Standards
ANSI MH1: US standard for pallets, slip sheets and bases
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ANSI MH1 is the American National Standard for pallets, slip sheets and other unit-load bases, with editions in 2016 and 2021. It covers definitions, standard sizes, wood pallet construction, export, driven fasteners, a nail quality protocol, test procedures, slip sheets, military pallets and automated handling.
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What ANSI MH1 covers
ANSI MH1 is the American National Standard for pallets, slip sheets and other bases for unit loads. It is developed through the material handling industry and published in multiple parts. The 2016 and 2021 editions cover:
| Part topic | What it addresses |
|---|---|
| Definitions | Common vocabulary for pallets and unit-load bases |
| Sizes | Recommended footprints for the US market |
| Wood pallets | Construction and quality for wood pallets |
| Export | Requirements for pallets leaving the country |
| Driven fasteners | Nails and staples used in pallet assembly |
| Nail quality protocol | How to verify fastener quality |
| Test procedures | Methods for measuring pallet performance |
| Slip sheets | Paper and plastic sheet bases |
| Military | Pallets for defense logistics |
| Automated handling | Pallets for conveyors and automated storage |
The standard is sold through ANSI and is not free to read, so this page describes its scope rather than its text.
Common US pallet sizes
A published summary of MH1 reports that 48 x 40 and 40 x 48 together make up over one third of pallets produced, that ten other sizes each exceed 1%, and that about 100 sizes are in use. The typical uses below come from secondary sources, not the standard itself.
| Size (in) | Metric (mm) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 48 x 40 | 1219 x 1016 | Grocery, consumer goods, retail |
| 42 x 42 | 1067 x 1067 | Telecom, paint |
| 48 x 48 | 1219 x 1219 | Drums (four 55-gal) |
| 40 x 48 | 1016 x 1219 | Military, cement |
| 48 x 42 | 1219 x 1067 | Chemical, beverage |
| 40 x 40 | 1016 x 1016 | Dairy |
| 48 x 45 | 1219 x 1143 | Automotive |
| 44 x 44 | 1118 x 1118 | Drums, chemical |
| 36 x 36 | 914 x 914 | Beverage |
| 48 x 36 | 1219 x 914 | Beverage, shingles, paper |
Note the order: MH1 and the wood pallet industry state length first, where length runs along the stringers. A 40 x 48 is a different pallet from a 48 x 40 because its stringers are 40 in long.
Who uses ANSI MH1
- Buyers and packaging engineers picking a US footprint that fits common racking and trailers.
- Pallet makers referencing its definitions and fastener provisions alongside the Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets.
- Fastener suppliers and pallet plants using its nail quality protocol, which relies on tests such as ASTM F680.
- Military and government shippers using its military part together with contract specs.
How ANSI MH1 relates to other standards
| Standard | Relationship to MH1 |
|---|---|
| ISO 6780 | International footprint list; 48 x 40 and 42 x 42 appear in both |
| Uniform Standard | Detailed North American wood pallet rules for grades, tolerances and nails |
| ASTM D1185 | Laboratory test methods for pallet performance |
| GMA | A specific 48 x 40 grocery design that uses an MH1 footprint |
Why a standard footprint saves money
Standard sizes fit standard rack bays, trailer widths and conveyor lanes, and mills cut the same deckboard and stringer lengths every day. A non-standard size can be the right answer for a product, but check the rack beam spacing, trailer loading pattern and handling equipment before committing. See choosing a pallet size and pallets per truckload.
Common size mistakes
- Swapping length and width. A 40 x 48 and a 48 x 40 are different pallets. State which dimension the stringers run along.
- Rounding metric conversions. 48 x 40 in is 1219 x 1016 mm, not 1200 x 1000. The two are close but not interchangeable in tight racking or automated lanes.
- Leaving out height. MH1 sizes are footprints; give the overall height and fork opening too.
- Assuming export compliance. A standard size says nothing about ISPM 15 treatment, which must be specified separately. See ISPM 15.
How it shows up on a spec or RFQ
An RFQ may list ANSI MH1 as a target standard alongside the Uniform Standard or a customer spec. In practice MH1 shows up most as the footprint and orientation (L x W), the fastener type and quality requirements, and any automated-handling constraints such as flatness and bottom-board orientation.
How palletdesign.ai uses it
palletdesign.ai generates drawings, parts lists, weights and indicative costs for the common MH1 sizes listed above, each with stringer, block and skid versions. The engine always treats the first number as the stringer length, matching MH1 practice, so 48 x 40 and 40 x 48 produce different designs. Nail counts follow the Uniform Standard Table 5 minimums. See pallet dimensions explained.
Questions
- What is ANSI MH1?
- The American National Standard for pallets, slip sheets and other unit-load bases. It covers definitions, sizes, wood pallets, export, fasteners, nail quality, test procedures, slip sheets, military pallets and automated handling.
- What is the most common pallet size in ANSI MH1?
- 48 x 40 in. A published summary reports that 48 x 40 and 40 x 48 together make up over one third of pallets produced.
- Is a 40 x 48 pallet the same as a 48 x 40?
- No. The first number is the stringer length, so a 40 x 48 has 40 in stringers and 48 in deckboards. It handles and racks differently.