Pallet Size Comparison
See how every major global pallet standard stacks up — dimensions, capacities, costs, and best-use scenarios in one comprehensive comparison.
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Complete Global Pallet Size Comparison Chart
This master table compares every major pallet standard used in global logistics — 18 sizes across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and specialty sectors. This is the most comprehensive pallet comparison chart available online.
| Standard | Dimensions (mm) | Dimensions (in) | Footprint (sq ft) | Weight | Dynamic Load | Static Load | Entry | Design | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMA (48×40) | 1219 × 1016 | 48 × 40 | 13.33 | 33-48 lbs | 2,800 lbs | 5,500 lbs | 4-way | Stringer | N. America |
| EUR 1 (Euro) | 1200 × 800 | 47.24 × 31.50 | 10.33 | 55 lbs | 3,307 lbs | 8,818 lbs | 4-way | Block | Europe |
| EUR 2 | 1200 × 1000 | 47.24 × 39.37 | 12.92 | 73 lbs | 2,756 lbs | 8,818 lbs | 4-way | Block | Europe / Asia |
| EUR 3 | 1000 × 1200 | 39.37 × 47.24 | 12.92 | 64 lbs | 3,307 lbs | 8,818 lbs | 4-way | Block | Europe |
| EUR 4 (Half Euro) | 800 × 600 | 31.50 × 23.62 | 5.17 | 21 lbs | 1,102 lbs | 2,954 lbs | 4-way | Block | Europe |
| EUR 6 | 800 × 600 | 31.50 × 23.62 | 5.17 | 21 lbs | 1,102 lbs | 4,409 lbs | 4-way | Block | Europe |
| Australian | 1165 × 1165 | 45.87 × 45.87 | 14.61 | 73 lbs | 4,600 lbs | 8,800 lbs | 4-way | Block | Australia / NZ |
| Asia T11 | 1100 × 1100 | 43.30 × 43.30 | 13.02 | 44-55 lbs | 2,200 lbs | 4,400 lbs | 4-way | Block | Japan / Korea |
| China GB/T 2934 | 1140 × 1140 | 44.88 × 44.88 | 13.97 | 50-60 lbs | 2,200 lbs | 4,400 lbs | 4-way | Block | China |
| Brazil PBR | 1000 × 1200 | 39.37 × 47.24 | 12.92 | 60-66 lbs | 2,200 lbs | 5,500 lbs | 4-way | Block | Brazil |
| Drum (42×42) | 1067 × 1067 | 42 × 42 | 12.25 | 40-50 lbs | 2,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 4-way | Stringer/Block | Global |
| Chemical (48×42) | 1219 × 1067 | 48 × 42 | 14.00 | 45-55 lbs | 3,000 lbs | 6,000 lbs | 4-way | Stringer | N. America |
| Automotive (48×45) | 1219 × 1143 | 48 × 45 | 15.00 | 50-60 lbs | 3,000 lbs | 6,000 lbs | 4-way | Stringer | N. America |
| Half Pallet (US) | 1219 × 508 | 48 × 20 | 6.67 | 18-25 lbs | 1,400 lbs | 2,800 lbs | 4-way | Stringer | N. America |
| Quarter Pallet (US) | 610 × 508 | 24 × 20 | 3.33 | 8-12 lbs | 700 lbs | 1,500 lbs | 2-way | Stringer | N. America |
| Oversize (60×48) | 1524 × 1219 | 60 × 48 | 20.00 | 55-70 lbs | 4,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs | 4-way | Stringer | N. America |
| Sheet Goods (96×48) | 2438 × 1219 | 96 × 48 | 32.00 | 70-90 lbs | 6,000 lbs | 12,000 lbs | 4-way | Stringer | N. America |
| Beverage (36×36) | 914 × 914 | 36 × 36 | 9.00 | 30-40 lbs | 2,000 lbs | 4,000 lbs | 4-way | Stringer | N. America |
Container & Trailer Utilization by Pallet Size
Floor utilization percentage is the ratio of total pallet footprint area to the available floor area of the transport vessel. Higher utilization means less wasted space and lower per-unit freight costs. This table shows exactly how each pallet standard performs in every common container and trailer type.
