Types of Pallets: Materials, Designs, and How to Choose

The right pallet supports your product through storage, handling, and transportation. Choosing it requires more than matching a footprint or comparing purchase prices.

The main types of pallets include wood, plastic, metal, molded wood, and paper pallets. Pallets are also classified by construction, such as stringer or block; condition, such as new or recycled; and application, such as export, display, or warehouse racking.

These categories overlap. One pallet can be wooden, recycled, built with stringers, and designed for four-way forklift entry.

This guide explains the different types of pallets, how they compare, and what to consider when selecting a pallet for your operation.

Types of Pallets at a Glance

table of types of pallets

Types of Pallets by Material

Wood Pallets

Wood pallets are widely used for manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. They can be built in standard or custom dimensions, and many designs allow damaged components to be replaced. Wood is often a practical choice when a business needs flexibility in pallet size, construction, sourcing, and repair.

  • Common applications: General freight, consumer goods, industrial products, and reusable pallet programs.

  • What to consider: Lumber quality, moisture, fasteners, deck spacing, cleanliness, and handling conditions all affect suitability.

Hardwood vs. Softwood Pallets

Hardwood pallets may use species such as oak or mixed hardwoods. Softwood pallets may use Southern Yellow Pine or spruce-pine-fir lumber.

Neither category determines load capacity on its own. Species, lumber grade, component dimensions, fasteners, and the complete pallet design must be evaluated together.

Plastic Pallets

Plastic pallets are available in reusable and lightweight shipping designs, including nestable, stackable, and rackable configurations.

They can be useful where consistent dimensions, moisture resistance, or repeated cleaning are priorities. However, a plastic pallet is not automatically suitable for every sanitation process or storage system.

  • Common applications: Food and beverage distribution, pharmaceutical logistics, manufacturing, and returnable shipping programs.

  • What to consider: Resin, temperature exposure, cleaning procedures, fire requirements, and application-specific load ratings. Confirm that the receiving facility accepts the selected design.

Metal Pallets: Steel and Aluminum

Metal pallets can support demanding applications where durability, repeated handling, or specialized cleaning requirements influence material selection.

Steel pallets are often considered for heavy industrial loads and long-term use. Their weight, finish, and corrosion resistance should be evaluated for the operating environment.

Aluminum pallets offer a lighter metal option and corrosion resistance. Upfront cost and the suitability of the specific design remain important considerations.

Metal does not establish a universal load rating. Capacity depends on construction and support conditions.

Explore steel pallets or read our aluminum vs. wood pallet comparison.

Molded Wood and Presswood Pallets

Molded wood pallets are formed from wood fibers or particles combined with a binder under heat and pressure. Many have a one-piece, nestable design that reduces the space needed to store empty pallets.

  • Common applications: Space-conscious shipping programs, selected export applications, and shipments where pallet recovery is unlikely.

  • What to consider: Moisture exposure, handling equipment, load distribution, and whether the model is approved for the intended storage arrangement. Do not assume a nestable pallet is rackable.

Paper, Corrugated, and Honeycomb Pallets

Paper pallets use engineered paperboard, corrugated material, honeycomb structures, or combinations of these materials.

Their low weight can be useful when reducing packaging weight is a priority. Suitability depends on the pallet design and the conditions throughout the shipment.

  • Common applications: Selected one-way shipments, air freight, retail programs, and controlled indoor environments.

  • What to consider: Humidity, water exposure, concentrated loads, repeated handling, and receiving requirements. Confirm the design’s tested capacity and local recycling acceptance.

Composite and Hybrid Pallets

“Composite pallet” can describe several material combinations. Some designs use wood-based composites, while others combine plastic, metal reinforcement, or multiple materials.

Ask for the actual material specification rather than relying on the category name. Construction affects performance, repair options, recycling, and export requirements.

Stringer Pallets vs. Block Pallets

Stringer and block describe the support structure beneath the pallet deck.

Stringer Pallets

Stringer pallets use parallel supports running along the pallet’s length. Deckboards attach across these supports to form the loading surface.

Unnotched stringers generally allow two-way entry. Notches can provide additional forklift access from the sides.

Stringer pallets can be designed for standard distribution or customized around a particular product and handling environment.

Block Pallets

Block pallets use blocks between the upper structure and bottom deck or base. Many designs provide access from all four sides. They are often considered when entry flexibility is important, including operations with frequent handling or constrained loading areas.

A block pallet is not automatically stronger than a stringer pallet. Both designs require evaluation against the actual load, equipment, and storage conditions.

