48×40 Pallet Weight and Weight Capacity – Complete Guide
48×40 is the most common size for pallets in North America. It is also referred to as GMA (Grocery Manufacturers
Wooden pallets are the most common in the North American market. They are durable, easily available, and inexpensive. You must know their weights to calculate the freight cost calculations, plan warehouse storage, distribute the load, and comply with industry regulations.
A wooden pallet with medium thickness will weigh between 30 and 70 lbs (13 – 32 kg). However, it will vary depending on pallet size, moisture content, wood type, design, and structure. For example, hardwood and softwood have different weights.
Hardwood pallets made from Oak, Maple, and Hickory wood weigh between 40 and 70 lbs (18–32 kg) with a 3,000 – 4,500 lbs load capacity. Softwood pallets made of pine, cedar, Spruce, and Fir weigh 30-50 lbs (13–23 kg) with a 2,000 – 3,000 lbs load capacity. Get ideas about how much does a wooden pallet weigh in 3 simple steps.
| Size (inches) | Pallet Weight (lbs) | Load Capacity (lbs) |
| 24″ x 24″ | 14 | 1,000 |
| 30″ x 30″ | 22 | 1,200 |
| 36″ x 36″ | 32 | 2200-3500 |
| 40″ x 40″ | 28 | 2,500 |
| 40″ x 48″ | 40 | 4600 |
| 42″ x 31″ | 31 | 6,585 |
| 42″ x 42″ | 35 | 3700 |
| 47″ x 32″ | 32 | 5000 |
| 48″ x 36″ | 35 | 3500-5000 |
| 48″ x 40″ | 35-40 | 2,500 – 4,600 |
| 48″ x 42″ | 42 | 2000-5000 |
| 48″ x 45″ | 44 | Small loads |
| 48″ x 48″ | 40 | 3,700 – 4,600 |
Softwood pallets are lighter than hardwood pallets. Softwoods like pine weigh 30-50 lbs whereas hardwoods like oak weigh around 40-70 lbs.
The design impacts the pallet weight as well. For example, a simple 48 by 40 inches stringer pallet weighs 40 lbs whereas a wooden block pallet will weigh 65 to 75 pounds. The additional blocks and robust construction increase the overall weight. Learn more about the 48*40 weighs guide.
Moisture increases the overall pallet weight. Dry wood is lighter compared to wet wood. A kiln-dried pallet will weigh around 30 lbs, whereas a green, wet wood pallet will weigh up to 50-70 lbs.
The pallet condition plays a vital role in determining the pallet weight. The standard wooden pallet weight is 30 and 70 lbs. However, it may weigh less due to broken parts or more due to waterlogged.
The standard thickness of a 48×40″ GMA (Grocery Manufacturers Association) is 3 1/2″ wide by 5/16″ thick. However, some pallets use more thickness to increase the weight capacity. It will increase the weight as well.
Heat treatment (ISPM-15 compliance) dries the wood and thus reduces the overall weight. Chemical treatments, on the other hand, increase the weight by 1–3 lbs due to adsorbed compounds. Similarly, coatings and sealant add 1–5 lbs depending on application thickness.
Some transportation authorities, such as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), or international bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), impose weight limitations on trucks and shipments. It is done to ensure road safety and infrastructure integrity.
Heavier pallets increase the chance of injuries in workplaces. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) imposes some limitations on weight in the workplace. A 48×40 wooden pallet at 35–40 lbs is easily manageable for a single worker. However, more than that will exceed the threshold and require mechanical assistance like forklifts.
Businesses can optimize shipping costs by picking lightweight pallets. Softwood pallets are cost-friendly. However, they are not durable. The opposite goes for hardwood floors.
Heavier pallets require a higher cost to ship, increasing overall freight charges. Air or long-haul trucking charges $0.50–$1.00 per extra pound.
48×40 is the most common size for pallets in North America. It is also referred to as GMA (Grocery Manufacturers
Knowing pallet weight is important for freight cost calculations, warehouse storage planning, load distribution, and compliance with industry regulations. Accurate