A stringer pallet sits on three long boards; a block pallet sits on nine short posts. That's the whole difference to the eye, and it decides how forklifts handle the pallet, how strong it is and what it's worth used. It does not decide who owns it.
How do I tell them apart?
Look at the pallet from one end, then from one side.
- Stringer pallet: from the end you see three thin uprights, the stringers, with two fork openings between them. From the side you see one solid board running the full length, unless it's notched. Forks go in from the two ends.
- Block pallet: from every side you see three short blocks with openings between them. Forks and pallet jacks go in from all four sides.
Why are there two kinds?
Stringer pallets are quick and cheap to build from three lengths of lumber, which is why most white-wood pallets in the US are stringers. The standard 48 × 40 grocery pallet is a stringer pallet in its usual form.
Block pallets use more parts but are stiffer, handle better in automated warehouses and take four-way entry. That makes them the usual choice for rental pools, which need pallets to survive many trips. CHEP's and PECO's pooled pallets are block pallets.
Does construction tell me who owns it?
No. It's a hint only: a painted block pallet is very likely a rental pallet, and an unpainted stringer pallet very likely isn't. But plenty of white-wood block pallets exist, especially in Europe-style sizes. Paint and stencils decide ownership; see pallet colors explained.
Which is worth more used?
A sound block pallet in a standard size usually has more resale value than a stringer pallet of the same size, because it costs more to build. But demand drives price, and 48 × 40 stringers are wanted in far greater numbers. Repairability matters too:
- A stringer pallet's weak point is the stringer. A cracked one can be plated or doubled up with a short companion stringer, but a pallet with two cracked stringers is usually scrap.
- A block pallet's weak points are the blocks and the boards that tie them. Crushed or split blocks can be swapped.
What this means for your pile
Count the two kinds separately if you can, and by size. It helps us plan and grade, and it's the first thing a buyer asks. The pile planner takes rough counts; selling pallets explains the grades.