Dimension reference Gaylord box

Industrial & logistics · Reference

Standard Gaylord Box Dimensions (2026): 48 × 40 in Base, Wall Counts & Load Capacity

A Gaylord box has a standard 48 × 40 in (122 × 102 cm) base matching a GMA pallet, with heights of 24–48 in. Triple-wall construction is rated ~1,100–1,200 lb; quad-wall reaches 2,000 lb; five-wall reaches 2,500–3,000 lb.

LengthHeightWidth

A Gaylord box is specified by outside Length × Width × Height; the 48 × 40 in base is fixed to match a standard pallet, so height is the main variable between models.

Key facts

  • A Gaylord box's base is fixed at 48 × 40 in (122 × 102 cm) to match a standard GMA pallet — one of six global sizes defined by ISO 6780 — so only height varies between models.
  • 48 × 40 × 36 in (122 × 102 × 91 cm) is the size most guides call the industry standard, but Verde Trader's 2026 analysis of 8,000+ orders found 48 × 40 × 40 in (122 × 102 × 102 cm) is the actual best seller by volume.
  • Triple-wall is the most common construction: Uline's 48 × 40 in triple-wall line is rated 1,100 lb, within the ~1,200 lb ceiling industry guides cite for 3-wall boxes.
  • Capacity scales with wall count: roughly 500 lb for 2-wall, 1,200 lb for 3-wall, 2,000 lb for 4-wall, and 2,500–3,000 lb for 5-wall (5 Wall Box rates a 45 in tall 5-wall unit at 3,000 lb static load).
  • A 53-ft trailer holds roughly 20–26 assembled Gaylords single-stacked on pallets, or 200–400+ when shipped flat (knocked-down) before assembly.

Standard Gaylord box sizes (48 × 40 in / 122 × 102 cm base)

Height classOutside L × W × H (in)Outside L × W × H (cm)Notes
Half-height48 × 40 × 24 in122 × 102 × 61 cmLow-profile for dense or heavy materials; Uline's 1,100 lb triple-wall SKU (S-20427) is this size.
Standard heightMost cited as "standard"48 × 40 × 36 in122 × 102 × 91 cmThe size most industry guides call the Gaylord standard; Uline's flagship 1,100 lb triple-wall box (S-4931) is this size.
Mid heightBest seller by volume48 × 40 × 40 in122 × 102 × 102 cmVerde Trader's 2026 analysis of 8,000+ sold orders found this the single best-selling height, ahead of 36 in.
Tall / single-stack48 × 40 × 45 in122 × 102 × 114 cmMaximizes cube on one trailer tier without double-stacking, per 5 Wall Box's TAPPI-referenced spec sheet.
Full height48 × 40 × 48 in122 × 102 × 122 cmTallest common size; Uline's 1,100 lb triple-wall box (S-17996) is this size.

Source: Uline — 48 x 40 x 36" 1,100 lb Triple Wall Box with Lid (S-4931) (2026)

Wall count vs. weight capacity

Wall constructionTypical static load capacityCross-checked exampleNotes
2-wall (double wall)Up to 500 lbUline rates a smaller 36 × 36 × 24 in double-wall Gaylord (S-4681) at 600 lbLight-duty; two corrugated layers, the most economical option
3-wall (triple wall)Most commonUp to 1,200 lbUline's full-size 48 × 40 in triple-wall line (S-4931, S-17996, S-20427) is rated 1,100 lbMedium-duty; the most common Gaylord wall type
4-wall (quad wall)Up to 2,000 lbContainer Exchanger cites an overall 800–2,500+ lb range for Gaylord boxes, consistent with this tierHeavy-duty; industrial and manufacturing use
5-wall2,500+ lb (up to 3,000 lb)5 Wall Box rates its 48 × 40 × 45 in 5-wall box at 3,000 lb static load (TAPPI T 811, ECT 32+)Maximum strength; heaviest materials and roughest handling

Source: Repackify — Gaylord Box Dimensions & Sizes: 2-5 Wall Specs (2026)

Pallet & trailer compatibility

StandardValueNotes
Pallet match48 × 40 in GMA palletThe Gaylord base is sized to sit flush on a standard 48 × 40 in GMA pallet, confirmed by pallet manufacturer PalletOne.
Global pallet codeISO 6780: 1,219 × 1,016 mmThe 48 × 40 in / GMA footprint is one of six ISO 6780 standard freight-pallet sizes (Verde Trader).
53-ft trailer, assembled~20–26 boxes, single-stackedVaries with height: Repackify reports 20–24 per trailer; 5 Wall Box counts ~26 for its 45 in tall format.
53-ft trailer, flat-packed (KD)~200–400+ boxesGaylords ship knocked-down/flat before assembly for efficient freight, per Repackify.

Source: 5 Wall Box — 48 × 40 × 45 in 5-Wall Gaylord Box specifications (2026)

Put these numbers on the product photo

A spec table only helps if the buyer reads it. Many don't — shoppers routinely try to judge a product's size straight from the images, and wrong size or fit is the most-cited reason things get returned. The fix is to mark the real dimensions on the photo itself, where the buyer is already looking.

SizeMarker snaps dimension lines to the gaylord box's edges and exports at Amazon or Alibaba size, so the measurement is accurate and legible — not a guess typed over the picture. That answers the size question up front and cuts pre-sale questions and size-driven returns.

FAQ

What is the standard size of a Gaylord box?

Gaylord boxes share a 48 × 40 in (122 × 102 cm) base sized to match a GMA pallet. Height commonly runs 24–48 in: 36 in is cited most often as "standard," while 40 in is the top seller in Verde Trader's 2026 order data.

How much weight can a Gaylord box hold?

It depends on wall count: roughly 500 lb for double-wall, up to 1,200 lb for triple-wall (Uline's 48 × 40 in line is rated 1,100 lb), 2,000 lb for quad-wall, and 2,500–3,000 lb for five-wall construction.

What size pallet does a Gaylord box fit?

The standard 48 × 40 in (122 × 102 cm) GMA pallet — the Gaylord base is built to that exact footprint, per pallet manufacturer PalletOne and the ISO 6780 pallet standard.

How many Gaylord boxes fit on a 53-foot trailer?

About 20–26 assembled boxes single-stacked on pallets, varying with height, or 200–400+ when shipped flat/knocked-down before assembly, per Repackify's freight data.

What is the difference between double-wall, triple-wall, and five-wall Gaylord boxes?

Wall count is the number of corrugated layers: double-wall (2 layers, ~500 lb) suits light loads, triple-wall (3 layers, ~1,100–1,200 lb) is the general-purpose default, and four- or five-wall (2,000 lb to 3,000 lb) handles heavy, dense, or roughly handled materials.

Sources & method

Every figure on this page is traced to a named source, linked under each table. Standard sizes come from published standards and established industry references; where a size is a typical range or varies by manufacturer, we say so. Sizes vary by region, model and revision — treat these as the standard reference, and confirm the exact spec of the item you are selling.

Show the real size before it becomes a return

Mark accurate dimensions and specs on your product photos in minutes. Free to start.

Start free · 30 credits on sign-up
Standard Gaylord Box Dimensions & Wall-Count Capacity