Wing (winged pallet)
Also called: overhang, lip, winged deck
A wing is the part of a pallet deck that overhangs the outer stringers or stringerboards. A single-wing pallet has only the top deck overhanging; a double-wing pallet has both decks overhanging.
In depth: Winged pallet: single-wing and double-wing construction
On a flush pallet the deckboards end at the outside faces of the stringers. On a winged pallet they run past them. The overhang distance is the wing, recorded by PDS as a field such as "Wing: 0.00" (flush) or "Wing: 2.00".
Types
| Type | Top deck | Bottom deck |
|---|---|---|
| Flush | Flush | Flush |
| Single-wing | Overhangs | Flush |
| Double-wing | Overhangs | Overhangs |
Some web glossaries use "double-wing" to mean wings on two opposite sides, so define the term on your RFQ.
Typical values
The overhang is usually a few inches. The pallet.design winged template uses 2 in (51 mm) on a 48 × 40 with 3/4 in deckboards. No standard range has been published, so treat 1 to 4 in (25 to 100 mm) as a working estimate and confirm with the manufacturer.
Why it is used
Wings let bar slings or crane hooks lift the pallet from under the top deck, outside the stringers. This is the classic use for bagged cement, fertilizer, feed and seed. Wings also give stretch film and straps an edge to grip. Winged stringer pallets are normally two-way. Bottom wings make pallet-jack entry and floor-level strapping harder.
On a spec sheet
State the wing style, the overhang per side, which sides are winged (usually the deckboard ends), and whether the pallet will be sling-lifted, because sling lifting loads the overhang in bending and usually calls for thicker deckboards.
Related
- TypesWinged pallet: single-wing and double-wing constructionA winged pallet is a stringer pallet whose deckboards extend past the outer stringers, typically by 1 to 4 in (25–100 mm). On a single-wing pallet only the top deck overhangs; on a double-wing pallet both decks do. Wings give a larger deck, a grip edge for straps and room for bar slings to lift the load.
- GlossaryFlush (pallet)Flush describes a pallet whose deckboards end even with the outside faces of the stringers or blocks, so no part of either deck overhangs. Most pallets are flush.
- GlossaryWhat is a pallet stringer?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.
- 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.
- TypesWinged pallet: single-wing and double-wing constructionA winged pallet is a stringer pallet whose deckboards extend past the outer stringers, typically by 1 to 4 in (25–100 mm). On a single-wing pallet only the top deck overhangs; on a double-wing pallet both decks do. Wings give a larger deck, a grip edge for straps and room for bar slings to lift the load.
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. 250 words.