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Standard Pallet Dimensions by Region (GMA, EUR, ISO 6780)

Pallet footprint decides how many units fit in a container, a trailer or a rack bay, and it differs by region. This reference lists the common pallet sizes in millimetres and inches with floor area, so you can compare options before you pack.

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Pallet	Size (mm)	Size (inches)	Floor area (sq m)	Where it is common	Note
GMA / ISO 1	1219 x 1016	48 x 40	1.24	North America	Most common US grocery and industrial pallet
EUR / EUR 1 (EPAL)	1200 x 800	47.2 x 31.5	0.96	Europe	Exchange pool pallet
EUR 2 (EPAL 2)	1200 x 1000	47.2 x 39.4	1.20	Europe, UK, general export	Common in Europe and the UK
EUR 3 (EPAL 3)	1000 x 1200	39.4 x 47.2	1.20	Europe	Same footprint as EUR 2, turned 90 degrees
EUR 6 (half pallet)	800 x 600	31.5 x 23.6	0.48	Europe, retail	Half of an EUR 1 pallet
Quarter pallet	600 x 400	23.6 x 15.7	0.24	Europe, retail displays	Quarter of an EUR 1 pallet
Asia / T11	1100 x 1100	43.3 x 43.3	1.21	Japan, Korea, parts of Asia	Common Asian size
Australian Standard	1165 x 1165	45.9 x 45.9	1.36	Australia	Designed for Australian rail and racking
ISO 1067 square	1067 x 1067	42 x 42	1.14	North America, some industries	used for drums and some chemicals
ISO 1140 square	1140 x 1140	44.9 x 44.9	1.30	Some Asian and European trades	Used in some trades
US drum pallet	1219 x 1219	48 x 48	1.49	North America	Common for drums and bulky industrial goods

Floor area is length times width, rounded to two decimals. Overall pallet height depends on the load, not the pallet. Confirm sizes with your carrier and receiving site, and check rack opening sizes before choosing a footprint.

Pack data review for your ERP

Optional: we can look at how pallet and pack configuration is stored in your ERP and where it drives shipping.

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How to use this table

Search by region, size or name. Compare the footprint with your carton dimensions to find the layout with the least wasted space, then check the floor area against the vehicle. Export the rows to Excel and add your own columns for cartons per layer and layers per pallet. Pick the footprint your customer's warehouse and racking actually handle: a perfect load plan on the wrong pallet size is still a problem on the receiving dock.

Match the pallet to the receiving site first.
Use floor area to estimate pallets per trailer or container.
Remember overhang: loads that hang over the edge can be damaged and may be rejected.

Standards behind the sizes

ISO 6780 lists a small set of flat pallet sizes for intercontinental use, including 1200 by 800, 1200 by 1000, 1219 by 1016, 1100 by 1100, 1140 by 1140 and 1067 by 1067. The EUR pallet, standardised by EPAL and UIC rules, is the main European exchange pallet. In practice, trade between regions still involves slip sheets, repalletising and transfer fees when exchange pools differ.

Container fit and common mistakes

A 40ft container floor is about 12 m by 2.35 m, so roughly 23 EUR 1 pallets can be loaded in a combination of orientations, while about 20 GMA pallets fit with some wasted width. A 1200 by 1000 pallet gives a good fit for 20ft boxes in pinwheel layout. Frequent mistakes are choosing a footprint by habit, stacking on non-uniform pallets and forgetting the weight limit of the lowest pallet in a stack.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common pallet size in the world?

There is no single global size. The GMA 48 by 40 inch pallet dominates North America, the 1200 by 800 EUR pallet and the 1200 by 1000 pallet dominate Europe, and 1100 by 1100 is common in parts of Asia. Many exporters therefore ship on the customer's local size.

How many pallets fit in a 40ft container?

Typically 20 to 21 pallets of 1219 by 1016, and 23 to 25 EUR 1 pallets depending on loading pattern. Real numbers depend on the container's internal dimensions, the pallet orientation and whether you can stack. Always check against a load plan.

Are EUR pallets and standard US pallets interchangeable?

No. They have different footprints, so racks, conveyors and trucks designed for one often waste space with the other. Goods may need to be repalletised at the border, which adds cost and time and risks product damage.

Do I need ISPM 15 treated pallets?

If you export on solid wood pallets to most countries, yes. The wood must be heat treated or fumigated and carry the ISPM 15 mark. Plastic, metal and engineered wood pallets are generally exempt from that rule, but check the importing country's requirements.

If your ERP stores pack and pallet data per item, Netray can help build a check that flags items packed on the wrong footprint for a given customer or lane.

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