Standard Pallet Sizes: ISO 6780 & Regional Directory
A sourced, engineering-first reference separating the six canonical ISO 6780 international footprints from certified pallet products (such as European EPAL), regional conventions (including North American GMA and Australian standards), and mode-specific equipment loading profiles.
Interactive Pallet Standards & Footprint Directory
Interactive Pallet Standards & Footprint Directory
Explore canonical 2D footprints, regional standards, and certified pallet product load limits.
| Standard & Classification | Dimensions (L × W) | Construction / Entry | Certified Load Limits | Operational Scope & Provenance | Planning Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISO 6780 Footprint #1 (1219 × 1016 mm) ISO 6780 Canonical Footprint ISO 6780:2003 (Footprint #1) | 48.00″ × 40.00″ 1,219 × 1,016 mm | Rectangular Footprint | Dimensional standard defines outer 2D envelope and apertures; no universal load capacity specified. | 48 × 40" (1219 × 1016 mm) rectangular footprint defined in ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #1. | Pack Cartons → Trailer Fit (53ft) → |
ISO 6780 Footprint #2 (1200 × 800 mm) ISO 6780 Canonical Footprint ISO 6780:2003 (Footprint #2) | 47.24″ × 31.50″ 1,200 × 800 mm | Rectangular Footprint | Dimensional standard defines outer 2D envelope and apertures; no universal load capacity specified. | 1200 × 800 mm rectangular footprint defined in ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #2. | Pack Cartons → Trailer Fit (53ft) → |
ISO 6780 Footprint #3 (1200 × 1000 mm) ISO 6780 Canonical Footprint ISO 6780:2003 (Footprint #3) | 47.24″ × 39.37″ 1,200 × 1,000 mm | Rectangular Footprint | Dimensional standard defines outer 2D envelope and apertures; no universal load capacity specified. | 1200 × 1000 mm rectangular footprint defined in ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #3. | Pack Cartons → Trailer Fit (53ft) → |
ISO 6780 Footprint #4 (1140 × 1140 mm) ISO 6780 Canonical Footprint ISO 6780:2003 (Footprint #4) | 44.88″ × 44.88″ 1,140 × 1,140 mm | Square Footprint | Dimensional standard defines outer 2D envelope and apertures; no universal load capacity specified. | 1140 × 1140 mm square footprint defined in ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #4. | Pack Cartons → Trailer Fit (53ft) → |
ISO 6780 Footprint #5 (1100 × 1100 mm) ISO 6780 Canonical Footprint ISO 6780:2003 (Footprint #5) | 43.30″ × 43.30″ 1,100 × 1,100 mm | Square Footprint | Dimensional standard defines outer 2D envelope and apertures; no universal load capacity specified. | 1100 × 1100 mm square footprint defined in ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #5. | Pack Cartons → Trailer Fit (53ft) → |
ISO 6780 Footprint #6 (1067 × 1067 mm) ISO 6780 Canonical Footprint ISO 6780:2003 (Footprint #6) | 42.00″ × 42.00″ 1,067 × 1,067 mm | Square Footprint | Dimensional standard defines outer 2D envelope and apertures; no universal load capacity specified. | 1067 × 1067 mm (42 × 42") square footprint defined in ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #6. | Pack Cartons → Trailer Fit (53ft) → |
The 6 Canonical ISO 6780:2003 Footprints
The International Organization for Standardization established ISO 6780:2003 (Flat pallets for intercontinental materials handling — Principal dimensions and tolerances) to standardize exterior dimensions and aperture openings for intermodal freight movement. Across global manufacturing and ocean shipping, ISO recognized exactly six standard rectangular and square pallet footprints:
| ISO 6780 Standard | Metric Dimensions | Imperial Equivalent | Geometry Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #1 | 1219 × 1016 mm | 48.00″ × 40.00″ | Rectangular Footprint |
| ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #2 | 1200 × 800 mm | 47.24″ × 31.50″ | Rectangular Footprint |
| ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #3 | 1200 × 1000 mm | 47.24″ × 39.37″ | Rectangular Footprint |
| ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #4 | 1140 × 1140 mm | 44.88″ × 44.88″ | Square Footprint |
| ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #5 | 1100 × 1100 mm | 43.30″ × 43.30″ | Square Footprint |
| ISO 6780:2003 Footprint #6 | 1067 × 1067 mm | 42.00″ × 42.00″ | Square Footprint |
Critical Engineering Boundary: ISO 6780 defines only the normalized exterior rectangular or square footprint and minimum handling apertures (fork pocket heights and widths) for mechanical handling equipment. ISO 6780 does NOT specify lumber species, board thicknesses, fastener schedules, or universal load capacities.
