Dimensions and ratings
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Length by width | 48 x 40 in (1,219 x 1,016 mm) |
| Height | 5.5 to 6 in (140 to 150 mm) |
| Usable surface | About 1.23 sq m (13.3 sq ft) |
| Weight, standard | 33 to 49 lb (15 to 22 kg) |
| Weight, reinforced | 55 to 66 lb (25 to 30 kg) |
| Dynamic load | 2,000 to 2,800 lb (900 to 1,270 kg) |
| Static load | 2,500 to 4,600 lb (1,100 to 2,100 kg) |
A typical GMA pallet weighs 37 lb and a height of 6.5 inches, so figures vary by source; use these as ranges.
Why 48 by 40
The 1960s GMA pallet was a 48-inch by 40-inch platform with four-way entry. Nine 16 by 12 inch boxes fit on each layer of it, a fit that drove carton sizes across the grocery trade. ISO accepts the CBA's 48 x 40 specification as the North American standard size.
How it is built
Three stringers run the 48-inch length, topped and bottomed with deck boards. Notches in the stringers allow four-way entry, whereas a plain two-way pallet can only be lifted by the deck boards. For an alternative construction see block or stringer.
Is the GMA name an official standard?
No. The organisation no longer governs pallet specifications; the name survives as shorthand.
How tall is a GMA pallet?
About 5.5 to 6 inches, depending on the source and the build.
Buying or selling 48 x 40 stock starts on the 48 x 40. The quote form takes the request.
Why 48 by 40 stuck
A size becomes a standard when everyone downstream builds for it. Trailers, containers, racking bays and conveyor lanes were all sized with the 48 x 40 in mind, so it is the footprint that wastes the least space across the most equipment. That network effect, more than any rule, is why other sizes stay specialist.
What the name does not promise
Calling a pallet a GMA pallet tells you the footprint and the general layout: stringers running the long way, notched for four-way entry on better builds. It does not tell you the grade, the lumber species, the board count, the weight or whether it was treated. Two pallets sold under the same name can differ a great deal.
- Ask for the footprint in inches, not just the name.
- Ask for the grade separately.
- Ask whether it is a stringer or a block build.
- If it is going overseas, ask about the stamp.
Once those four are written down, a supplier of any kind can answer in one reply.
Is GMA a rule or a habit?
A habit that became a convention. The footprint is accepted as the North American standard, but no rule forces anyone to build to it.
Why do some pallets measure 48 x 40 and still not fit?
Because height, board spacing and stringer layout vary. Footprint is only one dimension of fit.
Do suppliers all mean the same thing by GMA?
Usually the footprint only. Grade, build and treatment still need to be stated.