ISO pallet sizes: the six ISO 6780 footprints
ISO 6780 lists six standard pallet footprints: 1200 × 800 mm (Europe), 1200 × 1000 mm (Europe, Asia), 1219 × 1016 mm or 48 × 40 in (North America), 1165 × 1165 mm (Australia), 1067 × 1067 mm or 42 × 42 in (North America, Europe, Asia) and 1100 × 1100 mm (Asia). There is no single world pallet size.
ISO 6780 (Flat pallets for intercontinental materials handling: principal dimensions and tolerances) lists six pallet footprints. Each one is the main pallet in at least one region. The standard does not pick a single world pallet: it recognizes the sizes that regional supply chains were already built around, so that shippers can plan intercontinental loads.
The six ISO pallet sizes
| Size (mm) | Size (in) | Main region | Common name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200 × 800 | 47.2 × 31.5 | Europe | Euro pallet, EPAL 1 |
| 1200 × 1000 | 47.2 × 39.4 | Europe, UK, Asia | Industrial pallet, UK standard, EPAL 2 and 3 |
| 1219 × 1016 | 48 × 40 | North America | GMA pallet |
| 1165 × 1165 | 45.9 × 45.9 | Australia | Australian standard pallet |
| 1067 × 1067 | 42 × 42 | North America, Europe, Asia | Square pallet (paint, telecom) |
| 1100 × 1100 | 43.3 × 43.3 | Asia | T11 |
These six footprints are what people mean by an ISO pallet. The standard sets the length and width and their tolerances. It does not set height, construction, material or load rating.
Where each ISO size is used
- 1200 × 800 mm. The European standard for retail and grocery, made as the EPAL 1 Euro pallet: 144 mm tall, about 25 kg, 1,500 kg safe working load per EPAL. See European pallet sizes.
- 1200 × 1000 mm. The UK standard and Europe's industrial pallet, and one of the two Asian standards (China's national standard lists it with 1100 × 1100). See UK pallet sizes.
- 1219 × 1016 mm (48 × 40 in). The North American GMA pallet and the size of the CHEP, PECO and iGPS pools there. See US pallet sizes.
- 1165 × 1165 mm. The Australian standard, defined by AS 4068 and sized for Australian rail containers. See Australian pallet sizes.
- 1067 × 1067 mm (42 × 42 in). A square size used for paint, telecom and chemicals in North America, and less widely in Europe and Asia.
- 1100 × 1100 mm. The T11 standard in Japan (JIS Z 0601) and Korea, and one of China's two national standard sizes. See Asian pallet sizes.
Sizes that are common but not ISO
Many widely used sizes are not in ISO 6780, including:
| Size | Where used |
|---|---|
| 48 × 48 in (1219 × 1219 mm) | Drums, North America |
| 1200 × 1200 mm | Drums and bulk bags, Europe and Asia |
| 1140 × 1140 mm | CP3, CP8, CP9 chemical pallets |
| 800 × 600 mm | European half pallet |
| 600 × 400 mm | European quarter pallet |
| 48 × 20 in and 24 × 20 in | North American half and quarter display pallets |
Other North American sizes (48 × 42, 40 × 40, 48 × 45, 44 × 44, 36 × 36, 48 × 36) are covered by ANSI MH1 and industry practice rather than ISO 6780. See US pallet sizes and the full list in pallet sizes in mm.
ISO sizes and shipping containers
Standard 20 ft and 40 ft ISO containers are about 2350 mm (about 92.5 in) wide inside. How a pallet fits across that width decides how much floor is wasted:
| Pallet | Two across | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1100 × 1100 | 2200 mm | Fits with room to load |
| 1067 × 1067 | 2134 mm | Fits with room to load |
| 1200 × 1000 (1000 across) | 2000 mm | Fits; 1200 across does not |
| 1165 × 1165 | 2330 mm | Very little clearance |
| 1219 × 1016 (1016 across) | 2032 mm | Fits; turned (1219 across) does not |
| 1200 × 800 | 1600 or 2000 mm | Two with 800 across, or one each way; loaders mix orientations to cut gaps |
Each size page shows computed counts for 20 ft and 40 ft containers and for North American trailers. See pallets per container.
What ISO 6780 does not cover
- Height and construction. A 1200 × 800 pallet can be an EPAL 1, a plastic nestable pallet or a one-way pallet of any build.
- Strength. Pallet test methods and ratings are in ISO 8611. In North America, ASTM D1185 and PDS analysis are the usual basis for ratings.
- Phytosanitary treatment. Wood pallets crossing borders need ISPM 15 treatment and marking, whatever their size.
- Pools and licensing. EPAL, CHEP and other programs have their own specifications on top of the footprint.
Choosing an ISO size for export
- Use the size the destination market and your customer use.
- Check container fit, especially for 48 × 40 and 1200 × 800.
- Use ISPM 15 wood or an exempt material such as plastic, presswood or paper. See export pallet.
- Specify construction and load rating separately; the footprint alone doesn't define a pallet.
To draw a pallet at any of these sizes, open the EPAL 1, UK 1200 × 1000 or GMA 48 × 40 template in the designer and set the footprint.
Frequently asked questions
What are the six ISO pallet sizes?
1200 × 800 mm, 1200 × 1000 mm, 1219 × 1016 mm (48 × 40 in), 1165 × 1165 mm, 1067 × 1067 mm (42 × 42 in) and 1100 × 1100 mm, as listed in ISO 6780:2003.
Is there one international standard pallet size?
