Standard U.S. Pallet Dimensions: 48 × 40 Inches

A 48 × 40-inch footprint is a common U.S. pallet size. Its orientation may be written as 48 inches long × 40 inches wide or 40 × 48 inches. That converts to 4 × 3⅓ feet, about 121.9 × 101.6 cm, and a deck footprint of about 13.3 square feet. CHEP identifies 48 × 40 inches as the standard U.S. pallet size; the USDA Forest Products Laboratory notes that pallet dimensions are not common to every industry.

For the common 48 × 40-inch footprint, multiply each inch measurement by 2.54: 48 in = 121.92 cm and 40 in = 101.6 cm. In meters, that is approximately 1.219 × 1.016 m. The floor area is 1,920 square inches, or 13⅓ square feet. These conversions describe the pallet deck, not a load that overhangs it.

“48 × 40” identifies a footprint; it does not give a universal pallet height, load height or safe weight rating. Those depend on the pallet's material, construction, condition and handling equipment. Freight can also extend beyond the deck. Confirm the pallet and load specifications required by the carrier, rack, facility or shipping contract. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory explains that pallet size choices vary with carrier equipment, containers and industry requirements.