Separating Footprints, Pallet Products, and Regional Conventions
A frequent misconception in freight logistics is conflating a footprint standard with a specific pallet product or load rating. Logistics engineers separate pallet specifications into three distinct layers:
Footprint Standard (2D Envelope)
The theoretical outer perimeter (L × W) defined in intermodal standards (e.g. ISO 6780). It dictates floor space utilization inside trailers, shipping containers, and automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS).
Pallet Product (Construction)
The manufactured physical wooden or plastic article. Governed by production standards (e.g. EPAL Technical Regulations), specifying deckboard thickness, stringer/block orientation, nails, moisture content, and tested load ratings.
Regional Usage (Pooling Pools)
Commercial exchange and rental systems (CHEP, PECO, Loscam, EPAL Euro exchange pool) optimized for local transport vehicles and warehouse material handling setups.
Case Study: Why Rotating 1200 × 1000 mm Does Not Create a New ISO Footprint
The European Pallet Association produces both the EPAL 2 and EPAL 3 pallets:
- Nominal dimensions 1200 × 1000 mm. Built with 1200 mm length along the bottom blocks and 1000 mm width across the deckboards. Features a perimeter base frame.
- Nominal dimensions 1000 × 1200 mm. Built with 1000 mm length along the stringer blocks and 1200 mm width across top deckboards.
While their construction and fork entry orientations differ physically, both pallets occupy the identical 1200 × 1000 mm ISO 6780 Footprint #3. Changing which dimension serves as the fork insertion side does not constitute an independent international footprint standard.
Regional & National Pallet Systems
1. North America: GMA & 48 × 40″ Baseline
48 × 40″ StandardThe standard North American pallet format is the 48 × 40″ (1219 × 1016 mm) footprint (ISO 6780 Footprint #1), widely referenced as the GMA specification. For the FreeLoadPlan 53ft planning baseline, 630 inches internal length and 99 inches clear width are used:
- Straight loading: Pallets are loaded with their 40-inch dimension across trailer width (2 × 40 = 80 in) and 48-inch dimension along trailer length (13 × 48 = 624 in), yielding 26 positions.
- Turned loading: Pallets are turned with their 48-inch dimension across trailer width (2 × 48 = 96 in) and 40-inch dimension along trailer length (15 × 40 = 600 in), yielding up to 30 positions where interior clear width permits.
Actual equipment dimensions and door clearances override planning baselines. For detailed layout simulations, see our 53ft trailer pallet capacity guide .
2. Europe: EPAL System
1200 × 800 mm StandardStandard European freight centers on the EPAL 1 Euro pallet (1200 × 800 mm), standardized under EPAL Technical Regulations and ISO 6780 Footprint #2. The larger EPAL 2 (1200 × 1000 mm) and rotated EPAL 3 (1000 × 1200 mm) utilize ISO 6780 Footprint #3, while the EPAL 6 (800 × 600 mm) half-pallet serves retail display applications.
3. Australia: 1165 × 1165 mm Regional Pallet
Regional / Non-ISOThe Australian regional pallet format is a 1165 × 1165 mm (45.87 × 45.87″) square footprint. The withdrawn AS 4068-1993 historically specified the footprint; it remains in current Australian commercial pallet use, including CHEP’s Australian pallet pool.
Essential Distinction: The Australian 1165 × 1165 mm pallet is strictly a regional national footprint and is NOT an ISO 6780 footprint.
The Australian 1165 × 1165 mm footprint is a square national format designed for domestic handling and commercial pooling. Unlike rectangular intermodal pallets, it is not part of the ISO 6780 global series.
4. Asia: 1100 × 1100 mm Square Footprint
ISO Footprint #5The 1100 × 1100 mm (43.30 × 43.30″) square footprint is ISO 6780 Footprint #5, widely deployed across international shipping and regional material handling systems in Asia.
Pallet Load Ratings: Safe Working Load and Stacked Limits
A widespread freight error is assigning a universal "load capacity" based purely on footprint dimensions (e.g. claiming all 48×40 pallets carry 2,500 lb or all 1200×800 pallets rack 1,000 kg). Pallet load capacity is determined by structural design, material species, deckboard thickness, and test standards (such as ISO 8611), not by 2D dimensions alone.
