The Essential Pallet Glossary

Everything procurement professionals need to know to speak the language of the pallet industry.

Block Pallet: A pallet design utilizing rectangular or cylindrical blocks between the decks (or under the top deck) to provide support and allow four-way forklift entry.

Bottom Deck: The assembly of deckboards that forms the lower, load-bearing surface of the pallet.

Butted Deckboard: An inner deckboard positioned flush against a lead deckboard during the assembly process to provide a solid surface.

CAD (Computer-Aided Design): Specialized software used to engineer pallets for maximum performance and cost-efficiency; often used in conjunction with the Pallet Design System (PDS).

Chamfered Deckboard: A board with beveled edges on one or two faces. This allows for smoother entry and exit of pallet jack wheels.

Combo Pallet: A hybrid pallet manufactured using both new and recycled wood. These offer a cost-effective solution while maintaining specific performance requirements.

Deckboard: A primary structural component of the pallet deck, typically oriented perpendicular to the stringers or stringerboards.

Deck Board Spacing: The measurement of the gap between adjacent deckboards.

Deck Board Span: The distance between the structural supports (stringers, stringer boards, or blocks) that hold the deckboards.

Double-Face Pallet: A pallet constructed with both a top and bottom deck.

Double-Wing Pallet: A design where both the top and bottom deckboards extend beyond the edges of the stringers or stringer boards for increased surface area or lifting capability.

Drive Screw Nail: A specialized pallet nail featuring a continuous helical (spiral) thread for superior grip and structural integrity.

Euro Pallet: A standard European pallet featuring a nine-block support system rather than runners, allowing for easy four-way forklift entry.

Fastener: Any mechanical device used to join pallet components together, including nails, staples, screws, bolts, and adhesives.

Flush Pallet: A pallet where the deckboards are perfectly aligned (flush) with the stringers, stringerboards, or blocks. Unlike wing pallets, there is no overhang on the sides.

Fork Entry: The designated openings between decks or beneath the top deck that allow forklift tines to enter and lift the pallet safely.

Four-Way Pallet: A pallet designed to allow forklift entry from all four sides. Full Four-Way allows pallet jacks on all sides, while a Partial Four-Way (notched stringer) may only allow pallet jacks on two sides.

GMA Pallet: A pallet manufactured to the specifications of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. The standard size is typically 48″ x 40″.

Hand (Wheel) Jack Opening: Gaps provided in the bottom deck of a pallet to allow the wheels of a manual pallet jack to touch the floor, ensuring the jack can lift the load.

Hardwood: Wood from broad-leaved trees (e.g., Oak, Maple). In the pallet industry, hardwood is prized for its higher density and durability.

Heat Treatment (HT): A process where wood pallets are heated to a core temperature of 56°C (132.8°F) for at least 30 minutes to kill pests. Required for international shipping under ISPM 15 regulations.

Inner Deckboard: Any deckboard located between the two lead (end) deckboards of the pallet.

Lead Deckboard: The boards at the very front and back of the pallet deck. These are often wider or thicker to withstand forklift impact.

Notched Stringer: A stringer that has had sections cut out (notches) to allow forklift tines to enter from the side.

Pallet Design System (PDS): A professional CAD software used to determine the safe load capacity, performance, and expected life of a specific pallet design.

Pallet Jack: A manual or motorized tool used to move pallets. It requires specific openings in the bottom deck to function.

Recycled Pallet: A pallet that has been previously used, recovered, repaired, or refurbished for resale. This is the most common sustainable option.

Remanufactured Pallet: A pallet built entirely from reclaimed lumber that has been disassembled and cut to new dimensions.

Repair: The process of replacing damaged components (such as broken deckboards or stringers) to restore pallet functionality.

Reusable Pallet: A higher-quality pallet designed for multiple trips or closed-loop shipping cycles.

Runner: Another term for a stringer — the continuous longitudinal boards that support the deckboards.

Skid: A pallet with no bottom deckboards, supported only by stringers or feet.

Softwood: Wood from coniferous trees (e.g., Pine, Spruce). Typically lighter and more cost-effective.

Stringer: A solid horizontal member that supports the deckboards and defines the pallet length.

Stringerboard: In block pallets, boards that sit directly on top of the blocks to support deckboards.

Two-Way Pallet: A pallet with solid stringers (no notches), allowing forklift entry from only two ends.

Unit Load: The total assembly of the pallet and the goods resting on it, considered as a single shipping unit.

Wing: The portion of the deckboards that extends past the outer edge of the stringers. Single-Wing: Only the top deck extends. Double-Wing: Both top and bottom decks extend.