GMA Pallet (48x40)
The most widely used pallet in North America. Everything you need to know about the 48-by-40-inch Grocery Manufacturers Association standard pallet.
Order 48×40 GMA Pallets
Partner suppliers in our network can provide GMA pallets new, recycled, and heat-treated. Request a quote and we will pass it to a local supplier.
History of the GMA Pallet
The 48×40-inch pallet owes its dominance to the Grocery Manufacturers Association, now known as the Consumer Brands Association, which promoted it as the standard for the grocery and consumer goods supply chain. Before standardization, the U.S. logistics industry was a patchwork of incompatible sizes. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers each used different footprints, creating enormous inefficiency at every transfer point in the supply chain.
The 48×40 footprint fits standard North American trailers efficiently. A 53-foot dry van holds 26 GMA pallets on the floor loaded straight (48″ side along the trailer) or 30 loaded turned (48″ side across the width), and the footprint works with standard dock equipment.
Today, the 48×40 is the most widely used pallet size in North America. Its ubiquity means that nearly every warehouse, distribution center, retail store, and automated handling system on the continent is designed to accommodate it. Choosing a GMA pallet ensures compatibility with the broadest possible range of infrastructure and trading partners.
GMA Pallet Specifications
| Core Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 48 in (1219 mm) |
| Width | 40 in (1016 mm) |
| Height (Stringer) | 6.0 in (152 mm) |
| Height (Block) | 5.75 in (146 mm) |
| Fork Entry | 4-way (with notching on stringer) |
| Deck Surface | Top and bottom deck boards |
| Load Capacity & Weight | |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Load | 2,500 - 2,800 lbs |
| Static Load | 5,000 - 5,500 lbs |
| Racking Load | 2,000 - 2,500 lbs |
| Pallet Weight (New) | 33 - 48 lbs |
| Pallet Weight (Recycled) | 35 - 55 lbs |
| Max Stack Height | 60 in (typical) |
| Construction Details (Standard Stringer Design) | |
|---|---|
| Number of Stringers | 3 (two outside, one center) |
| Stringer Dimensions | 1.5″ × 3.5″ × 48″ |
| Top Deck Boards | 7 boards (2 lead, 1 center, 4 inner) |
| Bottom Deck Boards | 5 boards (2 end, 1 center, 2 inner) |
| Board Thickness | 5/8″ to 3/4″ (16 - 19 mm) |
| Lead Board Width | 5.5″ (140 mm) |
| Inner Board Width | 3.5″ (89 mm) |
| Fasteners | Helical or annular nails, 2 per joint (minimum) |
| Notching | Fork notches on all 3 stringers for 4-way entry |
Complete Board Layout and Nail Pattern
The standard GMA stringer pallet uses a specific board arrangement that has been refined over decades to balance load capacity, material cost, and manufacturing efficiency. Understanding this layout is essential for quality inspection, repair work, and comparing pallet grades.
Top Deck Board Layout
| Position | Board Width | Board Length | Nails per Stringer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead Board #1 | 5.5″ | 40″ | 3 nails |
| Inner Board #2 | 3.5″ | 40″ | 2 nails |
| Inner Board #3 | 3.5″ | 40″ | 2 nails |
| Center Board #4 | 5.5″ | 40″ | 3 nails |
| Inner Board #5 | 3.5″ | 40″ | 2 nails |
| Inner Board #6 | 3.5″ | 40″ | 2 nails |
| Lead Board #7 | 5.5″ | 40″ | 3 nails |
Top deck total: 7 boards × 3 stringers = 21 joints. Nails: 51 minimum (3+2+2+3+2+2+3 per stringer × 3 stringers).
Bottom Deck Board Layout
| Position | Board Width | Board Length | Nails per Stringer |
|---|---|---|---|
| End Board #1 | 3.5″ | 40″ | 2 nails |
| Inner Board #2 | 3.5″ | 40″ | 2 nails |
| Center Board #3 | 5.5″ | 40″ | 2 nails |
| Inner Board #4 | 3.5″ | 40″ | 2 nails |
| End Board #5 | 3.5″ | 40″ | 2 nails |
Bottom deck total: 5 boards × 3 stringers = 15 joints. Nails: 30 minimum (2 per joint × 15 joints).
Nail Pattern Specifications
Nail Type
Helical (spiral) or annular (ring-shank) nails are standard for pallet assembly because they resist withdrawal under vibration and dynamic loads much better than smooth-shank nails.
