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Pallet Weight Calculator
Updated October 21, 2026
Pallet weight = boxes × weight per box + empty pallet weight. A 48×40 wood pallet itself weighs about 44–49 lb dry. 96 boxes of 20 lb on a 47 lb pallet weigh 1,967 lb (892 kg).
Pallet weight calculator
47 lb is an example tare for a 48×40 GMA wood pallet; wood weight changes with species and moisture, so weigh yours or use the supplier’s spec. 2,200 lb is one manufacturer’s dynamic (forklift) rating for a new GMA pallet; use your pallet’s own rating. The rating check compares the product load (not the pallet itself) with the rating.
How to calculate pallet weight
gross pallet weight = boxes × weight per box + empty pallet (tare) + wrap and other packaging. For freight, density is gross weight ÷ (length × width × height in inches ÷ 1,728) in pounds per cubic foot.
Worked example 1: 96 boxes of 20 lb on a 47 lb GMA pallet: 96 × 20 = 1,920 lb of product + 47 lb = 1,967 lb (892.2 kg). At 48 × 40 × 53.5 in the pallet is 59.44 cu ft, so density is 1,967 ÷ 59.44 = 33.1 lb/cu ft. Ten of them weigh 19,670 lb.
Worked example 2: 40 cases of 32.5 lb, a 47 lb pallet and 3 lb of wrap: 1,300 + 47 + 3 = 1,350 lb, or 612.3 kg.
How much does an empty pallet weigh?
| Pallet | Empty weight | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 48×40 GMA stringer, wood (dry, 12–25% moisture) | 44–49 lb | NWPCA Pallet Design System analysis of a GMA design |
| Same design at manufacture (green wood) | 63 lb | NWPCA Pallet Design System analysis |
| New 48×40 GMA wood pallet, one supplier’s spec | 55 lb | Nelson Company PWN-4840-GMA-S |
How much weight can a pallet hold?
Pallets carry three ratings. Static (sitting on the floor) is the highest, dynamic (moving on a forklift or pallet jack) is lower, and racking (supported only at the rack beams) is the lowest. One new 48×40 GMA wood pallet is rated 6,000 lb static, 2,200 lb dynamic and 2,000 lb racking (Nelson spec sheet); an NWPCA analysis of a GMA design gives a safe load of 5,264 lb stacked one high in warehouse storage. Ratings depend on the design and condition, so check your pallet’s spec.
Truckload weight
Federal rules cap trucks on the Interstate at 80,000 lb gross vehicle weight (23 CFR 658.17), which includes the tractor and trailer, so the cargo you can load is much less. To see how many pallets fit by floor space and weight, use the pallets per truck calculator; to plan the boxes on each pallet, use the pallet configuration calculator.
Figures as of October 21, 2026: pallet weights and safe load from an NWPCA Pallet Design System report for a GMA pallet (see NWPCA PDS); new-pallet spec from Nelson Company PWN-4840-GMA-S; truck limit from 23 CFR 658.17. 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg.
FAQ
How do I calculate the weight of a pallet?
Multiply the number of boxes by the weight of one box, then add the empty pallet (tare) and any wrap or packaging. 96 boxes of 20 lb on a 47 lb pallet weigh 1,967 lb.
How much does a standard 48x40 pallet weigh?
A 48×40 GMA wood pallet typically weighs about 44–49 lb when dry, according to an NWPCA Pallet Design System analysis, and more when the wood is green (63 lb at manufacture). One supplier lists its new GMA pallet at 55 lb.
How much weight can a pallet hold?
It depends on the pallet and how it’s supported. One new 48×40 GMA wood pallet is rated 6,000 lb static, 2,200 lb dynamic and 2,000 lb racking. Check your pallet’s spec sheet.
What is pallet density and why does it matter?
Density is weight per cubic foot: gross weight divided by length × width × height in inches ÷ 1,728. LTL carriers use it to set freight class and rates.
How do I convert pallet weight to kilograms?
Multiply pounds by 0.45359237. A 1,967 lb pallet is 892.2 kg.