Block (pallet)
Also called: pallet block, spacer block, foot
A block is a rectangular, square or cylindrical spacer between the decks of a block pallet. Most block pallets have 9 blocks in a 3 × 3 grid, and the block height sets the fork entry height.
In depth: Block pallet: construction, dimensions and uses
Blocks do the job on a block pallet that stringers do on a stringer pallet: they hold the top deck up so forks can enter. Because blocks leave gaps on every side, a block pallet is four-way entry for forklifts and, with the right bottom deck, for pallet jacks too.
Typical sizes
| Pallet | Blocks |
|---|---|
| EPAL 1 (1200 × 800 mm) | 9 blocks, 78 mm tall: 145 × 100 mm and 145 × 145 mm |
| PDS metric example | 9 × 95 × 95 × 145 mm |
| North American 48 × 40 block | Often about 3-1/2 in (89 mm) tall; plan sizes vary by design |
Materials
| Material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Solid lumber | Cut from cants; can split along the grain |
| Laminated (glued or nailed layers) | Less splitting |
| Composite block (presswood) | Molded wood fiber; exempt from ISPM 15 as processed wood |
| Plastic | Used on some hybrid and plastic designs |
Why it matters
Block height sets entry height. Block plan size sets how much fastening surface is available: the Uniform Standard (2012) asks for at least 3 fasteners at a corner block, 2 at an interior block, and at least one per 8 in² (52 cm²) of fastening surface. Grain direction matters too, because nails driven into side grain hold better than nails driven into end grain.
On a spec sheet
Listed as type, grain orientation (for example "sidegrain nailing"), then count, width, height, length. PDS 5.7 and later draw blocks as W × L × H, so check which order a drawing uses.
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.
- GlossaryCorner block (block pallet)A corner block is one of the four blocks at the corners of a block pallet. Corner blocks take the most fork and pallet-jack impact, so the Uniform Standard requires more fasteners there than at interior blocks.
- GlossaryCenter block (block pallet)The center block is the middle block in the 3 × 3 grid of a nine-block pallet. It supports the middle of the deck and, on EPAL pallets, carries the producer, date and treatment marks.
- GlossaryComposite block (pallet)A composite block is a pallet block made from wood chips, particles or fibers bonded with resin under heat and pressure. It does not split like solid wood and, as processed wood, is exempt from ISPM 15 on its own.
- 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.
- 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.
More in Components and construction
- 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.
- GlossaryBottom deck (pallet)The bottom deck is the lower layer of deckboards (or a perimeter, runner or panel base) on a double-face pallet. It spreads the load onto the floor, rack or conveyor and stabilizes the stringers or blocks.
- GlossaryBottom deck coverage (pallet)Bottom deck coverage is the percentage of a pallet's underside covered by bottom deckboards. A GMA-style 48 × 40 bottom deck covers about 45%, less than the top deck, to leave room for notches and pallet-jack wheels.
- GlossaryChamfer (pallet)A chamfer is a bevel cut along the edge of a bottom deckboard, usually a lead board, so pallet-jack wheels can ride up and over it instead of hitting a square edge.
- GlossaryCross-board (pallet)A cross-board is a board that runs at right angles to the main deckboards of a pallet. The term is informal: it usually means a block pallet's stringerboard, or the center boards of a cruciform bottom deck.
- GlossaryDeck coverage (pallet)Deck coverage is the percentage of a pallet deck's area that is covered by deckboards. A GMA-style 48 × 40 top deck covers about 59%; a solid deck covers 100%.
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 281 words.