The block pallet, drawn exploded
A block pallet sits on a grid of blocks, three by three on a standard build, so a fork can enter from any side.
- Size
- 48x40, 48x48, Euro
- Build
- Block
- Entry
- Any side
- Grade
- A, new
- Trades
- Chemical, export, automated
The parts
- Nine blocks in a 3 by 3 grid
- Three stringer boards, running across the deck boards, that tie the blocks together
- Top deck boards
- Bottom deck boards
Why the openings are bigger
Because the blocks are separate, the space between them is open all the way around. A pallet jack, a fork or an automated vehicle can approach from the end or the side. That matters on a busy dock where there is no time to turn a pallet.
Where it gets used
Block pallets are the habit of chemical and export shippers, and the Euro pallet is a block design. They tend to be heavier and more durable than plain stringer pallets, and the build is harder to repair on site.
| Question | Block | Stringer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Any of four sides | Two sides unless notched |
| Repair | Replace a block or board | Plate or plug a stringer |
| Typical grade | New or A | A, B or C |
| Best for | Heavy, racked, automated | General freight |
For the long read, see stringer versus block. To spec a block pallet with its parts, use the cutting-list tool, which lays out a 3 by 3 block at 5.5 inches square.
Why blocks are harder to repair
A cracked block is not a long timber that can take a plate along its length. It is a short chunk that has either held or split, and the pieces on either side depend on it. A shop usually knocks the block out and fits a new one, which is more work than a plug.
Load notes
Block pallets have more points of support, and a heavy rack load sits on nine blocks, not three timbers. For heavy or racked loads, ask for the rated capacity in writing from the builder. Standard GMA stringer pallets support 2,000 to 2,800 pounds under dynamic loading; a block pallet may differ.
For a 48 by 48 chemical pallet see 48x48, and for an export build see the Euro size.
A nine-block count
The standard block pallet uses nine blocks, each 5.5 inches square on nominal sizing, with stringer boards joining them in two directions. The extra wood explains the extra weight.
Block pallets in export
Block builds are common in export because they hold their shape through repeated handling, and the Euro pallet is a block design. A shipper who sends goods to Europe may meet block pallets on arrival and may be asked to match them.
The grid of nine
Three rows of three blocks: four at the corners, four at the middles of the edges and one in the centre. Take the centre block out and the pallet loses its strength at the middle, which is where a heavy load sits. Never accept a block pallet with a missing or cracked centre block.
Where block pallets earn their price
A block pallet is the usual choice for heavy loads, for pallets that go through automated lines and for any use where four-way entry matters. Blocks carry load directly, so the frame resists racking better than a stringer pallet of similar size.
The extra cost is real, so ask whether the application needs it. A light carton load that moves by forklift rarely does.
Source: Wikipedia, "Pallet" (read 10 November 2026).
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