Pallet weight and load capacity
An empty wood 48 x 40 GMA pallet weighs about 33 to 49 pounds, and a standard one supports roughly 2,000 to 2,800 pounds while moving and more when it sits still.
Weight of the pallet itself
| Pallet | Weight empty | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Standard GMA 48 x 40, wood | 33 to 49 lb (15 to 22 kg); one source gives a typical 37 lb | 5.5 to 6 in; one source gives 6 1/2 in |
| Reinforced wood GMA | 55 to 66 lb (25 to 30 kg) | About the same |
| Standard wooden pallet, 48 x 40 x 6 in | About 33 to 48 lb | 6 in |
The sources differ a little because pallets vary: wet wood weighs more, and a pallet with plates and plugs weighs more than one without. Use the range, and weigh a few if your load is close to a limit.
What a pallet can carry
Two numbers matter. Dynamic capacity is what a pallet carries while a forklift or jack is moving it. Static capacity is what it carries when it sits on the floor or in a stack. Static is always higher.
| Source | Dynamic | Static |
|---|---|---|
| Interlake Mecalux, standard GMA | 2,000 to 2,800 lb (900 to 1,270 kg) | 2,500 to 4,600 lb (1,100 to 2,100 kg) |
| PHS, a standard wooden 48 x 40 x 6 in | 1 short ton (2,000 lb) | 3 short tons (6,000 lb) |
| Wikipedia, many pallets | 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) | Not stated |
The sources give different static numbers. No universally accepted standard exists for pallet dimensions, and the GMA organization no longer governs pallet specifications. A figure on a data sheet is a rating from a maker or a test, not a guarantee for the pallet in your hand.
What changes the capacity
- Repairs. A Grade B with a plug carries a similar load; a Grade C with several repairs may not. Grades.
- Racking. A pallet on a rack with open beams carries less than one on a flat floor, because the boards bend.
- Moisture. Wet wood is weaker.
- Load shape. A point load, such as a casting on a corner, is worse than the same weight spread over the deck.
- Frame type. Block and four-way builds are usually heavier and more durable than two-way. Types.
When to ask for a stronger pallet
If your load is over about 2,000 pounds on a moving pallet, or sits on racking, say so in the request, or ask for a new pallet built to a rating. See new and custom pallets. A 53 ft trailer's worth is easy on weight, but see pallets per trailer for how many fit.
Questions about weight
How heavy is a pallet?
A standard wood GMA pallet weighs 33 to 49 pounds empty. Reinforced ones weigh 55 to 66 pounds.
What is the difference between dynamic and static?
Dynamic is while moving, and static is at rest. Static capacity is higher.
Does the grade change the rating?
Repairs and wear can lower it. Do not assume a Grade C holds what a Grade A does.
Margins
Never load to the rating. Allow for uneven loads, worn boards and rough handling. A margin of a quarter is common.
A worked example
Suppose a pallet carries sixteen boxes of forty pounds. The load is 640 pounds and the pallet adds about 40, so 680 pounds. A standard pallet rated for a dynamic load around 2,000 pounds has plenty of margin. Double the box weight and the margin shrinks. That is why the weight per pallet, not per box, is the number to write down.