Designing wood block pallets
Block 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.
- Type
- Wood block
- Footprint
- 48.00 × 40.00 in
- Height
- 5.50 in
- Lumber
- 15.5 bd ft
- Est. weight
- 68 lb (31 kg)
- Fasteners
- 92
Every dimension is editable. Get the drawing free, or request a quote.
A block pallet stands on blocks instead of full-length stringers, so forks and pallet jacks can enter from all four sides. The designer models the common construction: 9 blocks in a 3 × 3 grid, 3 stringerboards on top of the blocks, a top deck nailed to the stringerboards, and a bottom deck under the blocks.
Start from the 48 × 40 block template for North American pallets, or EUR / EPAL 1, 1200 × 1000 perimeter or CP1 for metric pallets.
Layout
| Field | Options | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Top boards along | Width, Length | The direction the top deckboards run. Width is the North American convention: stringerboards run along the length. Length is the EPAL arrangement. |
| Bottom | Perimeter, Cruciform, 3 boards | The bottom deck style. |
| EUR / EPAL | Not a Euro pallet; Euro-size (any shop can build); EPAL-licensed (marked) | Adds EPAL notes and checks. |
The three bottom styles:
- Perimeter: boards run both ways around the edge, forming a frame under the outer blocks. This is the perimeter base used by pooled 48 × 40 block pallets and 1200 × 1000 pallets. It is stable on conveyors and in racking in either direction.
- Cruciform: a perimeter frame plus a centre board in each direction, forming a cross under the middle blocks.
- 3 boards: three parallel bottom boards under the three block rows, with no side boards. EUR / EPAL 1 and CP1 use this.
Top deck
Set the board count, Thickness, Lead width and Interior width. Centre board width is optional: when set on a pallet with an odd number of boards, the middle board uses that width. EPAL 1 uses a 145 mm centre board between 100 mm interior boards.
As on stringer pallets, the lead boards sit flush with the ends and the others are spaced with equal gaps. If they don't fit, the Checks tab shows "Top deckboards overlap. Reduce the count or the widths."
Stringerboards and blocks
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Stringerboard width, thick. | Size of the 3 boards between blocks and top deck. They are centred on the block columns. |
| Block length | Block size along the stringerboard. |
| Block width | Block size across the stringerboard. |
| Block height | Sets most of the fork entry height. |
| Middle-row length | Optional. A longer size for the three centre blocks, as on EPAL 1 (145 mm against 100 mm corner blocks). |
| Block material | Solid wood, Laminated wood, Composite / presswood (ISPM-exempt) |
The designer warns when stringerboards are more than 1 in wider than the blocks under them. Composite blocks are molded wood fiber. They are exempt from ISPM 15, but the solid-wood deckboards still need heat treatment for export, and the Checks tab says so.
Bottom deck
Set Thickness, Outer board width (the boards along each edge) and Centre board width (the middle board on 3-board and cruciform bottoms).
EUR and EPAL settings
Euro-size is a pallet at EUR dimensions that any shop can build without the EPAL mark. EPAL-licensed means it must be built and marked by an EPAL licensee to the EPAL drawing. With EPAL-licensed selected, the designer blocks footprints other than 1200 × 800 or 1200 × 1000 mm. For either option, the Checks tab notes that the EPAL drawing specifies 78 nails with EPAL-approved heads, so the designer's own fastener count is a guide. See EPAL and Euro pallet.
Lumber and fasteners
The Lumber & fasteners section is the same as for stringer pallets: species, moisture, grade, manufacture, fastener type, length, wire gauge and fasteners per joint. See Designing wood stringer pallets.
Block pallet fastener counts include the nails that attach the top deckboards to the stringerboards (by board width, per stringerboard) plus the nails through the blocks top and bottom: 3 per corner block and 2 per other block. The method is in Parts list and board feet.
Classification
The classification string reads, for example, "48.00 x 40.00, Block-Class, Double-Face Non-Reversible, Perimeter Base, Full 4-Way, Reusable, New Manufacture". Euro-size or EPAL Licensed is appended when set. For the trade-offs between the two wood families, see Block vs stringer pallets.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the number of blocks?
No. Block pallets in the designer always use 9 blocks in a 3 × 3 grid with 3 stringerboards, which covers EUR, CP, GMA-style block and 1200 × 1000 pallets. Describe other layouts with the Anything else type.
What is the difference between Euro-size and EPAL-licensed?
Euro-size is a 1200 × 800 mm block pallet built by any shop, without the EPAL mark. EPAL-licensed means an EPAL licensee builds and marks it to the EPAL drawing, which only licensed producers can do.
Why is ISPM 15 set to required when I switch to block?
Switching the type loads the EUR / EPAL 1 template, which is set up for export. Change Export (ISPM-15) to Domestic only in Compliance & marking if you don't need heat treatment.
Related
- TypesBlock pallet: construction, dimensions and usesA block pallet is a wooden pallet whose deck sits on blocks, usually nine arranged 3 × 3, joined by stringerboards. The gaps between blocks give full 4-way entry for both forklifts and pallet jacks. EUR/EPAL, CP and the pooled 48 × 40 in pallets of CHEP and PECO are all block pallets.
- TypesEuro pallet (EUR / EPAL 1): dimensions, weight and constructionThe Euro pallet (EUR or EPAL 1) is a licensed European block pallet measuring 1200 × 800 × 144 mm (47.2 × 31.5 × 5.7 in). It weighs about 25 kg (55 lb), has 11 boards, 9 blocks and 78 nails, and carries a safe working load of 1,500 kg (3,307 lb). Only EPAL licensees may build and mark it.
- TypesCP pallets (CP1 to CP9): dimensions, construction and usesCP pallets are nine standardised wooden block pallets (CP1 to CP9) designed for the European chemical and plastics industry. They range from 760 × 1140 mm to 1300 × 1100 mm. CP1 to CP5 are 138 mm (5.4 in) high with bottom boards in one direction; CP6 to CP9 are 156 mm (6.1 in) high with perimeter or full-frame bottoms.
- GlossaryStringerboard (block pallet)A stringerboard is a continuous board on a block pallet that runs the full pallet length between the deckboards and the blocks, tying the blocks together. EPAL 1 uses three stringerboards of 22 × 145 × 800 mm.
- GlossaryPerimeter base (block pallet)A perimeter base is a block-pallet bottom deck made of boards running around all four edges, like a picture frame, which gives full four-way entry for forklifts and pallet jacks.
- ComparisonsBlock vs stringer pallets: differences and when to use eachChoose a stringer pallet when you want the lowest cost, one-way or closed-loop use and mostly 2-way handling. Choose a block pallet when you need true 4-way entry for forklifts and pallet jacks, heavy reuse, pooling, automation or the European 1200 × 800 footprint.
- TypesBlock pallet: construction, dimensions and usesA block pallet is a wooden pallet whose deck sits on blocks, usually nine arranged 3 × 3, joined by stringerboards. The gaps between blocks give full 4-way entry for both forklifts and pallet jacks. EUR/EPAL, CP and the pooled 48 × 40 in pallets of CHEP and PECO are all block pallets.
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.
- 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.
- DocsUnits and dimension conventionsEvery 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.
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 716 words.