Nail Dimensions
Standard: 2.25″ long × 0.113″ diameter for 5/8″ deck boards into 1.5″ stringers. For 3/4″ boards: 2.5″ long nails. The nail must penetrate at least 1.0″ into the stringer after passing through the deck board.
Total Nail Count
With the board-by-board counts above, a 7/5 design uses 51 nails on the top deck and 30 on the bottom deck, 81 in total. Heavier-duty designs add nails at the bottom-deck joints.
GMA Pallet Weight by Wood Species
The weight of a 48×40 GMA pallet varies significantly based on the wood species used in construction. This matters for shipping cost calculations, worker ergonomics, and total truck weight compliance. Below is a comparison of common wood species and their impact on GMA pallet weight and strength.
| Wood Species | Type | Density (lbs/ft³) | Pallet Weight (New) | Dynamic Capacity | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Yellow Pine | Softwood | 34 - 37 | 33 - 40 lbs | 2,500 - 2,800 lbs | Good |
| White Oak | Hardwood | 46 - 50 | 45 - 55 lbs | 3,000 - 3,500 lbs | Excellent |
| Red Oak | Hardwood | 43 - 47 | 42 - 50 lbs | 2,800 - 3,200 lbs | Very Good |
| Hard Maple | Hardwood | 44 - 48 | 44 - 52 lbs | 3,000 - 3,400 lbs | Excellent |
| Poplar / Aspen | Hardwood (soft) | 28 - 32 | 28 - 35 lbs | 2,000 - 2,400 lbs | Fair |
| Spruce / Fir | Softwood | 25 - 30 | 26 - 33 lbs | 1,800 - 2,200 lbs | Fair |
| Mixed Hardwood (typical) | Mixed | 36 - 42 | 36 - 48 lbs | 2,500 - 2,800 lbs | Good |
Stacking Height Limits and Racking Compatibility
Stacking Height Guidelines
| Load Weight | Max Stack Height | Pallet Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,000 lbs | 4 high (240″) | Any grade |
| 1,000 - 1,500 lbs | 3 high (180″) | Grade A or new |
| 1,500 - 2,000 lbs | 2 high (120″) | Grade A or new |
| 2,000 - 2,800 lbs | 1 high only (60″) | New preferred |
Heights assume a 54″ product height per pallet plus 6″ pallet height. Always verify with your product dimensions and building ceiling clearance.
Racking Compatibility
The 48×40 GMA pallet is compatible with the following standard rack configurations:
- Selective Pallet Racking: Frames are commonly 42 inches deep, so a 48×40 pallet placed with its 48-inch side front to back overhangs each beam by about 3 inches.
- Drive-In/Drive-Through Racking: Pallets rest on rails along their edges, so sound bottom deck boards are essential. Confirm rail spacing with your rack supplier.
- Push-Back Racking: Carts are designed for 48×40 footprint. Lanes typically hold several pallets deep.
- Pallet Flow (Gravity Flow): Rollers or wheels with guide rails; pallets need sound, consistent bottom boards to roll reliably.
- Cantilever Racking: Not optimized for GMA pallets; better suited for long, irregular loads.
For racking applications, always use pallets in Grade A condition or better. Broken or missing bottom deck boards can cause the pallet to slip through rack beams — a serious safety hazard. See our grading guide for detailed quality criteria.
Trailer Loading Patterns: How Many GMA Pallets Per Truck?
Understanding how GMA pallets load into different transport vehicles is critical for freight cost optimization. The 48×40 footprint was designed for North American road trailers, but it also fits into ocean containers with varying levels of efficiency.
| Vehicle / Container | Internal Floor | Pallets on Floor | Pallets Double-Stacked | Floor Utilization | Loading Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53' Dry Van Trailer | about 630″ L × 100.5″ W | 30 | 60 | 91% | 2 across × 15 deep (48″ side across) |
| 48' Dry Van Trailer | about 570″ L × 100.5″ W | 28 | 56 | 94% | 2 across × 14 deep (48″ side across) |
| 20' Ocean Container | about 233″ L × 92.1″ W | 9 | 18 | 80% | Rows of 5 and 4, mixed orientation |
| 40' Ocean Container | about 474″ L × 92.1″ W | 20 | 40 | 88% | Rows of 11 and 9, mixed orientation |
| 40' HC Container | about 474″ L × 92.1″ W | 20 | 40 | 88% | Same floor as 40'; about 1 ft taller |
Counts are worked out from the floor dimensions shown. Real loads need some clearance, double-stacking depends on load height and stability, and every load must stay within the vehicle’s weight limit.
