UK pallet sizes and weight limits
Two different things get called "pallet size" in the UK: the physical base of the pallet, and the class a pallet network puts your loaded pallet in, which sets the price. Here are both.
Pallet bases
| Pallet | Size (mm) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| UK standard / industrial | 1200 × 1000 | Most UK freight and pallet networks |
| Euro (EPAL) | 1200 × 800 | Retail and European trade |
| Half Euro | 800 × 600 | Smaller loads, shop-floor displays |
| Quarter / display | 600 × 400 | Retail displays, small consignments |
| Drum / IBC | 1200 × 1200 | Drums, IBCs, bulk chemicals |
| CP1 / CP6 | 1200 × 1000 | Chemical industry: bags and boxes |
| CP2 | 1200 × 800 | Chemical industry |
| CP3 / CP8 / CP9 | 1140 × 1140 | Drums, octabins, big bags |
| CP4 / CP7 | 1300 × 1100 | Chemical industry |
| CP5 | 1140 × 760 | Containers |
A standard wooden pallet is about 144 mm high. CP pallets are 138 mm (CP1–CP5) or 156 mm (CP6–CP9).
Pallet network classes
UK pallet networks size a pallet by its loaded weight and height, on a 1200×1000 base. Your pallet goes in the smallest class that both its weight and height fit:
| Class | Max gross weight | Max height (incl. pallet) |
|---|---|---|
| Mini quarter | 150 kg | 0.6 m |
| Quarter | 250 kg | 0.8 m |
| Half | 500 kg | 1.1 m |
| Light full | 750 kg | 2.2 m |
| Full | 1000 kg | 2.2 m |
Limits vary a little between networks (some take full pallets up to 1200 kg or more), so check with your carrier. A 300 kg pallet stacked to 1.4 m counts as a light full pallet, not a half, because of its height. Keeping it under 1.1 m can cut the price.
Sources: EPAL CP pallets, Ferryspeed pallet definitions.
More guides: How many boxes fit on a pallet? · UK pallet sizes and weight limits · Pallet delivery costs explained