Euro pallets, also known as EPAL pallets, are standard pallets that have been widely used in Europe for many years. They are among the most commonly used pallets for the transport and storage of goods. What sets Euro pallets apart are their standard dimensions, which are specified in the European standard UNE-EN 13698-1.
Would you like to find out what the dimensions of a Euro pallet are, how much they weigh, and what their key features are? If so, read on!
What are the dimensions of a Euro pallet? According to the standards, Euro pallets must measure 1200 x 800 mm. It is precisely these standardised dimensions of 1200 x 800 mm that make Euro pallets the most popular type of pallet in Europe. The height of a Euro pallet is 144 mm.
A standard Euro pallet weighs around 25 kg if it is made of wood. However, it is worth noting that plastic pallets are also available on the market today. Such pallets, measuring 1200 × 800 mm, weigh less – as little as around 9 kg.
The standard dimensions of a pallet are 1200 x 800 x 144 mm. This size gives it a load capacity of between 1000 and 1500 kg, depending on how the load is distributed. The static load capacity, however, is 4000 kg when the load is stored without being moved.
Euro pallets measure 1200 x 800 mm, which, when multiplied, gives us 0.96 m². Therefore, the surface area of a Euro pallet is 0.96 m².
We owe the standard dimensions of the Euro pallet to the European Pallet Association, which was founded in 1991. Although the dimensions of the standard pallet have remained unchanged since the 1950s, it was only the standardisation body that ensured that only pallets of specific dimensions could bear the EPAL mark.
The Euro pallet was designed to meet the need for standardised pallet sizes. Using this type of pallet makes it much easier to retrieve stored pallets, as well as to store and transport them. The standard dimensions of a Euro pallet are also compatible with most warehouse racking systems.
The dimensions of a standard Euro pallet and an industrial pallet are standardised, meaning they are always the same. However, when people refer to the ‘dimensions of a standard pallet’, they are referring to a Euro pallet, which is smaller than an industrial pallet. For this reason, a Euro pallet can withstand a dynamic load of up to 1,000 kg, whereas an industrial pallet can withstand up to 2,000 kg.
The standard pallet dimensions are 120 x 80 x 14.4 cm, where the length and width are 120 x 80 cm and the height is 14.4 cm. These Euro pallet dimensions, combined with the sharp upper edges of the runners, make it much easier to remove stored pallets, as well as to transport and store them. Euro pallets are designed to fit most storage systems and forklift trucks.
The dimensions of an industrial pallet are 1200 x 1000 mm or 1200 x 800 mm, with a height of 144–162 mm. There are also large pallets measuring 1200 x 1200 mm. Interestingly, metal is sometimes used in the manufacture of this type of pallet.
Other types of wooden pallets are also available on the market, such as GMA pallets. These are used to transport goods, mainly in the USA. Their dimensions are 1219 mm x 1016 mm (48 inches x 40 inches). It is also worth mentioning disposable pallets, which can be of any size. As they are not returnable, they are tailored to individual requirements.
Choosing the right type of pallet depends on a number of factors, including the type of goods being transported. The standardised size of the Euro pallet makes transport and storage easier.
The dimensions of a Euro pallet are set out in a European standard, so they are always the same. It does not matter whether the EUR pallet is made of wood or plastic – the dimensions of a Euro pallet are always 1200x800x144 mm. This also means that we know that a lorry with a trailer can hold 33 Euro pallets, and a shipping container can hold 4–5 Euro pallets.
Please also bear in mind that whilst the size of Euro pallets is standardised, their weight is not. Weight also affects a vehicle’s load capacity, which is why plastic pallets are increasingly being chosen for transport. Such a pallet is the same size as a Euro pallet but weighs significantly less, thereby reducing transport costs. That is why choosing the right pallet is crucial for the entire supply chain.
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