Guides
Stringer vs block pallets: differences, strength and cost
Reviewed
A stringer pallet rests on continuous beams (usually three 48 in stringers) and gives two-way entry, or partial four-way with notches; a block pallet rests on nine blocks and gives full four-way entry for forklifts and pallet jacks. Stringer pallets use less lumber and cost less; block pallets are heavier, handle better and are the construction used by the big rental pools.
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Every wood pallet is one of two classes. The choice drives cost, weight, how equipment can pick it up and, often, how it racks.
What is the difference?
A stringer pallet has deckboards nailed across two or more continuous beams called stringers. A block pallet has deckboards nailed to stringerboards, which sit on blocks, usually nine in a 3 x 3 grid, with a bottom deck underneath.
| Stringer pallet | Block pallet | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Deckboards on continuous stringers | Deckboards on stringerboards on 9 blocks |
| Entry | 2-way; partial 4-way with notched stringers | Full 4-way |
| Pallet jack | From the two ends only | From all four sides, depending on the bottom deck |
| Typical 48 x 40 height | 4.75 in (5/8 decks, 3-1/2 in stringers) | About 5-3/4 in and up |
| Lumber | Less | More |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Racking | Stringers span the beams, so racking across the length is efficient | Depends on deckboard and stringerboard stiffness; confirm with the manufacturer |
| Repair | Simple: replace boards, add a companion stringer | More parts, but blocks and boards are replaceable |
| Typical uses | One-way and closed-loop shipping, most custom pallets | Pooled and rental pallets, retail distribution, EUR/EPAL |
Worked comparison: two 48 x 40 designs
The numbers below come from palletdesign.ai's default 48 x 40 builds, both in green mixed hardwood, to show the relative difference. They are not market figures.
| GMA-style stringer | Default block (perimeter base) | |
|---|---|---|
| Top deck | 7 boards, 5/8 in | 7 boards, 3/4 in |
| Base | 3 notched stringers, 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 | 3 stringerboards on 9 blocks, perimeter bottom deck |
| Height | 4.75 in | 5.75 in |
| Board feet | 13.5 | 21.9 |
| Nails | 84 | 75 |
| Weight, green | About 59 lb | About 96 lb |
| Indicative cost | About $15 | About $22 |
The block pallet uses about 60% more lumber, which is where most of the cost and weight difference comes from. See board feet, pallet weight and pallet cost.
Entry: two-way, partial four-way and full four-way
- Two-way: plain stringers. Forks and jacks enter only the two ends (the 40 in faces of a 48 x 40), between the stringers.
- Partial four-way: notched stringers. Forklifts can also enter the sides through the notches, but pallet jacks still enter only from the ends, because the stringers block the jack's wheels. See partial four-way entry.
- Full four-way: block pallets. Forks enter all four sides. Pallet jacks can enter any side where the bottom deck leaves room for the wheels to reach the floor, which depends on the bottom style. See pallet jack compatibility.
Block pallet bottom styles
| Bottom style | Layout | Jack access |
|---|---|---|
| Perimeter base | Boards around all four edges ("picture frame") | Wheels must cross an edge board; check which faces are accessible |
| Unidirectional | Bottom boards in one direction only | Jacks enter between the boards, parallel to them |
| Cruciform | Perimeter plus center connector boards | Similar to perimeter |
The EUR/EPAL 1 uses three bottom boards running one way. North American pooled block pallets typically use a perimeter-style base.
Strength: which is stronger?
Neither class is "stronger" in general; it depends on the support condition.
- Racked across the length, a stringer pallet's stringers act as continuous beams between the rack beams, which is efficient. Notches reduce this.
- Racked across the width, a stringer pallet relies on the top deck alone to span the beams, which is weak. A block pallet's stringerboards and blocks run both ways.
- Floor stacked, both perform well; the bottom deck design matters most for block pallets.
Always state capacity with its support condition, and get certified figures from a PDS analysis or a physical test. See pallet load capacity.
When to choose a stringer pallet
- Cost is the main driver
- Forklift from two ends (or all four via notches) is enough
- The pallet is single-use or runs in a closed loop
- The load is racked across the pallet length
- You need a custom size
When to choose a block pallet
- Pallet jacks must enter from all sides
- A pool, retailer or export standard requires it (for example EPAL)
- Heavy handling and many trips justify more lumber
- The pallet may be racked across either direction
Standard examples
| Pallet | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GMA 48 x 40 | Stringer | 7 top, 5 bottom boards, 3 notched stringers |
| EUR / EPAL 1 | Block | 1200 x 800 mm, 11 deckboards, 9 blocks, 78 nails |
| CP pallets | Block | Chemical industry, CP1 to CP9 |
| Skid | Stringer, no bottom deck | Machinery, crate bases |
Questions
- Which is cheaper, a stringer or block pallet?
- A stringer pallet. It uses less lumber, for example about 13.5 board feet for a GMA-style 48 x 40 versus roughly 22 for a typical 48 x 40 block design, so it costs and weighs less.
- Can a pallet jack go into the side of a stringer pallet?
- No. Even with notched stringers, a pallet jack enters only from the ends. Notches let forklifts enter the sides, which is why it is called partial four-way entry.
- Are CHEP and PECO pallets block pallets?
- Yes. The major North American rental pools use 48 x 40 block pallets for full four-way entry.
- Is a block pallet better for racking?
- It depends on direction. A stringer pallet racks efficiently across its length but poorly across its width; a block pallet can be racked either way, but its capacity depends on the deckboards and stringerboards. Confirm with the manufacturer.