GMA pallet
A GMA pallet is the 48 x 40 in (1219 x 1016 mm) wood stringer pallet based on the 1992 Grocery Manufacturers Association specification. It has three notched stringers (partial four-way entry), 7 top and 5 bottom deckboards with 5-1/2 in lead boards, stands about 4.75 in tall and uses about 13.5 board feet and 84 nails.
Also called GMA 48x40, grocery pallet, 48x40 GMA
Reviewed
Typical GMA-style construction
| Part | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 48 x 40 in, stringers 48 in |
| Stringers | 3, about 1-1/4 to 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 in, notched |
| Top deck | 7 boards: 2 at 5-1/2 in, 5 at 3-1/2 in, about 5/8 in thick |
| Bottom deck | 5 boards: 2 at 5-1/2 in, 3 at 3-1/2 in |
| Top gaps | 3.25 in |
| Overall height | 4.75 in |
| Nails | 84 (48 top, 36 bottom), 2-1/4 in helical |
| Wood | 13.5 board feet |
| Weight | about 59 lb in green mixed hardwood |
Why it matters
The 48x40 is the most common North American pallet footprint, reported at about 30% of new US wood pallets, and GMA-style construction is what "standard pallet" usually means in US grocery and retail. It is partial four-way: forklifts from all sides, pallet jacks from the ends.
Load ratings
Vendor capacity claims for GMA pallets vary widely, because the design is loosely specified and species and nails differ. Treat any single number as illustrative and ask for a rating in your support condition, from a PDS analysis or a test. palletdesign.ai shows an indicative rack check for each design.
See GMA pallet, GMA standard and the 48x40 stringer page.
Questions
- How much does a GMA pallet weigh?
- About 59 lb in green mixed hardwood and about 37 lb once dried to 12% moisture content. Softwood versions are lighter.
- How much weight can a GMA pallet hold?
- It depends on the support condition and build. A PDS example GMA-style design rated 1,558 lb racked across its length and 5,223 lb stacked on the floor.
Related
- GMA pallet: the 48 x 40 grocery standardA GMA pallet is the 48x40 in stringer pallet from the grocery spec: 3 notched stringers, 7 top and 5 bottom boards, 84 nails, 4.75 in tall, about 59 lb green.
- GMA pallet specification (48 x 40 grocery pallet)The GMA pallet is a 48 x 40 in partial 4-way stringer pallet: 3 notched stringers, 7 top and 5 bottom boards, 5-1/2 in lead boards, about 4.75 in tall.
- 48 × 40 stringer pallet drawing and specs48 × 40 in stringer pallet: 4-3/4 in tall, about 59 lb, 84 nails, 13.5 board feet. To-scale drawing, parts list and cut sizes.
- Partial four-way entryPartial four-way entry: forklifts enter from all four sides, pallet jacks from two. Notched stringer pallets like the GMA 48x40 are partial four-way.
- Pallets for the grocery industryGrocery pallets are 48 x 40 in: a GMA-style stringer pallet or a pooled block pallet. Sizes, construction, retailer rules and what to put in the RFQ.
- Green lumberGreen lumber is wood that has not been dried, with moisture content above about 28%. Green mixed hardwood pallets weigh about 4.37 lb per board foot.