Skid vs pallet: what is the difference?
A pallet has a top deck and a bottom deck of boards, so it is stable and can be stacked and racked; a skid has a top deck on runners but no bottom deck. The standard skid size in North America is 48 × 40 in, the same as the GMA pallet, and in freight quotes 'skid' and 'pallet' often mean the same thing.
The difference
| Details | Skid | Pallet |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom deck | No, runners only | Yes |
| Forklift entry | Usually 2-way | 2-way (stringer) or 4-way (block) |
| Stacking and racking | Limited | Yes |
| Typical use | Heavy machines fixed to it, moving loads by dragging | Warehousing, shipping, retail distribution |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Standard skid sizes
Skids follow pallet footprints. In North America 48 × 40 in is standard; 48 × 48, 42 × 42 and 40 × 48 in are also common. In Europe a 'Euro skid' is the 1200 × 800 mm EUR footprint. Machinery skids are often built to the size of the machine.
| Name | Inches | Millimetres |
|---|---|---|
| Standard US skid / GMA pallet | 48 × 40 | 1219 × 1016 |
| Square | 48 × 48 | 1219 × 1219 |
| Drum / chemical | 42 × 42 | 1067 × 1067 |
| Euro skid / EUR pallet | 47.2 × 31.5 | 1200 × 800 |
| UK / ISO | 47.2 × 39.4 | 1200 × 1000 |
In freight quotes
LTL carriers and freight forwarders often say 'skid' for any pallet. What they need is the same: number of handling units, length × width × height including the base, and weight. Those set the density and class; see the freight class calculator.
How many skids fit in a 40 ft container?
The same as pallets of the same footprint: 20 skids of 48 × 40 in on the floor of a 40 ft container, single stacked. See pallets per container.
Export rules apply to both
Solid wood skids and pallets crossing borders need ISPM 15 treatment and marking; see heat-treated pallets.
Tools used in this guide
Related guides
Common questions
What is the difference between a skid and a pallet?
A skid has a top deck on runners and no bottom deck; a pallet has both top and bottom decks, which makes it more stable and stackable.
What is a standard skid size?
48 × 40 in in North America, the same footprint as the standard GMA pallet.
Is a skid the same as a pallet for shipping?
In freight quotes usually yes: carriers use both words for a handling unit on a wooden base.
How many skids fit in a 40 ft container?
20 skids of 48 × 40 in on the floor, single stacked.