
Size order in the parts list
Part sizes are listed as three numbers in a fixed order:
| Part | Order |
|---|---|
| Deckboards and stringerboards | Thickness × width × length |
| Stringers | Width × height × length |
| Blocks | Width across the stringerboard × height × length along it |
This matches how pallet shops write cut lists. The drawing's parts list heading reads "T × W × L".
Top, bottom, front and right
The model's axes are length (x), width (y) and height (z). In the 3D toolbar and on the drawing:
- Top looks down on the top deck.
- Front looks at the long side, so you see the stringer profile and notches.
- Right looks at the end, so you see the stringer or block cross-sections.
- Bottom (drawing only) looks up at the bottom deck.
The drawing uses third-angle projection, the North American standard. See The drawing sheet.
Weights and loads
Load weights, ratings and estimated pallet weights are in pounds. The estimated weight appears in the status bar as "≈59 lb" and is an estimate. See Parts list and board feet.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 48 × 40 pallet the same as 40 × 48?
It is the same footprint, but the order carries meaning. By North American convention the first number is the stringer length, so 48 × 40 has 48 in stringers and 40 in deckboards.
Does switching to mm change my design?
No. The design is stored in inches, and the units switch only changes how values are shown and typed. Values typed in mm are converted to inches when you enter them.
Should I enter nominal lumber sizes like 2 × 4?
No. Enter actual sizes. A nominal 2 × 4 is about 1-1/2 × 3-1/2 in, and pallet stock is often cut to other actual sizes such as 1-3/8 in.
Related
- GlossaryDimension order (pallet sizes)Dimension order is the convention for stating pallet sizes. In North America the first number is the length, meaning the stringer or stringerboard length, then width, then height: a 48 × 40 pallet has 48 in stringers.
- GlossaryActual dimension (pallet and lumber)An actual dimension is the measured size of a pallet or component at manufacture. Pallet spec sheets state component sizes as actual dimensions, for example a 5/8 × 3-1/2 × 40 in deckboard.
- GlossaryNominal dimension (pallet and lumber)A nominal dimension is the named or trade size of a pallet or piece of lumber, such as a 48 × 40 pallet or a 2×4, rather than its measured size. Lumber nominal sizes are larger than actual: a 2×4 is 1-1/2 × 3-1/2 in.
- GuidesHow to measure a pallet: length, width, height and every boardMeasure the stringer (or stringerboard) direction first and call it length, then the deckboard length as width, then overall height from floor to top deck. A 48 × 40 pallet is 48 in along the stringers. For a quote, also record every board's actual size, count and position, and the notch and opening sizes.
- CalculatorsPallet size converterConvert pallet dimensions between inches, millimetres, centimetres and feet, and find the nearest standard pallet size.
- 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 Using the designer
- DocsGetting started with the pallet designerOpen a template, edit its properties in the inspector, clear any errors in the Checks tab, then switch to the Drawing tab for an ANSI B sheet. From there you can share a link, print, or request a quote. No account is needed and the designer is free.
- DocsPallet templates in the designerThe designer ships with 21 templates across eight pallet types: 7 wood stringer, 4 wood block, 4 plastic, 2 metal, and one each for presswood, paper, slip sheet and anything else. Each opens as a complete, valid design you can edit.
- DocsThe designer interface and keyboard shortcutsThe designer has a top bar (name, Model and Drawing tabs, Share, Print drawing, Request quote), a toolbar for views and display modes, a Browser panel listing parts and templates, a 3D viewport, an inspector with Properties, Checks and Parts tabs, and a status bar.
- DocsDesigning wood stringer palletsWood stringer pallets are modeled board by board. You set the build (pallet, skid or plastic lumber), wings, top and bottom deckboard count, thickness and widths, stringer count and size, optional 4-way notches, lumber and fasteners. Deckboards are spaced evenly with flush ends.
- DocsDesigning wood block palletsBlock pallets are modeled as 9 blocks in a 3 × 3 grid under 3 stringerboards, with a top deck and a perimeter, cruciform or 3-board bottom. You set deckboard direction, board counts and widths, block sizes and material, and whether the pallet is Euro-size or EPAL-licensed.
- DocsPlastic, metal, presswood, paper and slip sheetsBesides wood, the designer covers molded plastic (by requirements and archetype), metal, presswood (by load grade), paper and honeycomb, slip sheets (material, caliper, tabs) and an Anything else type. Plastic, presswood and Anything else are drawn as representative geometry.
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 570 words.