How Much Does a Pallet Weigh and How Much Weight Can It Hold

If you’re wondering how much does a pallet weigh and how much weight can a pallet hold, this quick guide will walk you through everything you need to know. Here, we will review the different types of pallets, their weight capacities, and why does wooden pallets' weight changes in time.

Starting with the most important…

Types of Pallets and Their Weights

If you’re wondering what the different types of pallets are and how much does a pallet weight, you need to go through the different materials and designs. The standard pallet weight varies between 33 and 44 pounds; however, some plastic pallets' weight can be as low as 18 pounds.

Similarly, some metal and steel pallets can weigh between 80 and 120 lbs, and they can hold significantly more weight. However, the weight of a pallet depends on the material and design, so let’s learn more!

Types of Pallets By Material

There are three well-known pallets by material–wood, metal, and plastic.

Wood Pallets

Well, wood pallets are one of the most popular choices for freight shipping. Also known as GMA pallets in North America, they are known for their toughness and durability in different weather conditions during transportation.

The average weight of a wooden pallet is 30 to 70 lbs (13 to 32 kg), depending on the type and size. The most common size for a wooden pallet is 48 x 40, which falls between 35 and 50 lbs.

Metal Pallets

Metal pallets are very rare and mainly used for heavy-duty freight transportation. If compared to the traditional pallets, metal pallets are super tough and the heaviest–maximum pallet weight.

The average weight of a pallet made of metal/steel is anywhere from 70 to 150 lbs (32 to 68 kg), depending on how big they are. The go-to size is the typical 48 x 40 inches, falling in between 80 and 120 lbs, give it or take.

Plastic Pallets

The plastic pallets are the lightest and are pretty popular for shipping all kinds of freight. They’re tough in their own way and hold up nicely, no matter if it’s raining, freezing, or blazing.

The typical pallet weight by plastic material is 15 and 40 lbs (7 to 18 kg), depending on how they’re built and what size you’re looking at. Again, the standard pallet size is 40 x 48 inches, and those tend to land somewhere between 20 and 30 lbs, more or less.

Types of Pallets by Design

There are different types of pallets by design: block, stringer, double face/wing, and solid deck.

• Block Pallets - The block pallets are extremely sturdy, designed with parallel and perpendicular stringers, heavily varying in specialized configurations.

• Stringer Pallets - The stringer pallets use the so-called “boards” running between the top and bottom known as “stringers” and come in wood, metal, and plastic.

• Double Face Pallets - As the name suggests, double-faced pallets have decks both on top and on the bottom for strengthening the structure and weight distribution.

• Double Wing Pallets - The name comes from the winged appearance because the top and bottom decks extend beyond the stringers, designed for specific applications.

• Solid Deck Pallets - The solid deck pallets are superior when compared to the traditional pallets as the solid surface can support heavier and uneven freight.

You now know the different materials and types, and, therefore, how much does a standard pallet weigh. However, let’s next learn more about the wood pallet weight shifts occurring over time.

Why Does Wood Pallet Weight Change Over Time

You’ve probably noticed that the weight of a standard pallet made of wood changes over time. This happens because wood loves to soak up moisture, and in damp or rainy conditions, the wood pallets get heavier —sometimes by 10-20 lbs.

The wooden pallets are constantly getting damaged, such as knocked off splinters, making them lighter, but they can also pick up dirt or grease that adds a little weight. Hence, even if they have a standard pallet size and weight, with some moisture and wear, the weight always shifts a little.

How Much Weight Can a Pallet Hold

If you’re wondering how much weight can a standard pallet hold, the straightforward answer is 2500–3000 lbs. However, this depends on how you define “standard pallets”; hence, if you want to know how much weight does a pallet hold, you must know the exact material and pallet size.

The bottom line is–pick the right pallet type and size, or you’re in for a messy freight collapse!

Weight Capacity Based on the Type of Pallet

So, how much weight a pallet can hold isn’t just a straightforward answer — it’s all about the material and how it’s put together.

A wooden pallet might max out at a solid 3,000 lbs, which is great for most everyday loads. If you’re dealing with something heavier, metal or high-end plastic pallets can handle 5,500 lbs or even 17,000 lbs for the real heavy hitters.

If you’re curious to explore the max weight on pallets from different materials and sizes, we’ve prepared a weight limit breakdown in the table below.

Now you know exactly how much weight can a wooden pallet hold–a maximum of 3,000 lbs, which would be perfect for static loads.

However, if you have a dynamic load capacity with a weight going over 3,000 lbs, go with a metal/steel or plastic (heavy-duty) pallet, which has a much higher max weight for the pallet and load and unload.

Well, these were the regular pallet weights and how much they could carry!

Final Thoughts:

Well, after this guide, you should know the most important: how much weight can a wood pallet hold, and what type of pallet you need for your freight shipping. In addition, you now know the average pallet weight as per material and size and how much weight these pallets can support.

If you’re interested in freight shipping, we recommend using the FreightRun Quote Calculator to explore shippers for LTL, FTL, Parcel, or Vehicle transportation. Best of luck!