Pallet sizes
The five pallet footprints most used in export, with the number of each that fits a container. A EUR / EPAL pallet is 1200 × 800 mm, the UK / ISO pallet 1200 × 1000 mm, the US GMA pallet 48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm), and the square Asian and Australian pallets 1100 and 1165 mm.
Footprints to scale
Top views at one scale, long side horizontal, with the share of a 20GP floor each one uses.
Pallets per container
Single-stack floor positions by geometry, typical internal dimensions.
| Pallet | mm | inches | m² | 20GP | 40GP | 40HQ | 45HQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR / EPAL EUR / EPAL pallet | 1200 × 800 | 47.2 × 31.5 | 0.96 | 11 | 25 | 25 | 27 |
| ISO / UK ISO / UK pallet | 1200 × 1000 | 47.2 × 39.4 | 1.2 | 9 | 22 | 22 | 24 |
| US GMA US GMA pallet | 1219 × 1016 | 48 × 40 | 1.239 | 9 | 20 | 20 | 24 |
| Asia Asia pallet | 1100 × 1100 | 43.3 × 43.3 | 1.21 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 24 |
| Australia Australian standard pallet | 1165 × 1165 | 45.9 × 45.9 | 1.357 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 22 |
Next steps
Common questions
What is the standard pallet size?
There is no single world standard. In Europe it is the EUR / EPAL pallet, 1200 × 800 mm; in the UK 1200 × 1000 mm; in North America the GMA pallet, 48 × 40 in; in Asia the 1100 × 1100 mm square pallet is common, and in Australia 1165 × 1165 mm.
How many EUR pallets fit in a 40ft container?
25 on the floor by geometry in a typical 40GP or 40HQ, single stack. Many real loads achieve 23 or 24 because of corrugated walls and door frames.
Which pallet is best for containers?
Measured by floor use in a 20GP, the EUR pallet does well (11 pallets, 76 % of the floor) and the US 48 × 40 does worse (9 pallets, 80 %). But the right pallet is the one your customer's warehouse accepts.