GMA Pallet vs. CHEP vs. PECO: Pooling System Comparison
While the GMA standard defines the 48×40 footprint, the way companies acquire and manage these pallets varies significantly. The three primary models are white-wood (purchase), CHEP (rental pool), and PECO (rental pool). Each has distinct cost structures, quality levels, and logistics implications.
| Feature | White-Wood (Purchase) | CHEP (Blue Pallets) | PECO (Red Pallets) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 48 × 40 | 48 × 40 | 48 × 40 |
| Design | Stringer (usually) | Block (9 blocks) | Block (9 blocks) |
| Fork Entry | Partial 4-way (notched) | True 4-way | True 4-way |
| Ownership Model | Purchased; you own it | Rented per issue/trip | Rented per issue/trip |
| Quality Consistency | Varies by supplier | High (audited) | High (audited) |
| Best For | One-way shipping, high-loss lanes | Closed-loop grocery/retail | Closed-loop grocery/retail |
White-wood GMA pallets in a range of grades are available through partner suppliers in the SD Re Pallet network. If you currently use CHEP or PECO and want to price out purchased pallets, request a quote with your typical volumes and a partner supplier will follow up.
Industries That Rely on GMA Pallets
The GMA pallet’s original home was the grocery industry, but its standardization has made it the default choice for a much broader range of sectors. Today, these industries use 48×40 pallets as their primary shipping platform:
Grocery & Food Distribution
The original adopter. Most grocery chains and food distributors in North America use 48x40 pallets.
Retail & General Merchandise
Most major retailers specify 48x40 pallets in their routing guides.
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Household goods, personal care products, cleaning supplies — all typically ship on GMA pallets.
Pharmaceutical
The pharma industry uses 48x40 pallets extensively, often requiring heat treatment and clean, Grade A condition.
E-Commerce Fulfillment
Most fulfillment networks are designed around 48x40 pallets, so non-standard sizes can be harder to handle.
Beverage
Beer, wine, spirits, water, and soft drinks — much of it moves on 48x40 pallets.
Building Materials
While some oversized materials require larger pallets, many building products ship on 48x40 for retail distribution.
Agricultural Products
Produce, frozen foods, and agricultural commodities commonly use GMA pallets for domestic distribution.
GMA vs Other Pallet Standards
How does the 48×40 GMA pallet compare to other major standards worldwide? See our full comparison chart for more detail.
| Feature | GMA (48×40) | EUR 1 (1200×800) | Asia T11 (1100×1100) | Australian (1165×1165) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footprint (sq ft) | 13.33 | 10.33 | 13.02 | 14.61 |
| Per 53' Trailer Floor (by dimensions) | 30 pallets | 39 pallets | 28 pallets | 26 pallets |
| Entry Type | 4-way (notched) | 4-way (block) | 4-way (block) | 4-way (block) |
| Design | Stringer or block | Block only | Block | Block |
| Best For | Domestic N. America | European logistics | Asian logistics | Australian logistics |
Tips for Buying GMA Pallets
Because the 48×40 is so widely used, it is also the most readily available and competitively priced pallet on the market. Here are key considerations when purchasing:
New vs. Recycled: New GMA pallet prices move with lumber markets and construction quality. A recycled GMA pallet in Grade A condition typically costs less than new, and Grade B and Grade C recycled pallets cost less again, which suits one-way shipping or applications where appearance matters less. Pricing is by quote from partner suppliers.
Heat Treatment: If your pallets cross international borders, ISPM-15 requires that they be heat treated to a core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes. Heat-treated pallets bearing the IPPC mark are available on request through partner suppliers in our network.
Wood Species: GMA pallets are typically built from southern yellow pine, oak, or a hardwood/softwood mix. Hardwood pallets are heavier but stronger; softwood pallets are lighter and easier to handle but may have lower load capacity. See our wood types guide for a detailed comparison.
Quantity Pricing: Like all commodities, pallet pricing drops significantly at volume. A full truckload of 48×40 pallets will usually price lower per unit than small orders. If you use pallets on a recurring basis, mention it in your quote request; some partner suppliers in our network may offer volume pricing or scheduled deliveries.
Ready to Order GMA Pallets?
Tell us the grade and quantity of 48×40 GMA pallets you need, new or recycled, and we will pass your request to a partner supplier serving San Diego County.