Pallet types
Reversible pallet: identical top and bottom decks
Reviewed
A reversible pallet is a double-face pallet whose top and bottom decks are identical, so it can be loaded on either face. The matching bottom deck adds lumber and nails, and on a stringer pallet it usually covers the notch zones, so most reversible stringer pallets are 2-way.
On this page
What is a reversible pallet?
A reversible pallet is the "double-face reversible" deck style in the Uniform Standard. Both decks have the same board count, sizes and spacing, so it does not matter which side is up. That removes one handling mistake (loading a pallet upside down) and gives the pallet a second wearing face.
How a reversible pallet is built
Take a 48 x 40 in stringer pallet with seven 5/8 in top boards. The reversible version mirrors them underneath:
| Part | Non-reversible (GMA-style) | Reversible |
|---|---|---|
| Top boards | 7 | 7 |
| Bottom boards | 5, clustered | 7, evenly spaced |
| Nails at 3 per lead and 2 per interior joint | 84 | 96 |
| Deck lumber | About 8.7 board feet | About 9.9 board feet |
| Entry | Partial 4-way (notched) | Usually 2-way |
The extra two bottom boards land in the notch zones. With 7 evenly spaced boards on a 48 in stringer, the second board sits between about 8-3/4 and 12-1/4 in from the end, right where a standard notch 6 to 15 in from the end would be. That is why reversible stringer pallets are usually built with unnotched stringers, giving two-way entry.
Reversible block pallets exist too, with identical deck mats top and bottom.
When to use a reversible pallet
- Heavy, long-life closed loops where the pallet will be flipped and reused many times.
- Loads that can arrive on either face, where operators should not need to check which side is up.
- Uniform support on both faces, for example when the pallet sits on a conveyor or on top of another load with the same bearing surface each time.
When not to use one
- General grocery and retail. A non-reversible GMA pallet meets the need with less lumber.
- Pallet-jack handling. A full bottom deck leaves few openings for the wheels.
- Four-way forklift entry on a stringer pallet, since the bottom boards block the notches.
Reversible vs non-reversible double-face
| Reversible | Double-face non-reversible | |
|---|---|---|
| Faces usable | Both | Top only |
| Lumber and nails | More | Less |
| Entry (stringer) | 2-way | Partial 4-way possible |
| Pallet jack | Poor | Yes, with chamfered bottom leads |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
How to specify a reversible pallet
- Deck style: double-face reversible.
- Deck boards (both faces): count, thickness, widths, spacing.
- Stringers or blocks: count and section; notched or not.
- Fasteners per joint on each face.
- Lumber species, grade and moisture.
- Load, stacking height, rack direction and handling equipment.
In palletdesign.ai, set the bottom deck to the same count and widths as the top with an even layout; the drawing, nail schedule and board feet update, and the rules flag any bottom board that lands under a notch.
Questions
- What is the difference between a reversible and a non-reversible pallet?
- A reversible pallet has identical top and bottom decks and can be used either way up. A non-reversible pallet has a lighter bottom deck and only one load face.
- Can a reversible pallet be 4-way?
- A reversible block pallet can be 4-way for forklifts. A reversible stringer pallet is usually 2-way, because the full bottom deck covers where the notches would be.
- Are reversible pallets stronger?
- They carry more lumber in the bottom deck, which helps durability and stacking, but rack capacity still depends mainly on the stringers or blocks and deck boards. Compare by support condition.