If you handle freight, stock, or bulky inventory anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area, the pallet under your load quietly decides a lot: how your goods move, how many units fit in a storage container or trailer, and how safely a pump truck can shift them. Get the size right and everything downstream runs smoother. Get it wrong and you lose floor space, pay for wasted trips, and fight loads that never quite fit.

The good news is that most of North America runs on one footprint. This guide covers the standard pallet size in Canada, the other sizes you will run into, how pallets are built and graded, what they weigh and carry, and the part most articles skip: how many pallets actually fit inside a 20 or 40 foot container or a 32, 48, or 53 foot storage trailer. That last piece is where pallet math meets real storage decisions for GTA businesses.

What is the standard pallet size in Canada?

The standard pallet size in Canada is 48 inches long by 40 inches wide (1219 mm by 1016 mm), the same 48×40 footprint used across North America. It is known as the GMA pallet, named after the Grocery Manufacturers Association that popularized it. A standard wooden pallet stands about 4.5 to 6 inches tall and weighs roughly 30 to 48 pounds empty.

Canada follows the North American norm rather than the European one, so when a Toronto supplier, distributor, or retailer says “a standard pallet,” they almost always mean 48×40. It became the default because it fits neatly through most warehouse doorways, sits well on standard racking, and matches the fork spread on the majority of pallet jacks and forklifts.

The 48×40 GMA pallet explained

The 48×40 measurement describes the deck footprint, not the height of a loaded unit. The 48 inch dimension is the length, measured along the stringers or the direction a forklift usually enters. The 40 inch dimension is the width. That gives a footprint of about 13.3 square feet, which is why planners often estimate roughly one standard pallet per 13 to 14 square feet of floor once you leave room to move around it.

You will sometimes see the same pallet written as 40×48. It is the same board, just described width first. Nothing about the pallet changes; only the way someone orients it when they load a truck or a container.

Standard pallet size in metric, imperial, and feet

Because Canadian shipping paperwork mixes units, it helps to have the standard footprint in every form you might need:

How tall and how heavy is a standard pallet?

On its own, a standard wooden pallet is about 5.5 inches tall, made up of top deck boards, the stringers or blocks in the middle, and bottom boards. Empty weight lands somewhere between 30 and 48 pounds for a typical stringer pallet. Heavier block pallets and hardwood builds can run 45 to 70 pounds. When you plan the height of a loaded unit for a container or trailer, remember to add the pallet height to your stacked goods so the total clears the door and the ceiling.

Standard pallet sizes chart: North America and beyond

48×40 is the default, but it is not the only size in circulation. Different industries settled on their own footprints for good reasons, usually tied to the product they carry. Here are the sizes you are most likely to meet in Canadian and international freight.

The International Organization for Standardization recognizes six pallet footprints under ISO 6780, which is why so many “standard” sizes exist side by side. For most GTA operations that ship and store domestically, you will spend almost all of your time with the 48×40 and the occasional half pallet for retail displays.

Pallet types: how pallets are built and classified

Two pallets can share the exact 48×40 footprint and still behave very differently. Construction, material, and entry style all matter when you are loading, racking, or moving stock with a pump truck.

Stringer pallets vs block pallets

Stringer pallets use three parallel boards, called stringers, running between the top and bottom decks. They are the classic, lower-cost wooden pallet. Most are two-way entry, meaning a forklift or pallet jack can only enter from two sides, though notched stringers allow partial four-way access.

Block pallets use a grid of blocks, usually nine, instead of long stringers. That gives true four-way entry from all sides, better strength, and easier handling, which is why they suit high-throughput and automated operations. The trade-off is a higher price and more weight.

Wood, plastic, metal, and pressed pallets

Wood is still the workhorse. It is cheap, repairable, and easy to source across Ontario. Plastic pallets cost more up front but wash clean, weigh a consistent amount, and last for years, which is why food, pharmaceutical, and closed-loop operations favour them. Metal pallets handle extreme loads and harsh environments. Pressed or moulded pallets are light, nestable, and often used for one-way export because they sidestep some of the wood treatment rules covered later in this guide.

