Deck spacing (pallet)
Also called: deckboard spacing, board gap, deck gap
Deck spacing is the gap between adjacent deckboards on a pallet deck. With the end boards flush, gap = (deck length − total board width) ÷ (boards − 1); a GMA-style 48 × 40 top deck has 3-1/4 in (83 mm) gaps.
In depth: Deckboard thickness and spacing: how to lay out a pallet deck
Deck spacing is how far apart the deckboards are. It is the flip side of deck coverage: more space means less wood, lower cost and lower weight, but less support under the load.
How to calculate it
For a deck with both lead boards flush with the ends and interior boards equally spaced:
gap = (deck length − sum of board widths) ÷ (number of boards − 1)
GMA-style top deck: (48 − 2 × 5.5 − 5 × 3.5) ÷ 6 = 19.5 ÷ 6 = 3.25 in (83 mm).
Typical values
| Deck | Gap |
|---|---|
| GMA-style 48 × 40 top (7 boards) | 3.25 in (83 mm) |
| GMA-style bottom, between interior boards | 3.75 in (95 mm) |
| GMA-style bottom, lead board to first interior | 9.5 in (241 mm), over the notch |
| Drum pallets | Small gaps so drum rims cannot drop through; vendors cite under about 0.8 in (20 mm) |
| Solid deck | 0 |
Why it matters
Wide gaps let small cartons, bag corners and drum chimes sag into the deck, and they concentrate load on fewer boards. Narrow gaps cost more lumber and nails. Bottom-deck spacing also has to clear notches and leave room for pallet-jack wheels. See deckboard thickness and spacing.
On a spec sheet
Spacing is usually stated as a rule ("endboards flush, interior boards equally spaced" or "interior cluster equally spaced") and shown as dimensions on the top and bottom views. Production orders list each board's leading-edge position from the pallet end, for example 0, 8.75, 15.50 … 42.50 in.
Related
- 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%.
- GlossaryWhat is a pallet deckboard?A deckboard is a board in the top or bottom deck of a pallet that runs perpendicular to the stringers or stringerboards. It is specified by actual thickness × width × length, for example 5/8 × 3-1/2 × 40 in.
- GlossaryLeader board gap (pallet)The leader board gap is the space between a lead board (the outermost deckboard) and the next deckboard inward. On a bottom deck it is often wider than the other gaps to clear stringer notches and let pallet-jack wheels reach the floor.
- GuidesDeckboard thickness and spacing: how to lay out a pallet deckPallet deckboards are usually 1/2 to 7/8 in (13 to 22 mm) thick and 3-1/2 to 6 in wide. Gaps are set by the board count: with ends flush, gap = (pallet length minus total board width) ÷ (boards minus 1). A GMA-style 48 × 40 has 7 top boards 5/8 in thick with 3-1/4 in gaps. Stiffness rises with the cube of thickness.
- TypesDrum pallet: 48 × 48 pallets for four 55-gallon drumsA drum pallet is a heavy-duty pallet sized to carry 55-gallon (208 L) drums, most often a 48 × 48 in (1219 × 1219 mm) square pallet holding four drums. It needs tight deckboard gaps so drum chimes cannot drop between boards, and extra stringers because four filled drums can weigh about 2,000 lb (900 kg) or more.
- 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.
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.
- GlossaryBlock (pallet)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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 273 words.