Leader board gap (pallet)
Also called: lead board gap, end board gap, first gap
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.
In depth: How to use a pallet jack safely: step by step
The leader board gap is a special case of deck spacing. There is no formal definition in the Uniform Standard, but the dimension appears on every pallet drawing, and it is often the one that decides whether handling equipment fits.
Typical values
| Deck | Leader board gap |
|---|---|
| GMA-style 48 × 40 top | 3.25 in (83 mm), the same as the other gaps |
| GMA-style 48 × 40 bottom | 9.5 in (241 mm), from the 5.5 in lead board to the first interior board at 15 in |
| Drum pallet top | Kept small, like the other gaps |
The GMA-style values are calculated from the common 7-over-5 design with notches 6 to 15 in from each end.
Why it matters
On the bottom deck, the leader board gap sits under the fork entry. If it is too narrow, the bottom boards cover the notches and forks cannot enter from the side. If it is too narrow on a pallet meant for pallet jacks, the jack's load wheels land on a board instead of the floor. On the top deck, a wide leader board gap leaves the edge of the load unsupported and lets the lead board flex more under fork impact.
On a spec sheet
It is shown on the bottom and top views as the first gap dimension, and it follows from the board positions in the assembly setup data (for example bottom boards at 0, 15.00, 22.25, 29.50 and 42.50 in).
Related
- GlossaryLead board (pallet)A lead board is the outermost deckboard at each end of a pallet's top or bottom deck, where forks enter. It is usually wider than the interior deckboards, typically 5-1/2 to 6 in (140 to 152 mm).
- GlossaryDeck spacing (pallet)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.
- GlossaryWhat is a pallet notch?A notch is a cutout in the lower edge of a pallet stringer that lets forklift tines enter from the sides, making the pallet partial four-way. A typical 48 × 40 notch is 9 in long and 1-1/4 in deep, starting 6 in from each end.
- 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.
- GuidesHow to use a pallet jack safely: step by stepLower the forks, slide them fully into a pallet side with open space in the bottom deck for the load wheels, pump until the pallet just clears the floor, set the lever to neutral, and move slowly, pushing where you can. Lower fully and pull straight out. Most manual jacks are rated about 5,000 to 5,500 lb.
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 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.
- 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.
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 254 words.