New, recycled, and reconditioned pallets

Pallets are also sold by grade. A number 1 or grade A pallet is structurally strong with no repairs or minor ones, close to new condition. A number 2 or grade B pallet has been repaired and shows wear but still carries a normal load. New pallets cost the most and offer the cleanest appearance for customer-facing shipments. Recycled and reconditioned pallets stretch a budget and keep serviceable wood out of the landfill, which suits internal storage and rougher freight.

Are all pallets the same size?

No. While 48×40 is the North American standard and the most common size you will handle, pallets come in many footprints. Industries adopted sizes that suit their products, such as 42×42 for telecom and paint, 48×48 for drums, and 48×20 half pallets for retail displays. International trade adds Euro and ISO sizes on top.

This matters more than it sounds. If your racking, your storage container, or your trailer was planned around 48×40 and a supplier ships you 48×48 drums or oversized Euro pallets, your carefully calculated capacity drops and loads can hang over the edges. Knowing what is arriving lets you plan the space before the truck shows up.

Standard pallet vs Euro pallet

The most common point of confusion for importers is the difference between the North American standard and the European standard. They are not interchangeable, and the mismatch changes how many fit in a container.

If you regularly import from Europe on Euro pallets, factor the smaller footprint into your storage plan. It changes the count per row and can leave awkward gaps in a container built around 48×40 math.

How much does a standard pallet weigh and hold?

Empty weight is only half the story. What a pallet can carry depends on how the load is supported, and there are three ratings worth knowing.

These are typical figures, not guarantees. The real limit depends on the wood species, board thickness, fastening, and condition of the pallet. Always work to the rating for the specific pallet you are using, and treat a damaged or repaired pallet as weaker than a new one. When you move a fully loaded pallet, the dynamic rating is the number that keeps you and your equipment safe.

How many pallets fit in a storage container or trailer?

This is where pallet size stops being trivia and starts affecting your budget. If you are renting storage to hold palletized inventory, the footprint of a 48×40 pallet decides how many units go in a unit and whether you are paying for space you cannot use.

The counts below assume standard 48×40 pallets, floor-loaded in a single layer, with normal aisles left for access. They are approximate because orientation, pinwheeling, and whether goods can be double-stacked all change the total. For exact interior widths and heights, check our full guides to shipping container sizes and storage trailer sizes, since a few inches of interior width decides whether you get two pallets across or one.

Pallets in a 20 or 40 foot container

A 20 foot container typically holds about 10 to 11 standard pallets floor-loaded, and a 40 foot roughly doubles that to around 20 to 21. If your goods stack safely, double-stacking can nearly double those numbers again, which is often the difference between renting one unit and two. Containers suit long-term, weathertight storage of palletized stock, and you can compare the interior specs in our storage container lineup or on the main containers page.

Pallets in a 32, 48, or 53 foot trailer

Storage trailers give you a raised deck and quick access, which many contractors and retailers prefer for active inventory. A 53 foot trailer holds roughly 26 to 30 standard pallets in a single floor-loaded layer, a 48 foot holds around 24 to 26, and a 32 foot holds about 14 to 16. Straight-loading with pallets facing the right way squeezes out the most positions. See the full storage trailer options or the trailers page to match a length to your pallet count, and if you are torn between the two formats our guide on choosing a container, a trailer, or both walks through it.

Do not forget vertical space

Floor count is only the first layer. If your product is sturdy and you can safely stack pallets two high, most of these numbers roughly double. Just watch the loaded height against the interior clearance, and keep heavier pallets on the bottom. Not sure how much room your stock really needs? Our guide on what size storage unit you need helps you translate inventory into square footage.

Moving and handling pallets safely

Once the pallets are sized and the storage is booked, the daily reality is moving them without wrecking your back or your goods. The right equipment does most of the work.

