Glossary
GMA pallet
Also called: GMA 48x40, grocery pallet, 48x40 GMA
Reviewed
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.
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.