| Pallet Size | 53' Trailer (Count) | 53' Utilization | 20' Container (Count) | 20' Utilization | 40' Container (Count) | 40' Utilization | 40' HC (Count) | 40' HC Util. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMA 48×40 | 20 | 88% | 10 | 79% | 20 | 82% | 20 | 82% |
| EUR 1 (1200×800) | 26 | 86% | 11 | 83% | 23-24 | 85% | 23-24 | 85% |
| EUR 2 (1200×1000) | 20 | 85% | 10 | 87% | 20 | 87% | 20 | 87% |
| Australian (1165×1165) | 16 | 77% | 8 | 69% | 18 | 80% | 18 | 80% |
| Asia T11 (1100×1100) | 18 | 77% | 10 | 88% | 20 | 90% | 20 | 90% |
| China (1140×1140) | 18 | 83% | 9 | 84% | 18 | 84% | 18 | 84% |
| Brazil PBR (1000×1200) | 20 | 85% | 10 | 87% | 20 | 87% | 20 | 87% |
| Drum 42×42 | 20 | 81% | 10 | 82% | 20 | 84% | 20 | 84% |
| Half Pallet (48×20) | 40 | 88% | 20 | 79% | 40 | 82% | 40 | 82% |
Utilization percentages represent floor area coverage only. Actual cargo efficiency also depends on product height, weight limits, and stacking capability. The T11 pallet achieves 90% utilization in 40' containers, making it the best standard-size option for ocean freight to Asia.
Cost-Per-Unit Comparison
Pallet pricing varies by region, material availability, and purchasing volume. This table shows typical pricing ranges in the United States for new and recycled pallets of each major standard. Prices are approximate and fluctuate with lumber market conditions.
| Pallet Standard | New (per unit) | Recycled Grade A | Recycled Grade B | Cost Per Sq Ft (New) | Availability (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMA 48×40 | $11 - $25 | $5 - $12 | $3 - $8 | $0.82 - $1.88 | Excellent (everywhere) |
| EUR 1 (1200×800) | $15 - $30 | $8 - $18 | $5 - $12 | $1.45 - $2.90 | Good (port cities, specialty) |
| EUR 2 (1200×1000) | $18 - $35 | $10 - $20 | $7 - $14 | $1.39 - $2.71 | Moderate (specialty order) |
| 42×42 Drum | $10 - $22 | $5 - $12 | $3 - $8 | $0.82 - $1.80 | Good (chemical regions) |
| 48×48 | $14 - $28 | $7 - $15 | $5 - $10 | $0.88 - $1.75 | Good |
| 48×20 Half | $7 - $15 | $4 - $8 | $2 - $5 | $1.05 - $2.25 | Good (retail areas) |
| T11 (1100×1100) | $14 - $28 | Limited | Very limited | $1.08 - $2.15 | Low (import/specialty only) |
| Australian (1165×1165) | $20 - $40 | Very limited | N/A | $1.37 - $2.74 | Very low (special order) |
Prices reflect typical U.S. market conditions. Volume discounts of 15-30% are common for truckload orders (400+ pallets). SD Re Pallet offers competitive pricing on all sizes listed above. Contact us for current quotes.
Strength-to-Weight Ratios
The strength-to-weight ratio tells you how efficiently a pallet converts its own weight into load-carrying capacity. A higher ratio means the pallet carries more product per pound of pallet weight — which matters for freight cost optimization and worker ergonomics.
| Pallet Standard | Pallet Weight (lbs) | Dynamic Load (lbs) | Strength:Weight Ratio | Capacity Per Lb of Pallet | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMA 48×40 (SYP) | 37 | 2,800 | 75.7:1 | 75.7 lbs carried per lb of pallet | Excellent |
| EUR 1 | 55 | 3,307 | 60.1:1 | 60.1 lbs carried per lb of pallet | Good |
| EUR 2 | 73 | 2,756 | 37.8:1 | 37.8 lbs carried per lb of pallet | Moderate |
| Australian | 73 | 4,600 | 63.0:1 | 63.0 lbs carried per lb of pallet | Good |
| Asia T11 | 50 | 2,200 | 44.0:1 | 44.0 lbs carried per lb of pallet | Moderate |
| Drum 42×42 | 45 | 2,500 | 55.6:1 | 55.6 lbs carried per lb of pallet | Good |
| Half Pallet 48×20 | 22 | 1,400 | 63.6:1 | 63.6 lbs carried per lb of pallet | Good |
| Brazil PBR | 63 | 2,200 | 34.9:1 | 34.9 lbs carried per lb of pallet | Moderate |
The GMA stringer pallet achieves the best strength-to-weight ratio among major standards because its stringer construction uses less wood than block pallets for a given load capacity. This is one reason the GMA design has remained dominant in cost-sensitive North American markets despite the handling advantages of block pallets.
