Pallet types
Pallets come in two builds, stringer and block, and two entry types, two-way and four-way. A stringer pallet lifts from two sides unless its stringers are notched; a block pallet can be lifted from all four. This page sorts them out and links each build.
Block against stringer
| Stringer pallet | Block pallet | |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Three or more parallel timbers, called stringers | Blocks, with parallel and perpendicular stringers |
| Forks enter | Two sides; four if the stringers are notched | Any side |
| Typical weight | Lighter | Usually heavier and more durable |
| Repair | Replace boards, add a companion stringer | Replace boards, replace a block |
| More on it | Stringer pallets | Block pallets |
Frame descriptions follow the Wikipedia pallet article.
Two-way and four-way entry
Entry is the question of where a forklift or pallet jack can go in. Two-way means two opposite sides. Four-way means all four. Block pallets are four-way by design. A stringer pallet is two-way unless the stringers are notched, as in the fork-pocket profile on our logo; then it can be lifted from the sides as well.
The practical difference is the dock. A narrow aisle or a tight alley rewards four-way. A dock that only ever approaches from the front does not care. Two-way and four-way pallets goes through it in more detail.
Heat-treated is a treatment, not a type
HT is not a pallet type. It is a treatment applied to the wood so the pallet can cross a border. Any of the builds above can be heat treated and stamped. See heat-treated pallets.
What to tell us
- The type you hold or want, if you know it. If you do not, say how the forks enter.
- The size. See pallet sizes.
- The grade. See pallet grades.
- Whether you sell or buy, and how many.
Weights, loads and the stamp on the side
| Figure | Reference value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard wood GMA pallet, empty | 33 to 49 lb | Interlake Mecalux |
| Reinforced wood pallet, empty | 55 to 66 lb | Interlake Mecalux |
| Dynamic load | 2,000 to 2,800 lb | Interlake Mecalux |
| Static load | 2,500 to 4,600 lb | Interlake Mecalux |
| Metal pallets, share of the market | Under 1% | Wikipedia |
How the market describes a pallet in shorthand
Dealers compress a description into a few words: “48x40 GMA, four-way notched, B grade, HT”. Each part tells you something. The size is 48 by 40 inches, the build is a stringer with notches, the grade is B and the pallet carries the heat-treatment stamp. If a seller cannot give you the shorthand, ask for the parts.
How to choose
Pick by the load and by the equipment. A heavy or racked load wants a block pallet. A light flow of one-way freight is fine on a stringer pallet. If forks must enter from all sides, you want four-way entry. Say what your load and your equipment are, and the right build follows.
The three pages
- Block pallets: blocks between the decks.
- Stringer pallets: boards running the length.
- Four-way entry: forks from any side.
In this section
- Block palletsBlock pallets enter from all four sides and carry heavier loads. Where they are used around DC and how to buy or sell them.
- Stringer palletsStringer pallets are the common 48x40 build: three boards under the deck, notched or not. How to tell one and what grade it is.
- Two-way and four-way palletsTwo-way pallets lift from two sides, four-way from all four. What changes for a forklift, a pallet jack and the price of the load.
Questions
- What is the difference between a block pallet and a stringer pallet?
- A stringer pallet is built on parallel timbers and lifts from two sides unless notched. A block pallet sits on blocks and can be lifted from all four sides.
- Which is stronger?
- Block pallets are usually heavier and more durable. Strength depends on the build and the condition of the wood, not the name alone.
- How much does a pallet weigh?
- A standard wood GMA pallet weighs 33 to 49 lb empty; reinforced ones weigh 55 to 66 lb.
Related
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-11-11.