A two-way entry pallet can be lifted by forks from two opposite sides only. A four-way entry pallet has openings on all four sides, and the term is usually split into partial four-way (all sides for forklift tines, but only two for pallet jacks) and full four-way (all sides for both forks and pallet-jack wheels). The type determines which equipment can handle the pallet and how freely it can be moved in tight spaces.
What "entry" means
Entry describes the sides of a pallet through which the forks of a forklift or the legs of a pallet truck can be inserted. The question looks simple but has two parts: can the forks fit between the supports, and can the pallet jack's load wheels roll without being blocked? A pallet may accept forks on all four sides yet only allow pallet jacks on two, which is why three categories are used in practice.
The terms are part of the vocabulary defined by ISO 445; see pallet anatomy for the names of the parts that create openings.
The three entry types
| Type | Fork access | Pallet-jack access | Typical construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-way | Two opposite sides | Two sides | Solid stringers without cut-outs |
| Partial four-way (also called limited or notched four-way) | All four sides | Two sides | Stringer pallet with notches cut in the stringers |
| Full four-way | All four sides | All four sides | Block pallet, or a stringer pallet with deep openings and adjusted bottom boards |
Two-way pallets
A two-way pallet is usually a stringer pallet whose continuous stringers block the side openings. Forks enter between the stringers from either end. The design is simple, inexpensive and strong along the length of the pallet. For many closed-loop and one-way applications, with a single dock and forklifts working at the ends, two-way entry is entirely adequate.
Partial four-way pallets
Notches are cut into the lower edges of the stringers. Forks can then enter from the sides at the notches, but the notches do not usually allow the load wheels of a manual pallet jack to pass unless the bottom deck is also open, so jacks use only the two end openings. These pallets are common in North America, where forklifts dominate; the 48 × 40 in format is often notched. See the GMA 48 × 40 pallet.
Full four-way pallets
Block pallets such as the EPAL Euro pallet have an opening on each side between the blocks, and the bottom deck is arranged to permit pallet-jack wheels. Both forklifts and pallet jacks can enter from any side, which makes handling flexible. See stringer vs block pallets for how the construction differs.
Handling equipment compatibility
Different machines need different clearances:
- Counterbalance and reach forklifts have tines that must fit into the entry and under the top deck. They usually work with any of the three types, but the notched stringer may restrict how far tines can reach.
- Manual and electric pallet jacks have wheels at the end of the forks that go down at the bottom of the pallet. If the wheels meet a bottom board, the jack may jam or the pallet may be lifted unevenly. Bottom-deck design is therefore as important as the opening itself.
- Automated systems, such as automated storage and retrieval cranes, conveyors and driverless trucks, often require the pallet to be handled from a defined side and may require four-way entry and consistent bottom boards. See automated warehouses and pallets.
- Rack systems support pallets across beams, usually along a given axis. The entry type does not decide this, but the width and position of bottom boards does; see pallet racking systems.
Pallet-truck forks are designed to a standard width and length; if the pallet's bottom boards or blocks do not match them, a four-way label does not guarantee smooth handling.
Warehouse and transport implications
Entry type shapes how a facility works:
- Loading docks: two-way pallets must be approached from one of two directions, which can force orientation changes. Four-way pallets can be picked up lengthwise or crosswise, which helps in loading trucks, where the loading pattern matters. Loading patterns are covered in pallets in trucks.
- Aisle width: being able to approach from the side lets forklifts work in narrower spaces and tight corners, but it does not shrink the turning space that the truck itself needs.
- Pallet exchange: pools and exchange systems prefer pallets that any partner can handle with any equipment, which favors four-way pallets in Europe.
- Cost: adding notches or switching to blocks changes the cost; the extra handling flexibility often justifies it where pallet jacks are common, and not where only forklifts are used.
How to choose
Match the pallet to the least flexible equipment in the chain. If any partner uses pallet jacks, check whether the bottom deck and notches allow wheel passage. If pallets enter automated systems, request the system's requirements in writing. If everything is handled by forklift at one dock, a two-way pallet is often the cheapest valid choice.
A decision framework that includes entry, size, load and treatment is provided in how to choose a pallet.
Frequently asked questions
What does "four-way" mean?
Four-way means openings on all four sides. In a strict sense, the pallet can be lifted from any side by forks and, in the full version, by pallet jacks.
Can a pallet jack lift a notched pallet from the side?
Usually not. Notches let forklift tines enter, but the pallet jack's wheels typically need a clear path across the bottom deck, so jacks normally use the two end openings.
Are Euro pallets four-way?
Yes. The EPAL Euro pallet has a block design with openings on all four sides for forklifts and pallet jacks.
Is a two-way pallet weaker?
No. Entry type is a handling feature. Strength depends on materials, dimensions and fastening.
Sources
- ISO 445:2013 Pallets for materials handling — Vocabulary — International Organization for Standardization
- EPAL Euro Pallet (EPAL 1) technical data — European Pallet Association
- How Much Load Can My Pallet Carry? — Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design