A stringer pallet is supported by continuous full-length beams and is usually cheaper and faster to build, while a block pallet rests on separate blocks, giving four-way fork entry and a more uniform structure. Stringer pallets dominate North America with the 48 × 40 in format, and block pallets dominate Europe through the Euro pallet.
How each design works
Stringer pallets have two or more parallel beams, called stringers, running the full length of the pallet. Deckboards are nailed across the stringers at the top and, in double-deck designs, at the bottom. The most common version has three stringers: one at each edge and one in the center. Forks enter from the two ends, between the stringers.
Block pallets replace stringers with blocks, most often nine in a 3 × 3 pattern, and use stringerboards running over the blocks to join them. Because the spaces between blocks are open on all sides, forks and pallet trucks can enter from any direction. The EPAL Euro pallet is the best-known example, built from 11 boards, nine blocks and 78 nails. The part names for both are covered in pallet anatomy.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Stringer pallet | Block pallet |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Continuous beams (usually 3) | Blocks (usually 9) |
| Fork entry | Two-way, or partial four-way with notches | True four-way |
| Typical regions | North America, many export markets | Europe, and many industrial or automated users |
| Material per pallet | Generally less, plus simpler cutting | More components and nails |
| Build process | Simple, easily automated nailing | More complex assembly, dedicated lines |
| Repair | Easy for deckboards; stringer repair or replacement is a larger job | Straightforward, as blocks and boards are replaceable |
| Stability with pallet jack | Limited on partial four-way notches | Good from all sides |
| Common example | GMA 48 × 40 in | EPAL 1 (1200 × 800 mm) |
Neither design is inherently stronger. A well-built stringer pallet can carry heavy loads, and thin-walled block pallets can be weak. Load capacity depends on wood species, section sizes, fastener quality and how many boards and supports share the load.
Strength and handling
Stringers act as beams and carry load along their full length, so the pallet is stiff in the length direction and performs well in forklift handling from the ends. In racking, the pallet usually spans rack beams in the direction that matches its stiffest axis; see pallet racking systems.
Blocks carry load in compression to the lower deck, which suits pallet stacking and uniform floor contact. Block pallets also allow the pallet to be turned and picked up from any direction, a benefit in tight loading docks, automated storage cranes and conveyor systems. The entry classes are explained in two-way vs four-way pallets.
Load capacity is tested as static, dynamic and racking, using methods such as ISO 8611 or ASTM D1185. The Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design notes that wood pallets are high-stiffness designs, where load rating is driven mainly by strength tests, as compared with lower-stiffness plastic or corrugated designs where deflection often governs. See pallet load capacity for ratings.
Cost and manufacturing
Stringer pallets are the lowest-cost structural option in many markets. Cutting and nailing three stringers to a set of deckboards is a fast process that suits automatic nailing machines. A typical stringer line cuts lumber, notches the stringers when required, and nails a pallet in seconds.
Block pallets need more parts, and blocks must be cut, sometimes from lower-grade wood or pressed from chips. Assembly is typically done on a dedicated line with block-feeding systems, described in block pallet production lines. Higher component count and more nails per pallet raise material and labor content, although many producers find the result more consistent in dimensions.
Price is also driven by lumber cost, grade, treatment and region, which is why neither design is always cheaper. See pallet cost calculation for a method.
Repair, reuse and pooling
Both designs can be repaired. On a stringer pallet, broken deckboards are replaced, and a cracked stringer can be repaired with a replacement section or a plate. On a block pallet, boards and blocks can each be swapped. The Euro pallet system is built on repair, with licensed workshops following published rules. Repair of both is covered in pallet repair.
Standardization also helps pooling: the Euro pallet and the GMA pallet are both used in exchange pools because of their uniform sizes and widespread handling infrastructure.
When to choose which
Choose a stringer pallet when:
- cost per trip is the main concern, especially for one-way pallets;
- loads are handled mostly by forklifts from the ends;
- the local market and trading partners use 48 × 40 in or similar footprints.
Choose a block pallet when:
- pallet jacks must enter from any side, or automated storage and conveyors are used;
- pallets enter an exchange system based on Euro pallets;
- pallets are stacked frequently and require dependable corner support.
The decision is part of the process described in how to choose a pallet, which also covers load, size and treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is a block pallet stronger than a stringer pallet?
Not automatically. Strength depends on materials, dimensions and fastening. Block pallets give stable four-way access, while stringer pallets are stiff along their length.
Which pallet is cheaper?
Stringer pallets usually use fewer components and are quicker to make, so they are often cheaper. Local lumber prices and specifications can change this.
Are all block pallets four-way?
Standard block pallets with blocks in a three-by-three layout are four-way entry. A few unusual designs restrict access.
Which design is used in the United States?
The 48 × 40 in GMA pallet is typically a three-stringer design, although block pallets are also used.
Sources
- How Much Load Can My Pallet Carry? — Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
- EPAL Euro Pallet (EPAL 1) technical data — European Pallet Association
- ISO 445:2013 Pallets for materials handling — Vocabulary — International Organization for Standardization
- Pallet manufacturing explained — Fork Lift Training