Deck height about 5.5 in
A GMA pallet's deck sits about 5.5 in off the floor. Height limits that include the pallet start from there. It is a planning figure, not a fixed standard; measure your own pallets.
Standard pallet sizes
The pallet footprint dataset: the GMA 48 × 40 in that North American LTL runs on, the EUR 120 × 80 cm, and the rest of the ISO 6780 footprint series. The pallet calculator uses these footprints as its presets.
Footprints
| Footprint (in) | Footprint (cm) | Region / use |
|---|---|---|
| 48 × 40 | 121.9 × 101.6 | North America (GMA) |
| 42 × 42 | 106.7 × 106.7 | North America (beverage and paint) |
| 48 × 48 | 121.9 × 121.9 | North America (drums and bulk) |
| 40 × 40 | 101.6 × 101.6 | North America (dairy and military) |
| 43.3 × 43.3 | 110 × 110 | Asia (ISO 6780) |
| 47.2 × 39.4 | 120 × 100 | Europe and Asia (ISO 6780) |
| 47.2 × 31.5 | 120 × 80 | Europe EUR (ISO 6780) |
| 45.9 × 45.9 | 116.5 × 116.5 | Europe (ISO 6780) |
| 44.9 × 44.9 | 114 × 114 | Australia (ISO 6780) |
Footprints follow the ISO 6780 series and North American industry practice. The same nominal size can vary slightly by manufacturer and by pallet pool.
Planning figures that go with the footprints
Working weight cap about 2,500 lb
LTL practice treats roughly 2,500 lb as a working cap for a standard pallet load. Forklift ratings, pallet condition and receiver rules set the real limit for a given load.
Receivers set their own caps
Marketplace and retail receivers publish their own pallet height and weight limits, and they change. Treat any preset, including the ones in our pallet calculator, as a starting point and check the receiver's current rules.
Sources
- ISO 6780 pallet footprint series
- NWPCA industry references
- Carrier and receiver published practice
Rules last checked November 12, 2026 · How we check every figure