Using a pump truck or pallet jack

A manual pump truck, also called a pallet jack, is the everyday tool for shifting a loaded 48×40 pallet across a warehouse, a loading dock, or the floor of a storage trailer. The forks slide into the pallet openings, a few pumps of the handle lift the load, and you wheel it where it needs to go. Our step-by-step guide on how to use a pallet jack safely covers the technique in detail. Match the truck to the load: a 2000 kg pump truck handles lighter stock, the standard 2500 kg pump truck suits most general freight, and a 3000 kg pump truck covers the heaviest pallets. Tight aisles call for a narrow 21 inch pump truck, while long or oversized loads pair well with an extended 72 inch pump truck. Browse the full pump truck range to size one to your pallets.

Hand trucks and dollies for partial loads

Not everything moves on a full pallet. For broken cases, single cartons, and awkward items, a two-wheel hand truck or a platform dolly is faster and easier than fighting a pallet jack. The full hand trucks and dollies category has options for different weights and shapes.

Push, do not pull, and mind your body

Moving a loaded pallet is a real physical task, and the way you do it matters. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recommends pushing rather than pulling a wheeled load whenever possible, keeping the load close, and using your legs instead of your back. You can read their guidance on pushing and pulling loads and on manual materials handling. Keep pump truck forks fully under the pallet before lifting, move at a walking pace, and never park a loaded jack on a slope.

Securing palletized loads in transit

If pallets are travelling rather than just sitting, they need to be held in place. Shrink wrap keeps the individual load together, and inside a trailer, load bars stop rows from shifting and toppling when the vehicle stops or turns. A pallet that slides is a pallet that damages product and puts anyone opening the doors at risk.

Wood pallets and international shipping rules

One detail catches exporters off guard. Solid wood packaging used in international shipping, including most wooden pallets, must be heat treated or fumigated and stamped with the IPPC mark under the ISPM 15 standard. The treatment kills pests that could travel in the wood. In Canada the program is overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the marked pallets are widely available.

The practical takeaways: domestic shipping within Canada does not require ISPM 15 treated pallets, but cross-border and overseas shipments usually do. Pressed, moulded, plywood, and plastic pallets are generally exempt because they are processed rather than solid raw wood. If you export, ask your supplier for heat treated pallets carrying the stamp, and keep the paperwork.

Choosing the right pallet size for your GTA operation

For most Toronto-area businesses, the answer is simple: stick with 48×40 unless a specific product or customer demands otherwise. It is the easiest size to buy, replace, rack, and move, and it matches the storage math above. Reach for another size only when there is a clear reason, such as retail half pallets for in-store displays or Euro pallets tied to European suppliers.

Where pallet size really pays off is in planning your storage. A contractor keeping palletized materials on a job site, a retailer holding seasonal inventory, or a distributor smoothing out peak season all benefit from matching pallet counts to the right unit. Deciding whether that storage lives at your location or ours is its own question, and our comparison of on-site versus off-site storage lays out the trade-offs. Moving companies gearing up for busy months can also see our list of supplies to keep in stock.

Storing palletized inventory in the GTA

If your pallets are stacking up faster than your floor space, a storage container or trailer is often the cleanest fix. You get secure, weather-resistant room sized to your pallet count, delivered where you need it. Before you book, it is worth reading what to look for when renting a container and getting a sense of current rental costs so there are no surprises. For an overview of the whole approach, our guide to mobile storage and the mobile storage page explain how portable units work across the GTA.

Toronto Trailers supplies storage trailers and containers across Toronto, Woodbridge, Vaughan, and the wider GTA, along with the warehouse supplies and pump trucks that make palletized storage practical. If you want help matching your pallet count to the right unit, get in touch with our team and we will point you to the size that fits.

Frequently asked questions about standard pallet sizes

What is the standard size of pallets in Canada?

The standard pallet size in Canada is 48 inches by 40 inches (1219 mm by 1016 mm), the same GMA footprint used across North America. It stands about 5.5 inches tall and weighs roughly 30 to 48 pounds empty. Canada follows the North American standard rather than the European one.

What are the standard pallet sizes?

