What is a pallet stringer?
Also called: runner, beam
A stringer is the continuous beam that runs the full length of a stringer pallet between the top and bottom decks. Most 48 × 40 pallets use 3 stringers about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 in wide and 3-1/2 in (89 mm) tall.
In depth: Stringer pallet: construction, dimensions and when to use one
A stringer is the backbone of a stringer pallet. The deckboards of the top deck and bottom deck are nailed across it, and the space between stringers is the fork entry. Its length is the pallet length, which is why the North American convention states it first: a 48 × 40 pallet has 48 in stringers.
Typical sizes
| Build | Width × height | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood, GMA-style | 1-3/8 × 3-1/2 in | 35 × 89 mm |
| Hardwood, lighter | 1-1/4 × 3-1/2 in | 32 × 89 mm |
| Softwood 2×4 (SYP, SPF) | 1-1/2 × 3-1/2 in | 38 × 89 mm |
| Heavy duty | 1-3/4 × 3-3/4 in | 44 × 95 mm |
Outer stringers sit flush with the pallet edges. Interior stringers are usually equally spaced, so on a 48 × 40 with three 1-3/8 in stringers the clear bays are 17.94 in (456 mm).
Why it matters
The stringers carry the load to the floor, forks or rack beams. When a pallet is racked across its length, the center stringer is often the critical member. Stringer height sets the entry height, and notches cut into the bottom edge make the pallet partial four-way at the cost of some strength.
On a spec sheet
Stringers are listed as count, width, height, length (for example "3 1.375 3.500 48.00"), followed by the notch depth, length, location and radius, and the lumber species and grade.
Common confusions
"Runner" is sometimes used for a stringer, especially on skids. A stringerboard is a different part used on block pallets.
Frequently asked questions
How many stringers does a pallet have?
Most 48 × 40 stringer pallets have 3. Narrow pallets such as 48 × 20 half pallets use 2, and heavy or wide pallets use 4 or more. PDS models up to 18.
What size are pallet stringers?
Hardwood stringers are commonly 1-1/4 or 1-3/8 × 3-1/2 in. Softwood stringers are often 2×4 lumber, which is actually 1-1/2 × 3-1/2 in (38 × 89 mm). Heavy-duty designs go to 1-3/4 × 3-3/4 in or larger.
Is a stringer the same as a stringerboard?
No. A stringer is a beam on a stringer pallet. A stringerboard is a thin board on a block pallet that sits between the deckboards and the blocks.
Why are pallet stringers notched?
Two notches cut into the bottom edge of each stringer let fork tines enter from the sides, which makes the pallet partial 4-way.
Related
- TypesStringer pallet: construction, dimensions and when to use oneA stringer pallet is a wooden pallet whose deckboards are nailed across two or more continuous beams called stringers, usually three on a 48 × 40 in pallet. It is 2-way entry, or partial 4-way when the stringers are notched. It is the most common and cheapest pallet design in North America.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- GuidesParts of a pallet: deckboards, stringers, blocks and fastenersA wood stringer pallet has top deckboards, stringers (often notched) and bottom deckboards, joined with nails. A block pallet swaps the stringers for 9 blocks and 3 stringerboards. The outermost deckboards are lead boards. Openings between the deck layers take the forks.
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.