No. ISO 6780 recognizes six footprints because different regions had already built their supply chains around different sizes. Use the size your destination market uses.
Does ISO 6780 set pallet height or strength?
No. ISO 6780 covers principal dimensions and tolerances of the footprint. Height and construction depend on the pallet design, and strength testing is covered by ISO 8611.
Which ISO pallet size fits a shipping container best?
Two across is the key test. 1100 × 1100, 1067 × 1067 and 1200 × 1000 (1000 mm across) fit two across a standard container comfortably. 1165 × 1165 barely fits, and 1200 × 800 and 48 × 40 leave gaps at some point in the load.
Sources and references
Related
- StandardsISO 6780: the six international pallet sizesISO 6780:2003 sets principal dimensions and tolerances of flat pallets for intercontinental handling. It recognizes six sizes: 1200 × 800, 1200 × 1000, 1219 × 1016 (48 × 40 in), 1165 × 1165, 1067 × 1067 and 1100 × 1100 mm, and covers openings, chamfers, wings, flatness and distortion.
- GlossaryISO palletAn ISO pallet is a pallet built to one of the six footprints recognized in ISO 6780: 1200 × 800, 1200 × 1000, 1219 × 1016 (48 × 40 in), 1165 × 1165, 1067 × 1067 and 1100 × 1100 mm. ISO 6780 sets principal dimensions and tolerances, not construction.
- SizesPallet sizes in mm and cm: metric chart of all common sizesThe most common pallet sizes in metric are 1200 × 800 mm (120 × 80 cm, Euro pallet), 1200 × 1000 mm (120 × 100 cm), 1219 × 1016 mm (121.9 × 101.6 cm, the 48 × 40 in GMA pallet), 1165 × 1165 mm (Australia) and 1100 × 1100 mm (Asia). North American sizes are defined in inches and convert to odd millimetre values.
- Sizes1200 × 800 pallet (Euro pallet): dimensions, weight and specsA 1200 × 800 mm pallet (47.2 × 31.5 in) is the Euro pallet, standardized as EPAL 1 / EUR 1 and one of the six ISO 6780 sizes. The EPAL 1 is 144 mm tall, weighs about 25 kg, and has a safe working load of 1,500 kg. It is the standard pallet for European retail and food logistics.
- 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.
- GuidesHow many pallets fit in a 20 ft and 40 ft container?A 20 ft container fits 11 EUR pallets (1200 × 800 mm), 9 pallets of 1200 × 1000 mm and 9 to 10 US 48 × 40 pallets on the floor. A 40 ft or 40 ft high cube fits 23 to 25 EUR, 20 to 22 of 1200 × 1000 mm and 20 to 21 of 48 × 40. The inside width of 2.35 m (92.6 in) is what limits most layouts.
- StandardsISO 8611: flat pallet test methods, performance and working loadsISO 8611 is the international standard for testing new flat pallets. Part 1 gives the test methods, Part 2 the performance requirements used to set a nominal load, and Part 3 how to determine the maximum working load for a known payload and support condition. Parts 1 and 2 were revised in 2025; Part 3 dates from 2011.
More in By region and topic
- SizesUS pallet sizes: the standard North American dimensionsThe standard US pallet is 48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm), the GMA pallet, used for grocery, retail and most general freight. Other common North American sizes are 42 × 42, 48 × 48, 48 × 42, 40 × 40, 48 × 45, 44 × 44, 36 × 36 and 48 × 36 in, each tied to particular industries.
- SizesEuropean pallet sizes: Euro, industrial, half, quarter and CP palletsThe standard European pallet is the 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet (EPAL 1), 144 mm tall. The 1200 × 1000 mm industrial pallet (EPAL 2 and EPAL 3) is the second standard. Retail uses the 800 × 600 half and 600 × 400 quarter pallets, and the chemical industry uses the CP1 to CP9 pallets.
- SizesUK pallet sizes: the 1200 × 1000 standard and the Euro palletThe standard UK pallet is 1200 × 1000 mm (47.2 × 39.4 in). CHEP's UK wooden pallet at this size is 162 mm tall and 28 kg, rated 1,500 kg safe working load. The 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet is also widely used in the UK, along with 800 × 600 half and 600 × 400 quarter pallets for retail.
- SizesAustralian pallet sizes: the 1165 × 1165 standard and export sizesThe standard Australian pallet is 1165 × 1165 mm (45.9 × 45.9 in), defined by AS 4068 and pooled by CHEP and Loscam. It is about 150 mm tall and was sized for Australian rail containers. For container exports, Australian shippers often use 1100 × 1100 or 1200 × 1000 mm pallets instead.
- SizesAsian pallet sizes: T11 (1100 × 1100) and 1200 × 1000The two standard Asian pallet sizes are 1100 × 1100 mm (43.3 × 43.3 in), known as T11, and 1200 × 1000 mm (47.2 × 39.4 in). T11 is the standard pool pallet in Japan (JIS Z 0601, 144 mm tall) and Korea. China's national standard specifies both sizes. Both are ISO 6780 footprints.
- SizesHalf pallet: dimensions and uses (48 × 20 and 800 × 600)A half pallet is half of a region's standard pallet. In North America it is 48 × 20 in (1219 × 508 mm), half of a 48 × 40. In Europe it is 800 × 600 mm (31.5 × 23.6 in), half of a 1200 × 800 Euro pallet, made by EPAL as the EPAL 6 and EPAL 7. Half pallets are used mainly for retail floor displays.
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 887 words.