Official EPAL Technical Regulations Load Ratings
The European Pallet Association rigorously tests and certifies load capacities for standardized EPAL timber products. These represent verified engineering baselines:
| EPAL Specification | Dimensions (L × W) | Safe Working Load | Max Bottom-Pallet Load When Stacked (on solid, even surface) | Racking Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPAL 1 (Euro Pallet) EPAL Technical Regulations | 1200 × 800 mm (47.24 × 31.50″) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lb) | Verify specific rack configuration, beam span, and testing/certification. |
| EPAL 2 (Industrial Pallet) EPAL 2 Technical Regulations | 1200 × 1000 mm (47.24 × 39.37″) | 1,250 kg (2,756 lb) | 4,250 kg (9,370 lb) | Verify specific rack configuration, beam span, and testing/certification. |
| EPAL 3 (Variant Pallet) EPAL 3 Technical Regulations | 1000 × 1200 mm (39.37 × 47.24″) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lb) | Verify specific rack configuration, beam span, and testing/certification. |
| EPAL 6 (Half-Pallet) EPAL 6 Half-Pallet Technical Regulations | 800 × 600 mm (31.50 × 23.62″) | 750 kg (1,653 lb) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) | Verify specific rack configuration, beam span, and testing/certification. |
Official Terminology:
- Safe working load: The maximum payload that can be safely carried during forklift or pallet jack handling with uniformly distributed cargo across the deck.
- Max bottom-pallet load when stacked: When stacking laden pallets on a solid, even surface, the bottommost pallet must not exceed this load limit.
- Racking conditions: Open-rack capacity is not inferred from footprint or the stacked-load value. Verify the specific pallet product, rack configuration, beam span, and applicable testing/certification.
Equipment Loading & Capacity Planning
Pallet loading capacity varies by transport equipment, interior clear dimensions, and loading orientation. Rather than relying on unverified estimates, freight planners calculate floor loading directly from verified vehicle dimensions and dedicated layout tools:
53ft Semi-Trailer Capacity
→Simulate straight (26 pallets), turned (up to 30 pallets), and pinwheel arrangements against the 630″ × 99″ FreeLoadPlan planning baseline.
Pallet Packing Calculator
→Calculate carton packing efficiency on standard 48×40″ GMA or 1200×800 mm Euro pallets with 3D layer visualization.
Linear Feet Calculator
→Determine exact linear trailer footage occupied by standard pallet footprints to prevent LTL cubic capacity surcharges.
Sources & Planning Assumptions
Primary Sourced Standards
- ISO 6780:2003 Flat pallets for intercontinental materials handling — Principal dimensions and tolerances : Flat pallets for intercontinental materials handling — Principal dimensions and tolerances. Published by the International Organization for Standardization.
- EPAL Euro Pallet (EPAL 1) Technical Product Sheet : Official technical specifications citing 1,500 kg safe working load and 5,500 kg maximum bottom-pallet load when stacking laden pallets on a solid, even surface.
- EPAL 2 Industrial Pallet Technical Product Sheet : Official technical product sheet for the EPAL 2 industrial pallet (1200 × 1000 mm) with perimeter base frame.
- EPAL 3 Pallet Technical Product Sheet : Official technical product sheet for the EPAL 3 industrial pallet (1000 × 1200 mm) with reversed deckboard orientation.
- AS 4068-1993 Flat pallets for materials handling : Flat pallets for materials handling. Published 15-02-1993; formally withdrawn 11-11-2019. Historically specified the Australian footprint.
- CHEP Australia Wooden Pallet Product Specification (1165 × 1165 mm) : Commercial pooling specification for the standard Australian timber pallet format (1165 × 1165 × 150 mm).
Editorial & Engineering Disclaimers
Pallet load ratings for non-EPAL specifications (including standard GMA and generic square pallets) depend on lumber density, moisture content, deckboard stringer spacing, and fastener shear strength. Physical pallet integrity must always be validated against supplier load certifications or ASTM D1185 / ISO 8611 testing.
Related Freight Planning Guides & Tools
Pallet Packing Calculator
→Calculate how many cartons fit on standard GMA or Euro pallets, optimize tier arrangements, and inspect 3D cargo models.
Amazon FBA Pallet Requirements
→US fulfillment center standards for GMA Grade B/1A/1B pallets, 72″ height limits, 1,500 lb weights, and prep checklists.
53ft Trailer Pallet Capacity Guide
→Simulate straight, turned, and pinwheel loading patterns in 53ft semi-trailers with configurable overhang and payload limits.
CBM Calculator
→Calculate cubic meters across multi-line shipments and estimate 20ft/40ft ocean container and LCL utilization.
Dimensional Weight Calculator
→Calculate dimensional weight across freight and courier rules to avoid density and minimum cube surcharges.
Freight Linear Feet Calculator
→Calculate trailer linear footage occupied by standard pallets to avoid carrier cubic capacity and minimum density surcharges.
Pallet Shipping Guide
→Practical SOP covering stretch wrap standards, measuring pallet height, tender weight notation, and bill of lading accuracy.