Standards
GMA pallet specification (48 x 40 grocery pallet)
Reviewed
The GMA pallet is the 48 x 40 in grocery-industry stringer pallet from the 1992 Grocery Manufacturers Association spec. A typical build has 3 notched stringers (about 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 in), 7 top and 5 bottom deckboards 5/8 in thick with 5-1/2 in lead boards, partial 4-way entry, and an overall height of 4.75 in.
On this page
What the GMA spec covers
The GMA pallet takes its name from the Grocery Manufacturers Association, whose 1992 grocery pallet spec settled the construction most US consumer goods still ship on. It is a 48 x 40 in stringer pallet with notched stringers for partial 4-way entry. The footprint is also 1219 x 1016 mm in ISO 6780. Trade sources estimate that about 30% of new US wood pallets are 48 x 40.
"GMA" is used loosely. Many buyers mean "any 48 x 40 stringer pallet"; others mean the full construction below. Put the construction on the RFQ rather than relying on the name. See the GMA pallet type page for grades and use.
GMA-style construction
The dimensions below are a widely published GMA-style build from PDS example sheets.
| Component | Qty | Size (T x W x L or W x H x L) |
|---|---|---|
| Top lead boards | 2 | 5/8 x 5-1/2 x 40 in |
| Top interior boards | 5 | 5/8 x 3-1/2 x 40 in |
| Bottom lead boards | 2 | 5/8 x 5-1/2 x 40 in |
| Bottom interior boards | 3 | 5/8 x 3-1/2 x 40 in |
| Stringers, notched | 3 | 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 x 48 in |
Derived numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall height | 4.75 in (5/8 + 3-1/2 + 5/8) |
| Top deck gaps | 3.25 in, ends flush, interior equally spaced |
| Bottom deck | interior boards clustered between the notches, 3.75 in gaps |
| Stringer positions | edges flush, center at 19-5/16 in; 17.94 in clear bays |
| Notches | 2 per stringer, 9 in long, 1-1/4 in deep, 6 in from each end, 3/4 in radius |
| Nails | 84: 48 top, 36 bottom (3 per lead-board joint, 2 per interior joint) |
| Board feet | 13.5 (4.9 top, 3.7 bottom, 4.8 stringers) |
| Weight | About 59 lb in green mixed hardwood; about 37 lb at 12% moisture |
Stringer widths from 1-1/4 to 1-3/8 in are common, and deck thickness varies around 5/8 in. The PDS example uses 2-1/4 in x 0.112 in helically threaded nails.
Why the bottom boards are clustered
On a notched GMA-style pallet, the bottom interior boards are grouped in the middle, between the two notches. That leaves a 9.5 in opening under each notch, so fork tines entering from the side pass through the notch without hitting a bottom board. A bottom board under a notch blocks side entry.
GMA load ratings: treat vendor numbers with care
Vendors publish conflicting GMA load ratings, for example racked capacity quoted anywhere from 2,500 to 2,800 lb and static from 5,500 to 7,500 lb. These are marketing numbers. Actual capacity depends on species, grade, nail quality and support condition. As one documented reference point, a PDS v5.2 analysis of a GMA-style pallet at 1,500 lb, medium load variability, dry service gave 1,558 lb racked across the length (44 in span), 1,630 lb racked across the width, and 5,223 lb stacked one high. If capacity matters, ask for a PDS analysis or an ASTM D1185 test for your load and support.
GMA vs block pallets on the same 48 x 40 footprint
| GMA-style stringer | 48 x 40 block (pooled style) | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Partial 4-way: forklifts from all sides, pallet jacks from the ends only | Full 4-way |
| Bottom deck | 5 boards, interior boards clustered between notches | Perimeter base |
| Typical buyer | Grocery and general freight, one-way or reused | Pooled systems (CHEP, PECO) |
| Racking across width | Only the top deck spans the beams | Deck and stringerboards span |
See stringer vs block pallets for the full comparison.
Who uses GMA pallets
Grocery and consumer packaged goods, retail distribution and most general freight in the US. Recycled GMA-style pallets are sold as Grade A (#1) and Grade B (#2). Some large retailers require pooled block pallets instead, so check the receiver's guide.
How it shows up on a spec or drawing
A GMA spec sheet reads like: "48.00 x 40.00, Stringer-Class, Double-Face Non-Reversible, Partial 4-Way, Reusable, New Manufacture". It then lists each board group with count, thickness, width and length, the stringers with notch depth, length, location and radius, the fastener spec and the lumber mix.
How palletdesign.ai uses it
The 48 x 40 GMA template is palletdesign.ai's default design, and it reproduces the numbers above: 4.75 in tall, 3.25 in top gaps, 84 nails, 13.5 board feet and about 59 lb in green mixed hardwood. It also runs an indicative beam check on the notched stringers racked across the length to catch clearly weak designs. That check is a deliberately conservative screen, not a rating; ratings come from a PDS analysis or physical testing.
Questions
- What are the dimensions of a GMA pallet?
- 48 x 40 in and about 4.75 in tall: 3 notched 1-3/8 x 3-1/2 in stringers, 7 top boards and 5 bottom boards, all about 5/8 in thick.
- How many nails are in a GMA pallet?
- A typical GMA-style build uses 84 nails: 48 in the top deck and 36 in the bottom, with 3 per lead-board joint and 2 per interior joint.
- How much weight can a GMA pallet hold?
- It depends on the support condition and materials. One PDS analysis rated a GMA-style pallet at 1,558 lb racked across its length and 5,223 lb stacked one high on the floor; vendor claims vary widely.
- How much does a GMA pallet weigh?
- About 59 lb new in green mixed hardwood and about 37 lb once dried to 12% moisture.