Two-Way vs. Four-Way Entry Pallets

Pallet entry determines the directions from which equipment can approach and lift the pallet.

Table of Two-Way vs. Four-Way Entry Pallets

*Four-way entry does not guarantee that every piece of handling equipment can use every opening. Fork dimensions, wheel clearance, and bottom-deck configuration also matter.

Pallet Deck Designs

Single-Deck and Double-Deck Pallets

A single-deck pallet has one loading deck. A double-deck pallet has a top and bottom deck. The bottom structure can affect conveyor support, stacking, and equipment access. Choose it around the full handling process.

Reversible and Nonreversible Pallets

A reversible pallet has two decks designed to serve as the loading surface. A nonreversible pallet has a designated top deck.

Having boards on both sides does not necessarily make a pallet reversible.

Open-Deck and Solid-Deck Pallets

Open-deck pallets have gaps between boards or openings in the loading surface. Solid-deck pallets provide a more continuous surface. The appropriate choice depends on product support, package size, cleaning, drainage, and handling needs.

Flush and Wing Pallets

Flush pallets have deckboards that align with the outside supports. Wing pallets have deckboards extending beyond those supports.

Wing designs may be specified for particular handling or load-support requirements. Confirm any overhang in the pallet drawing.

Skids vs. Pallets

A skid generally has a top deck supported by runners without a bottom deck. Skids are often used as bases for machinery or other industrial products. Because terminology varies, include a drawing when ordering. Our skid vs. pallet guide explains the distinction.

New, Recycled, and Remanufactured Pallets

A pallet’s condition is separate from its material and design.

New Pallets

New wood pallets are built from new components. They may be appropriate when specifications require consistent construction, a custom footprint, or components with no previous service history.

Recycled and Repaired Pallets

Recycled pallets have been recovered for further use. They may be inspected and returned to service or repaired by replacing damaged components. They can be an economical option when their condition and specification meet the application.

Combination Pallets

Combination pallets use both new and reclaimed components. The final specification should identify the required construction and acceptable materials.

What About Grade A and Grade B Pallets?

Grade labels describe condition and repair characteristics, but definitions can vary among suppliers. Ask for written acceptance criteria covering repairs, board dimensions, cleanliness, and damage. A grade label alone does not establish load capacity. Learn more about pallet grades.

Types of Pallets By Size and Industry Specification

GMA Pallets

A GMA pallet commonly refers to the 48 × 40-inch footprint widely used in U.S. grocery and consumer-goods distribution.

The footprint alone does not define every construction detail. Confirm board dimensions, deck layout, repair acceptance, and customer requirements before ordering.

Euro and EPAL Pallets

The EPAL Euro pallet has an 800 × 1,200 mm footprint. Other European pallet formats also exist.

A pallet matching those dimensions is not automatically an EPAL pallet. EPAL-marked pallets belong to a defined quality and licensing system.

Confirm whether your customer requires a particular footprint, a certified exchange pallet, or another specification.

Chemical Pallets: CP1–CP9

CP pallets are a family of nine designs associated with chemical-industry logistics. They differ in dimensions and construction to accommodate different products and handling arrangements.

Select the required CP design based on the receiving specification and load. The CP designation alone does not establish compliance for transporting hazardous materials. Explore our CP1 pallet guide.

Half-Pallets, Quarter-Pallets, and Display Pallets

Smaller pallets can support retail displays, smaller deliveries, and products that do not require a full-size platform.

“Half-pallet” and “quarter-pallet” depend on the reference footprint. Specify exact dimensions and retailer acceptance requirements.

Custom Pallets

Custom pallets are designed around a particular product, load, machine, or shipping process. They may include unusual dimensions, added supports, blocking, or attachment points. Review pallet dimensions alongside your product footprint, equipment, and storage requirements.

Pallet Types by Application

Rackable Pallets

Rackable pallets are designed for specified rack-support conditions.Confirm the rack span, support direction, load distribution, and allowable deflection. A pallet that works on the floor may not safely support the same load across rack beams.

Stackable Pallets

Stackable designs support defined stacking arrangements. Distinguish between stacking empty pallets and stacking loaded units.

When loaded units are stacked, the packaging and product beneath the upper pallet must also support the arrangement.

Nestable Pallets

Nestable pallets fit partly inside one another when empty, reducing storage and return-transport space.

Nesting is an empty-storage feature. It does not establish loaded stacking or racking capacity.