Regional Availability and Supply Chain Compatibility
Choosing the right pallet is not just about dimensions — it is about whether you can actually source that pallet in your region and whether your supply chain partners can handle it. This table rates the availability of each standard across major global markets.
| Pallet Standard | N. America | Europe | Asia-Pacific | S. America | Africa / Middle East |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMA 48×40 | Universal | Limited | Rare | Mexico only | Rare |
| EUR 1 | Specialty | Universal | Import only | Argentina, Chile | Growing |
| EUR 2 | Specialty | Common | Growing | Limited | Limited |
| Australian | Very rare | Very rare | AU/NZ only | N/A | N/A |
| Asia T11 | Rare | Rare | Universal (JP/KR) | N/A | N/A |
| China GB/T 2934 | Rare | Rare | China domestic | N/A | N/A |
| Brazil PBR | Rare | Rare | N/A | Brazil standard | N/A |
Visual Size Comparison
Each rectangle below represents a pallet footprint drawn to relative scale. This gives you an intuitive sense of how much surface area each standard provides.
GMA
13.33 sq ft
EUR 1
10.33 sq ft
EUR 2
12.92 sq ft
Australian
14.61 sq ft
Asia T11
13.02 sq ft
Drum
12.25 sq ft
Half Pallet
6.67 sq ft
EUR 6 (Half Euro)
5.17 sq ft
Quarter Pallet
3.33 sq ft
Brazil PBR
12.92 sq ft
Pros & Cons of Each Standard
GMA (48×40) — North America
Advantages
- Universal compatibility across all North American infrastructure
- Most widely available and competitively priced
- 20 pallets per 53-foot trailer floor
- Huge secondhand market for recycled pallets
- Best strength-to-weight ratio (75.7:1)
Disadvantages
- Not ideal for ocean container optimization (79-82% utilization)
- Stringer design limits true 4-way entry
- No formal exchange pool system
- Incompatible with European/Asian racking and automation
EUR 1 (1200×800) — Europe
Advantages
- True 4-way block construction for faster handling
- EPAL exchange pool eliminates return logistics
- 26 pallets per 53-foot trailer (higher density)
- Strictly regulated quality through annual audits
- Higher dynamic load capacity (3,307 lbs) than GMA
Disadvantages
- Smaller footprint means less product per pallet
- Heavier tare weight (55 lbs) increases freight costs
- Higher initial cost, especially in North America
- Limited availability outside of Europe
- Counterfeit risk in the open pool
Australian (1165×1165) — Australia/NZ
Advantages
- Largest footprint of the major standards (14.61 sq ft)
- Highest load capacity (4,600 lbs dynamic)
- CHEP pool system provides excellent availability in AU
- Square shape allows loading from any orientation
- Extremely durable hardwood construction
Disadvantages
- Very rare outside of Australia/New Zealand
- Lowest container floor utilization (69-80%)
- Heaviest tare weight of all major standards (73 lbs)
- Not available for purchase in most global markets
Asia T11 (1100×1100) — Asia Pacific
Advantages
- Best container floor utilization (88-90%)
- Widely available across Japan, Korea, and China
- Good balance of footprint size and weight
- Growing adoption through the Asian Pallet Pool System
- Optimized for ISO ocean container dimensions
Disadvantages
- Lower dynamic load capacity than Western standards
- Not compatible with North American or European racking
- Limited recycled supply in the U.S.
- Poor 53-foot trailer utilization (77%)
Which Pallet Size Is Right for You?
The right pallet size depends on four factors: where your goods are going, what infrastructure they will encounter along the way, how much weight they carry, and what your trading partners expect.
Shipping Domestically in North America?
Use the 48×40 GMA pallet. It is the universal standard across U.S. and Canadian logistics. Your pallets will fit every truck, every rack, every dock, and every trading partner’s warehouse. Unless your product has a very specific dimensional requirement, the GMA pallet is almost always the most cost-effective and compatible choice.
Exporting to Europe?
Use EUR 1 pallets. Your European customers will expect them, and their warehouses are built for them. Shipping on GMA pallets to Europe means your customer pays to re-palletize your goods, adding cost and potential damage risk that hurts your competitiveness.
Exporting to Asia or Australia?
Match the destination standard. Japan and Korea use 1100×1100 mm (T11). Australia uses 1165×1165 mm. China accepts both 1100×1100 and 1200×1000. Contact the receiving warehouse to confirm their preferred standard before shipping.
Have a Unique Product or Workflow?
Consider a custom pallet. If your product does not fit well on any standard size, or if a custom dimension significantly improves container or trailer utilization, the investment in a purpose-built pallet pays for itself quickly through reduced freight costs and lower damage rates.
Get the Right Pallets for Your Operation
SD Re Pallet stocks GMA, Euro, and specialty pallets in all grades. We also build custom sizes to your exact specifications. Let us help you find the perfect fit.