How Much does a Pallet Weigh? Average Price Guide (2026)
Pallet weight matters more than most people realise. If you’re shipping goods, it eats into your payload allowance. If you’re buying pallets for a garden project or a log burner store, it determines whether you can manhandle them alone. And if you’re organising a courier collection, getting the weight wrong means surcharges. Here’s the full breakdown, plus what pallets actually cost in the UK in 2026.
Standard Pallet Weights
| Pallet type | Typical weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK standard wooden pallet (1200×1000mm) | 20–25kg | The common workhorse |
| EUR/EPAL pallet (1200×800mm) | ~25kg | Standardised European pool pallet |
| US GMA pallet (48×40″) | ~17kg (37 lbs) | Stringer design, lighter build |
| Heavy-duty block pallet | 25–30kg | Four-way entry, higher load rating |
| Half pallet / display pallet | 8–12kg | Retail and promotional use |
| Plastic pallet | 15–25kg | Varies hugely by design; nestable types lighter |
| Pressed-wood / chipboard pallet | 10–15kg | Lightweight, often nestable |
Wood is a natural material, so individual pallets vary — moisture content alone can add or subtract a couple of kilos. A pallet left out in the rain weighs noticeably more than a kiln-dried one. The standard pallet designs are well documented if you need exact dimensional specs.
Why Pallet Weight Matters for Shipping
Couriers and hauliers charge on whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight. A 25kg pallet carrying 200kg of goods is a rounding error; the same pallet carrying 15kg of pillows changes the economics. Other practical considerations:
- Manual handling: UK guidance suggests 25kg as the maximum most men should lift unaided — a EUR pallet sits right on that line, so two-person lifts or a pallet truck are sensible.
- Van payload: ten wooden pallets at 25kg each consume 250kg of your van’s payload before you’ve loaded a single product.
- Air freight: every kilo counts, which is why lightweight pressed-wood and plastic pallets dominate air cargo.
How Much Does a Pallet Cost in the UK? (2026 Prices)
Prices vary by region, quantity and timber markets, but these are realistic UK ranges for 2026:
| Pallet type | New price (each) | Used price (each) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard wooden pallet (1200×1000mm) | £12–£18 | £4–£8 |
| EUR/EPAL pallet | £18–£25 | £8–£14 |
| Heat-treated (ISPM 15) pallet | £15–£22 | £6–£10 |
| Heavy-duty block pallet | £20–£30 | £10–£15 |
| Plastic pallet | £30–£80 | £15–£40 |
| Half / display pallet | £6–£10 | £2–£5 |
Buying in bulk (50+) typically knocks 15–25% off new prices. Used pallets from local pallet recyclers are the best value for garden projects, compost bins and DIY furniture — just check they’re heat-treated (stamped HT) rather than chemically treated (MB, methyl bromide), especially for indoor or food-adjacent use.
Choosing the Right Pallet for the Job
- Exporting goods: you need ISPM 15 heat-treated pallets with the official stamp — untreated wood packaging can be refused or destroyed at the destination border.
- Food and pharma: plastic pallets, which are washable and don’t harbour pests or splinters.
- DIY and garden projects: used standard wooden pallets — cheap, plentiful and easy to work with.
- Heavy machinery: block pallets with the highest dynamic load rating you can find.
For related weights and measures, our guide to how much a concrete block weighs“>how much a concrete block weighs covers another common site-delivery question.
Common Pallet Dimensions
Weight and size go together. The most common footprints:
- UK standard: 1200×1000mm — the domestic workhorse.
- EUR/EPAL: 1200×800mm — the European pool standard, four-way entry.
- US GMA: 48×40 inches (1219×1016mm) — the North American standard.
- ISO / export: 1140×1140mm and 1100×1100mm — sized for shipping containers.
- Half pallets: 800×600mm or 600×400mm — retail display use.
Standard heights are typically 130–150mm including the deck boards. If you’re stacking pallets for a project — say, a garden retaining wall — you may also want our guide to how much a concrete block weighs“>how much a concrete block weighs for the masonry side of the job.
How to Weigh a Pallet Yourself
Most bathroom scales top out at 150–180kg, which is plenty for a single pallet. Stand the pallet upright on the scale, or weigh yourself holding it and subtract. For loaded pallets, weigh the load and pallet separately where possible — guessing the pallet’s weight is how courier surcharges happen. And remember the manual handling guidance: the HSE manual handling guidelines treat 25kg as the upper limit for most men lifting unaided, so a EUR pallet is a two-person or pallet-truck job. If you’re shipping regularly, a dedicated pallet scale or a set of pallet-truck scales pays for itself quickly in avoided surcharges — guessing wrong on a dozen pallets a week adds up fast. For one-off moves, most couriers will also weigh on collection, but their figure is the one that counts on the invoice, so it’s always worth knowing your own number first.
Pallet Weight vs Load Capacity: Don’t Confuse Them
Beginners often mix these up. Pallet weight (tare weight) is how much the empty pallet weighs — the 20–25kg we’ve been discussing. Load capacity is how much weight it can carry, and there are two figures: dynamic load (while being lifted and moved, typically 1,000–1,500kg for a standard wooden pallet) and static load (sitting on the floor, often 3,000kg+). When a courier asks for the weight, they want tare weight plus goods. When a racking manufacturer asks, they want to know your heaviest loaded pallet. Mixing them up either costs you money or risks a collapsed stack.
Selling or Giving Away Used Pallets
Businesses that receive regular deliveries often drown in pallets. Options: pallet recyclers will collect usable ones and may pay £2–£5 each for standard sizes in decent condition; damaged ones go for chip or biomass fuel. Listing them as free on local marketplaces usually clears a stack within days — DIYers, allotment holders and firewood sellers snap them up. One caution: EUR/EPAL pallets belong to a pooled exchange system, so technically they should go back into the pool rather than being sold on — in practice, recyclers handle this for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a standard wooden pallet weigh?
Between 20 and 25kg for a typical UK 1200×1000mm wooden pallet. EUR/EPAL pallets are standardised at around 25kg.
How much does a pallet weigh in the US?
The standard US GMA 48×40-inch pallet weighs about 37 lbs (17kg) — lighter than UK pallets thanks to its stringer construction.
Can one person lift a pallet?
A standard pallet at 20–25kg is at the upper limit of UK manual-handling guidance. One fit person can manage short lifts, but a pallet truck or a second pair of hands is safer and faster.
What does the HT stamp on a pallet mean?
HT means heat-treated to ISPM 15 standards — the wood has been heated to kill pests, making it legal for international shipping. Avoid MB-stamped (methyl bromide fumigated) pallets for indoor or garden food-growing use.
How much weight can a pallet hold?
A standard wooden pallet typically handles a dynamic load (while being moved) of 1,000–1,500kg and a static load (sitting still) of up to 3,000kg or more, depending on construction and condition.
Where can I buy cheap pallets in the UK?
Local pallet recyclers and merchants offer the best prices on used pallets (£4–£8 each). Online marketplaces list free pallets from businesses clearing stock, and timber merchants sell new pallets from around £12 each in quantity.