Skid or pallet: what's the difference?
A skid is another name for a pallet in everyday use, but in shops it usually means a deck on runners with no bottom boards. A pallet normally has both a top and a bottom deck.
Two words, one family
People say skid to mean a pallet, and some buyers use the words as one. A pallet guide would say a skid has stringers or runners under a single deck, while a pallet has boards on the bottom as well. Ask what the person means before you quote a price.
| Skid | Pallet | |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom boards | None | Usually yes |
| Best for | Dense loads that go on the floor or a conveyor | Racked or wrapped loads |
| Handling | Forks and jacks go between runners | Forks and jacks go between stringers or blocks |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
Why a plant chooses a skid
- Machined parts or castings that need little footprint
- Crates built on the skid for export
- A shipper who wants the lightest base
- A load that will be moved once and cut apart
What a skid cannot do
Without bottom boards a skid has less stiffness. A rack beam can pull a loaded skid through the gap, and a loaded skid may flex on a conveyor. Stack a skid on another and the weight goes through the runners.
For a skid built to a drawing, see skids and the cutting-list tool. To compare with the usual build, open stringer versus block.
Why the words confuse people
In one dock the word skid means a pallet. In another it means a low base under a machine. Dictionaries use both. A pallet guide would say a skid has no bottom boards, and a buyer reading a quote should check which meaning the seller has in mind.
- Ask for a sketch or a photograph
- Ask whether the bottom has boards
- Ask how it is lifted: forks, jacks or a crane
- Give the weight of the load
A rule of thumb
If the load goes into a rack or on a conveyor, ask for a pallet. If the load is a single heavy piece or a crate that a fork will lift once, a skid will do. If unsure, describe the load and the handling and let the builder choose.
The shop view and the dock view
In a machine shop a skid is a low platform that a part sits on while it is moved. In a distribution dock a skid is just a pallet. A buyer who meets a plant that uses the word must find out which meaning is in play.
A skid is lighter than a pallet, since it has no bottom deck. It also has less stiffness. For a dense part that rests in a few spots, a skid with the right runners is stronger per pound of wood than a pallet. For a load of cartons that need support across their whole area, a pallet is better.
The skids page covers buying, and the types hub draws each build.
Names to expect in a quote
- Pallet: deck on stringers or blocks with bottom boards
- Skid: deck on runners, usually without bottom boards
- Base: the part of a crate that touches the floor
- Platform: a loose word for any of them
Why the difference matters in a quote
A skid and a pallet can be priced very differently, so a request that uses the two words loosely invites a wrong quote. State the footprint, whether the underside needs bottom boards, and how the load will be lifted.
If the load will only ever be moved by a forklift from the long side, and will stay on the floor, a skid may be enough. If it may be lifted from any side or by a pallet jack, ask for a pallet. When unsure, describe the handling and let the builder suggest one.
A note on terms
Different docks use the words in different ways, and a few use them interchangeably. Rely on the footprint, the weight and a photograph, not on the name alone.
Where each one ends up
Skids often finish their life as crating bases or one-way floor supports. Pallets are more likely to circulate between docks and be repaired.
Terms follow common shop usage. Last reviewed 12 November 2026.
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Last reviewed 12 November 2026.