The main North American standard is 48×40 inches. Other common sizes include 42×42 for telecom and paint, 48×48 for drums, 40×48 for military and cement, and 48×20 half pallets for retail. International trade adds Euro pallets at 800×1200 mm and other ISO 6780 footprints.

What is a standard pallet size in LxWxH?

A standard GMA pallet is about 48 inches long, 40 inches wide, and 5.5 inches tall on its own (1219 x 1016 x 140 mm). The height refers to the empty pallet deck. Add the height of your stacked goods to work out the total loaded height for a container or trailer.

How heavy is a 40×48 pallet?

An empty 48×40 wooden pallet weighs about 30 to 48 pounds (14 to 22 kg). Heavier block or hardwood pallets can reach 45 to 70 pounds. A 40×48 pallet is the same pallet described width first, so the weight is identical.

How much weight can a standard pallet hold?

A standard 48×40 wooden pallet holds up to about 4,600 pounds static (sitting still), around 2,500 pounds dynamic (while being moved), and roughly 2,800 pounds on racking. Actual limits depend on the wood, build, and condition, so use the rating for your specific pallet.

Are all pallets a standard size?

No. While 48×40 is the most common size in North America, many industries use their own footprints, and international trade uses Euro and ISO sizes. Always confirm the size of incoming pallets before planning racking or storage so loads do not overhang or waste space.

What are the three main types of pallets?

By construction, the two main wooden types are stringer pallets and block pallets. By material, the three most common types are wood, plastic, and metal. Wood is cheapest and most common, plastic suits hygienic and closed-loop use, and metal handles the heaviest or harshest loads.

What is the difference between a stringer and a block pallet?

A stringer pallet uses three parallel boards and is usually two-way entry, meaning equipment enters from two sides. A block pallet uses a grid of blocks, allows true four-way entry from all sides, and is stronger. Block pallets cost more but handle better in high-volume and automated settings.

What is the ideal pallet width?

For North American operations the ideal width is 40 inches, the width of the standard 48×40 GMA pallet. It fits standard racking, doorways, and pallet jack fork spreads. Choose a different width only when a specific product, rack system, or export market requires it.

Does a standard pallet fit in a pickup truck?

A 48×40 pallet fits in most full-size pickup beds, though the tailgate usually has to stay down and the pallet may sit at an angle. It will not fit flat between the wheel wells of many mid-size trucks. For more than one or two pallets, a trailer or container is far more practical.

What size is a warehouse pallet?

A warehouse pallet in North America is almost always the standard 48×40 GMA pallet. It is designed to fit standard racking bays, forklift forks, and pallet jacks, which is why warehouses standardize around it for storage and picking.

How many pallets fit in a 20 foot container?

A 20 foot container holds about 10 to 11 standard 48×40 pallets floor-loaded in a single layer. If your goods can be safely double-stacked, capacity nearly doubles. Orientation and load type affect the exact count, so treat 10 to 11 as a planning figure.

How many pallets fit in a 53 foot trailer?

A 53 foot trailer holds roughly 26 to 30 standard 48×40 pallets in a single floor-loaded layer, depending on orientation. Straight-loading with pallets turned the efficient way reaches the higher end. Double-stacking sturdy goods can increase the total further.

What is the difference between a standard pallet and a Euro pallet?

A standard North American pallet is 48×40 inches (1219×1016 mm). A Euro pallet (EUR 1) is 31.5×47.24 inches (800×1200 mm) and is the European norm. The smaller Euro footprint fits differently in containers and racking, so importers should plan storage around whichever size actually arrives.

What is ISPM 15 and do I need it?

ISPM 15 is the international standard requiring solid wood packaging, including most wooden pallets, to be heat treated or fumigated and stamped with the IPPC mark for international shipping. Domestic Canadian shipping does not require it, but cross-border and overseas shipments usually do. Plastic and pressed pallets are generally exempt.

How much floor space does a standard pallet take up?

A 48×40 pallet has a footprint of about 13.3 square feet. Once you leave room to access and move it, planners often allow roughly 13 to 14 square feet per pallet position on the floor, more if you need wide aisles for a pump truck or forklift.