{"id":1433,"date":"2019-01-18T09:39:57","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T17:39:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.speedrackwest.com\/?p=1433"},"modified":"2025-08-18T13:54:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T13:54:58","slug":"pallet-rack-sizes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.speedrackwest.com\/blog\/pallet-rack-sizes\/","title":{"rendered":"Standard Pallet Rack Sizes: How to Find the Right Size of Pallet Rack"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Choosing the right size of pallet racking<\/a> can save your company a tremendous amount of money, make your workplace safer, and increase the company\u2019s efficiency. Though the task can seem daunting at first, we can help identify the perfect pallet rack in four easy steps.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How to Know What Size Pallet Racking You Need<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Step 1: Identify the size and weight of your pallets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The standard pallet is 48-inches deep by 40-inches wide, though pallets come in a variety of dimensions. So, measuring your pallets is a critical first step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How heavy is your average pallet?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How heavy is your heaviest pallet?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Write down these numbers – we’ll need them later in step 4! These two weights are key factors in determining what load capacity is right for your racks. Going over the load capacity limit is a severe safety hazard, so be sure to get the weight accurately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"pallet<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Step 2: Calculate Frame Depth

The frame depth sets the spacing between the load beams.<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A properly stored pallet should <\/span>overhang the beams<\/a> by approximately three inches, allowing the beams to carry the full weight of the pallet. To easily get a proper fit, subtract six from the depth of your pallets. This will allow a 3-inch overhang on both sides.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"overhang<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Why do you want overhang?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Load beams<\/a> are designed to carry the weight of your pallet, not the wire decking, which is placed on top of the beams. The wire decking<\/a> is a good safety item that helps distribute weight, but it is not intended the handle the full weight of a loaded pallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s an example; a standard pallet has a depth of 48 inches. You want 3 inches of overhang on the front and back, so 48″ – 3″ – 3″ = 42″. For this reason, a 42″ deep frame is the most common frame depth because it allows the proper amount of overhang for a standard 48″ deep pallet. A frame depth of 42 inches allows for a 3-inch overhang at the front and back.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common depths of pallet rack frames<\/a>, listed in order of popularity, are:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n