Quarter pallet: dimensions and uses (24 × 20 and 600 × 400)
A quarter pallet is a quarter of a region's standard pallet. In North America it is 24 × 20 in (610 × 508 mm), a quarter of a 48 × 40. In Europe it is 600 × 400 mm (23.6 × 15.7 in), a quarter of a 1200 × 800 Euro pallet. Most are plastic display pallets for retail floors.
A quarter pallet is a quarter of the footprint of a region's standard pallet. Four fill one full pallet position. Quarter pallets are used almost entirely for small retail displays: a brand builds a display on the quarter pallet, and the store places it on the sales floor as delivered.
Quarter pallet sizes
| Quarter pallet | Size (in) | Size (mm) | Quarter of | Main users |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North American quarter pallet | 24 × 20 | 610 × 508 | 48 × 40 GMA | Mass merchants and club stores |
| European quarter pallet | 23.6 × 15.7 | 600 × 400 | 1200 × 800 Euro | European grocery and discount retail |
North American quarter pallet (24 × 20 in)
The 24 × 20 in quarter pallet is a quarter of a 48 × 40: four fill the full footprint. Most are molded plastic, which keeps them light and clean for sales floors. Wood versions are small 2-stringer pallets with about 4 or 5 top boards; at about 4.2 board feet, they weigh roughly 9 to 18 lb (estimate). With short stringers they are usually 2-way. See the 24 × 20 page.
European quarter pallet (600 × 400 mm)
The 600 × 400 mm quarter pallet is a quarter of a Euro pallet and matches the European packaging module: crates and cases of 600 × 400, 400 × 300 and 300 × 200 mm tile exactly onto it. Most are plastic.
| Spec | CHEP plastic quarter display pallet |
|---|---|
| Size | 600 × 400 × 145 mm |
| Tare weight | 2.2 kg |
| Safe working load | 250 kg |
| Stacked load limit | 800 kg on a solid, flat surface |
Figures are CHEP's. CHEP also offers a wheeled 600 × 400 version (a dolly) at 173 mm tall for some markets. See the 600 × 400 page.
Quarter, half and full pallets compared
| North America | Europe | |
|---|---|---|
| Full pallet | 48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm), 13.3 sq ft | 1200 × 800 mm (47.2 × 31.5 in), 0.96 m² |
| Half pallet | 48 × 20 in (1219 × 508 mm), 6.7 sq ft | 800 × 600 mm (31.5 × 23.6 in), 0.48 m² |
| Quarter pallet | 24 × 20 in (610 × 508 mm), 3.3 sq ft | 600 × 400 mm (23.6 × 15.7 in), 0.24 m² |
The fractions work because the sizes nest: two quarters make a half and two halves make a full pallet. That lets a distribution center build one full pallet position from mixed displays and move it with ordinary equipment. See half pallet.
When to choose a quarter pallet
A quarter pallet suits a display that holds a few cases of one product or a small promotion. It fits beside a register, at an aisle end or in a narrow gap on the sales floor. It is the wrong choice when:
- The product is heavy or tall, so the display would be unstable on a 24 × 20 in or 600 × 400 mm base.
- The retailer's rules allow only half or full pallet displays for that program.
- The display has to be moved often by pallet jack in a busy store, where a larger base is safer.
In those cases step up to a half pallet, or ship the product in cases for shelf stocking.
Retail display rules
The retailer decides what a quarter pallet display may be: footprint, maximum height, maximum weight, header rules, labeling and pallet type. Walmart's display rules, for example, set a quarter pallet footprint and height limit. These rules change, so work from the retailer's current supplier guide or your buyer. See Walmart pallet requirements and display pallet.
Stability and load
A quarter pallet is a small base under a tall display, so stability usually limits the load before the pallet's rating does. Keep heavy product low, use a display tray or corrugated shell, and stretch-wrap for transit. Quarter pallets normally travel grouped on a full pallet footprint (four per 48 × 40 or 1200 × 800), which also stabilizes them in the truck. See pallet load capacity and stretch-wrapping pallets.
Quarter pallets in freight pricing
Some carriers and UK pallet networks sell "quarter pallet" services defined by height and weight on a standard footprint. That is a price band, not a quarter-size pallet. Check the carrier's definitions. See shipping pallets LTL.
Specifying a quarter pallet
- Size: 24 × 20 in or 600 × 400 mm.
- Material: plastic (most common) or wood; color if the retailer specifies one.
- Type: static display pallet or wheeled dolly.
- Retailer program and its display rules.
- Display weight and height; whether four are tied together on a carrier pallet.
For larger displays, see half pallet. To draw a wood quarter pallet, open the half pallet template in the designer and set the length to 24 in.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a quarter pallet?
24 × 20 in (610 × 508 mm) in North America and 600 × 400 mm (23.6 × 15.7 in) in Europe.
What is a quarter pallet used for?
Small pre-built retail displays that sit on the sales floor, often at aisle ends or checkouts, and in Europe also for crate dollies in fresh food.
How much weight can a quarter pallet hold?
It depends on the model. CHEP rates its plastic 600 × 400 display pallet at 250 kg safe working load. In practice, the retailer's display rules and the display's stability usually limit the load first.
How much does a quarter pallet weigh?
Plastic display quarter pallets are light: CHEP lists 2.2 kg for its 600 × 400 model. A wood 24 × 20 quarter pallet weighs roughly 9 to 18 lb depending on species and moisture (estimate).
Sources and references
Related
- Sizes24 × 20 quarter pallet: dimensions, weight and specsA 24 × 20 in pallet (610 × 508 mm) is the North American quarter pallet: one quarter of a 48 × 40. It is used for small retail floor displays that sit on the sales floor. Most are molded plastic; wood versions exist and weigh roughly 9 to 18 lb.
- Sizes600 × 400 pallet (quarter pallet): dimensions, weight and specsA 600 × 400 mm pallet (23.6 × 15.7 in) is the European quarter pallet: a quarter of a 1200 × 800 Euro pallet. Most are plastic display pallets or wheeled dollies. CHEP's plastic quarter display pallet is 600 × 400 × 145 mm, weighs 2.2 kg and is rated 250 kg safe working load.
- 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.
- TypesDisplay pallets: half (48 × 20) and quarter (24 × 20) palletsA display pallet is a small pallet that carries product straight onto a store floor as a ready-made display. North American sizes are the 48 × 20 in (1219 × 508 mm) half pallet and 24 × 20 in (610 × 508 mm) quarter pallet; in Europe, the 800 × 600 mm EPAL 6. Retailers set their own rules.
- GuidesWalmart pallet requirements: supplier DCs and Walmart Fulfillment ServicesWalmart's supplier standards require 48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm) four-way Grade A pallets: stringer pallets with 7 top and 5 bottom boards on 3 stringers (2,100 lb loaded), 9-block pallets (2,800 lb) or approved pooled pallets. Loads max 96 in (244 cm), no overhang. WFS has its own rules.
- TypesPlastic pallets: types, materials, load ratings and how to buy themA plastic pallet is a molded or fabricated pallet made from HDPE or polypropylene. Types range from light nestable pallets (about 14–30 lb) to reinforced rackable pallets (about 35–70 lb). They are washable, ISPM 15 exempt and long-lived, cost several times more than wood, and carry three separate load ratings.
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.
- SizesISO pallet sizes: the six ISO 6780 footprintsISO 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.
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 850 words.