Sizes of Plastic Pallets
Common Plastic Pallet Sizes
The standard pallet size in North America is 48x40 and has been for decades.
I detailed uses for the 48x40 along with nearly 40 other pallet dimensions in my previous post, Industry Standard Pallet Sizes: A Complete List. As a follow-up, I am specifically shining a light on plastic pallets and six (6) sizes commonly sold in the US.
This post is part 5 of a 10-post series on Plastic Pallets 101. (Part 4 explains capacity ratings.)
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) approves specific plastic pallet sizes for making global trade easier. These sizes include the North American 48x40 and the Asian 43x43.
Plastic Pallet Buyer's Guide
Every unit load and application is unique, but standards for plastic pallet sizes still exist. Many industries have set specific dimensions to safely store and transport products unique to their production and manufacturing environment. Below is a starter guide of common sizes by industry or use.
48x40
Standard US
This size is so popular, just over half of all plastic pallets listed on our website (new and used) are 48x40 in size. Loaded onto a standard 53' dry van trailer, we can fit 30 stacks in a turned pattern.
48x32
Euro Pallet
Technically measuring 1200x800 mm, this size is often a "must have" for shipping into Europe. Many of the plastic Euro pallets we sell are designed to be lightweight to ease the cost of one-way export shipping.
48x45
Automotive
The 48x45 plastic pallet meets standards set for the North American auto industry. The 48x45 footprint is a match with the heavy-duty bulk containers used for holding auto parts.
43x43
Bulk Bags
Designed to fit Super Sacks®, the US 43x43 plastic pallet is a match for the 1100x1100 mm Asian standard for transporting big bags filled with food additives, feed, pharmaceuticals and other hard-to-handle granular materials.
45x45
CP9
The 45x45 plastic pallet is comparable to the chemical industry standard CP9, an 1140x1140 mm pallet for transporting mostly bags, boxes and drums. The dimensions are universally recognized for cubing out shipping containers.
48x48
Drum
Used primarily by the chemical industry, the 48x48 dimensions are ranked as a popular wooden pallet size in the US. Like their wood counterpart, 48x48 plastic pallets are designed to hold four 55-gallon drums without overhang.
More Plastic Pallet Sizes
We’ve only just scratched the surface of available plastic pallet sizes. You'll find more than 20 sizes of plastic pallets listed on our website including half-Euros, a variety of square options and extra large sizes like the 56x44 plastic beverage pallet. And, please note, use of specific pallet size is not limited to the industry that may have set the standard.
Need help finding a plastic pallet size for your application? Let's connect down below for assistance from one of our plastic pallet experts.
Updated: 12/12/2024 | Published: 5/4/2023
by Jonathan Haynes
on Plastic Pallets 101