Export and Heat-Treated Pallets

“Export pallet” describes intended use rather than a single material or construction.

Solid-wood packaging may need treatment and an authorized mark under ISPM 15, depending on the destination and applicable requirements. Both hardwood and softwood can fall within scope.

Heat treatment addresses pest risk; it does not make a pallet sterile or establish its load rating. Kiln drying alone should not be treated as proof of ISPM 15 compliance.

Packaging made entirely from qualifying processed wood materials may be exempt. Mixed constructions require closer review. Read about pallets and the ISPM 15 mark, and confirm destination requirements before shipping.

Food, Beverage, and Pharmaceutical Pallets

These applications may require specific cleaning, contamination-control, traceability, or customer-acceptance measures. “Food-grade pallet” is not a complete purchasing specification. Define the material, condition, cleaning process, and intended contact with products or packaging.

Drum, Heavy-Duty, and Specialty Pallets

Drums, machinery, irregular parts, and concentrated loads may require specialized support. A heavy-duty designation should be backed by a defined load and handling specification. Consider product contact points, restraint needs, and the way the pallet will be lifted and stored. Explore specialty pallet applications.

One-Way, Reusable, and Pooled Pallets

These terms describe how pallets are used and managed.

  1. One-way pallets are supplied for a shipment without a planned return to the sender. They still need to withstand the full handling and storage journey.

  2. Reusable pallets are intended for repeated trips, supported by inspection, recovery, and appropriate repair or replacement.

  3. Pooled pallets circulate through a managed network, typically remaining the property of the pooling provider. Participants follow the program’s requirements for use, reporting, and return.

6 Tips for Choosing the Right Type of Pallet

1. Define the Product & Unit Load

Document product dimensions, total weight, packaging, contact points, and load distribution. An evenly distributed load and a concentrated machine load can behave very differently, even when their total weights match.

2. Map Every Handling & Storage Step

Identify forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyors, automated equipment, racks, and stacking arrangements at the shipping and receiving facilities. Evaluate the pallet for its most demanding expected condition.

3. Confirm Dimensions & Customer Requirements

Record pallet dimensions separately from loaded shipment dimensions. Include drawings, tolerances, and any required receiver specifications.

4. Review Environmental Conditions

Consider moisture, temperature, cleaning chemicals, indoor or outdoor exposure, and contamination controls.

5. Compare the Relevant Load Ratings

Static, dynamic, and racking ratings describe different support conditions. Do not substitute one for another. Ask how each rating was determined and whether it matches your actual application.

6. Calculate the Total Cost

Include purchasing, handling, transportation, storage, repairs, recovery, losses, and product damage. A lower purchase price may not produce the lowest cost per successful shipment. Our pallet pricing guide explains the factors behind pallet costs

Compare Pallet Options With Olympic Forest Products

Olympic Forest Products helps businesses evaluate pallet choices around their products, facilities, and shipping requirements.

Whether you are comparing new and recycled wood pallets, considering plastic or steel, or developing a custom design, the starting point is the same: understanding how the complete load moves. Our unit load design analysis can help evaluate the relationship between the pallet, packaging, and product.

Share your dimensions, load weight, handling requirements, order volume, and delivery locations. Use our pallet quote preparation guide to gather the details. Contact Olympic Forest Products to discuss your pallet requirements.

FAQs About Types of Pallets

  • The main material categories are wood, plastic, metal, molded wood, and paper. Pallets are also classified by support structure, entry, deck configuration, condition, dimensions, and intended use.

  • Stringer pallets use continuous parallel supports beneath the deck. Block pallets use separate blocks to support the upper structure. Entry access and performance depend on the complete design.

  • There is no universal strongest pallet category. Materials, construction, load distribution, condition, and support arrangement determine capacity. Select a pallet rated or evaluated for your specific application.

  • Yes, when inspected, repaired as needed, and accepted for the intended load and receiving requirements. Confirm the actual specification rather than relying only on a grade name.

  • No. Some pallets provide four-way forklift access but more limited pallet jack access. Check entry openings, bottom boards, and wheel clearance.

  • Suitability depends on the destination, customer requirements, material, and construction. Solid-wood pallets may require ISPM 15 treatment and marking. Confirm current requirements for the shipment.

  • Type describes characteristics such as material or construction. Size describes dimensions. Two pallets with the same footprint can have different entry configurations, deck layouts, and load capacities.

  • Consider a custom pallet when available standard designs do not adequately support the product, fit handling equipment, meet receiving requirements, or use shipping space efficiently.