A 48x40 GMA pallet measures 48″ long × 40″ wide × ~6.5″ tall, has 7 top and 5 bottom deck boards, is four-way entry, and carries a 2,500 lb minimum load (about 2,800 lb racked, up to 4,600 lb dynamic, up to ~7,500 lb static for Grade A). Empty weight is roughly 30 to 48 lb. It is the standard Grocery Manufacturers Association pallet used in ~80% of US retail distribution.
48x40 GMA Dimensions and Construction
Table 1 — 48x40 GMA pallet spec sheet · as of June 2026
| Specification | Standard value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 48 in (1219 mm) | Stringer direction |
| Width | 40 in (1016 mm) | Deck-board length |
| Overall height | ~6.5 in (165 mm) | Top deck to floor |
| Entry | Four-way | Forks enter all 4 sides |
| Top deck boards | 7 | Two 5.5″ lead + five 3.5″ |
| Bottom deck boards | 5 | Two 5.5″ ends + three 3.5″ |
| Stringers (stringer style) | 3 | ~1.375″ × 3.5″ |
| Blocks (block style) | 9 | True four-way, no stringer notch |
| Empty weight | 30 – 48 lb | By species, grade, moisture |
Sources: PalletOne and PECO GMA spec sheets 2026; FreightAmigo and Repackify GMA dimension guides 2026; ISO 6780 / GMA standard. Empty weight: Repackify pallet weight guide (30-48 lb), ParcelPath (32-48 lb), Premier Handling Solutions spec listing (44 lb, new GMA-spec stringer).
48x40 Weight Capacity
A pallet has three load ratings, and the right one depends on how the pallet is used. The figures below are for a Grade A 48x40 GMA pallet. Capacity drops for Grade B and for softwood or worn units.
Table 2 — 48x40 GMA load capacity (Grade A) · as of June 2026
| Load type | Capacity | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Static | up to ~7,500 lb | Sitting on a flat floor |
| Dynamic | up to ~4,600 lb | Being moved by forklift / jack |
| Racked (edge-supported) | ~2,800 lb | On beam racking, unsupported center |
| Rated minimum | 2,500 lb | GMA minimum load standard |
Sources: GMA / industry load standards as compiled by Repackify and FreightAmigo, 2026. Racked capacity is the binding limit for most warehouse storage.
Grades: A vs B vs New
Table 3 — 48x40 grade comparison · as of June 2026
| Grade | Condition | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| New | Built to full GMA spec, unused | Export, food/pharma, one-way shipments needing clean wood |
| Recycled Grade A (#1) | Sound, clean, no major repair | Reusable in-house and outbound freight at full rated capacity |
| Recycled Grade B (#2) | Repaired, usable wear | Internal moves, lower-value freight, cost-sensitive runs |
| ISPM-15 heat-treated | Stamped, kiln/heat-treated | International export (required by most countries) |
Source: FPS product line, June 2026. New and recycled Grade A meet full 48x40 GMA load ratings; Grade B is derated for cosmetic and structural wear.
48x40 Pallet Weight Chart
Empty weight varies with how the pallet is built and how dry the wood is. Use these typical ranges as a planning guide and weigh a sample from your actual load when freight weight matters:
- Recycled 48x40 GMA stringer, dry: toward the lower end of the 30 to 48 lb range.
- New 48x40 GMA stringer, green lumber: toward the upper end, since fresh lumber holds more moisture.
- 48x40 block pallet: heavier than a stringer pallet because of the extra blocks and boards.
Sources: Repackify pallet weight guide (30-48 lb for a 48x40 wood stringer pallet), ParcelPath (32-48 lb), and a Premier Handling Solutions spec listing of 44 lb for a new GMA-spec stringer pallet. Wood block pallets of the same footprint typically weigh about 55-75 lb.
For how much a 48x40 pallet can carry rather than how much it weighs, see our pallet load capacity guide. Need pallets? Request a quote for new or recycled 48x40 GMA pallets, dispatched same day from Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami and Lakeland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of a 48x40 GMA pallet?
48 inches long by 40 inches wide, with a standard overall height of about 6.5 inches. It is the most common pallet in North America (~80% of US retail distribution). Four-way entry. The 48-inch dimension runs along the stringers; 40 inches is the deck-board length.
How many deck boards does a 48x40 GMA pallet have?
7 on top, 5 on the bottom. The top deck uses a 5.5-inch lead board at each end with five 3.5-inch boards between; the bottom uses a 5.5-inch board at each end with three 3.5-inch boards between the fork notches. Stringer GMA pallets ride on three stringers; block versions use nine blocks.
What is the weight capacity of a 48x40 GMA pallet?
A Grade A 48x40 carries a 2,500 lb minimum rated load, about 2,800 lb racked, up to 4,600 lb dynamic, and up to ~7,500 lb static. Capacity depends on grade, species, and condition.
What is the difference between Grade A and Grade B 48x40 pallets?
Grade A (#1) is sound, clean, and reusable at full rated capacity with no major repair. Grade B (#2) has been repaired and is usable but worn. New GMA pallets meet full spec; recycled Grade A is the closest reusable equivalent.
Is a 48x40 pallet the same as a GMA pallet?
In everyday use, yes. GMA is the Grocery Manufacturers Association standard pallet, which is the 48x40 four-way wooden pallet. Saying "GMA pallet" almost always means the standard 48x40.
How much does a 48x40 GMA pallet weigh?
An empty standard 48x40 GMA pallet weighs roughly 30 to 48 lb. Hardwood new pallets are heaviest; softwood and recycled are lighter. At ~40 lb each, a full truckload adds about a ton of tare weight.
How much does a 48x40 pallet weigh?
An empty 48x40 GMA wood pallet typically weighs roughly 30 to 48 lb. Dry recycled pallets sit at the lower end, while new pallets built from green lumber sit higher because fresh wood holds more moisture. Block-style 48x40 pallets weigh more than stringer pallets. For shipping calculations, weigh a sample from the actual load.
How tall is a 48x40 pallet?
A standard 48x40 GMA stringer pallet is about 6.5 inches tall. Height varies slightly with board thickness and stringer size, and block pallets can be a little taller. When planning trailer or racking height, add the pallet height to your load height and confirm the total against your carrier or customer limits.
Related
- Pallet Buy-Back Rates (what we pay per pallet)
- Custom Pallets
- ISPM-15 Export
- Florida Pallet Suppliers Hub