What are the standard pallet sizes?
The international standard for pallet sizes, ISO 6780, lists six: three rectangular (1200 × 800, 1200 × 1000 and 1219 × 1016 mm, the last being 48 × 40 inches) and three square (1067, 1100 and 1140 mm a side). The 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet and the 1200 × 1000 mm industrial pallet are the common sizes in Europe; 48 × 40 in is the common size in North America. The standard describes sizes only: it does not say one is preferred.
| Pallet | mm | inches | 40 × 30 cm cartons a layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet (EPAL 1) | 1,200 × 800 | 47.2 × 31.5 | 8 |
| Industrial or UK pallet (EPAL 2) | 1,200 × 1,000 | 47.2 × 39.4 | 10 |
| North American 48 × 40 in | 1,219 × 1,016 | 48 × 40 | 10 |
| Square | 1,067 × 1,067 | 42 × 42 | 8 |
| Square | 1,100 × 1,100 | 43.3 × 43.3 | 8 |
| Square | 1,140 × 1,140 | 44.9 × 44.9 | 8 |
The last column is why the size matters more than its area suggests. A 40 × 30 cm carton is a quarter of the 600 × 400 mm packaging module, so it tiles a Euro pallet with no gap. On the square sizes the same carton leaves gaps, and a layer holds no more than on the Euro pallet even though the deck is larger. The count for your own carton depends on the layer pattern, not on area: how many cartons fit on a pallet. Which of the Euro and the 1200 × 1000 carries more per metre of truck: Euro vs standard pallet.
Many pallets in use are not on the list: the half pallet (800 × 600 mm), national sizes, and a long tail of one-way and plastic pallets. Pallet build takes any size under Custom.
Related: What is a Euro pallet?, What is TI-HI?
Sources
- ISO 6780:2003, Flat pallets for intercontinental materials handling: principal dimensions and tolerances, Tables 1 and 2 (sample).
- Cartons per layer: the Pallet build engine, best pattern, no overhang.
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