48 × 40 × 24 in 5-Wall Gaylord Box
A 48 × 40 × 24 in 5-wall Gaylord is a 26.7 ft³ short-format bulk container on a GMA pallet footprint, rated to 3,000 lb static load (TAPPI T 811 ECT 32+, T 810 burst ~600 psi). Built for dense product where weight, not volume, governs.
Specifications
All structural ratings reference TAPPI T 811 (ECT), TAPPI T 810 (Mullen burst), and the GMA 48 × 40 in pallet standard.
| Outside dimensions | 48 × 40 × 24 in (48″L × 40″W × 24″H) |
| Interior dimensions | ~47.5″ × 39.5″ × 23.5″ (5-wall thickness ≈ 0.5″/side) |
| Interior volume | 26.7 ft³ · 0.756 m³ · 756 L · 200 US gal |
| Empty weight | ~22 lb (varies by liner basis weight) |
| Static load rating | Up to 3,000 lb (column-stacked, new condition) |
| Edge Crush Test (ECT) | 32+ ECT (TAPPI T 811) |
| Burst test (Mullen) | ~600 psi (TAPPI T 810) |
| Construction | 5-wall: 3 kraft liners + 2 corrugated mediums (BC double-wall) |
| Liner basis weight | 33-42 lb/Msf kraft (HTP-41 available) |
| Pallet match | Standard 48 × 40 in GMA pallet |
| Stack tier | short format (24 in height) |
| 53-ft trailer capacity | ~30 boxes single-stacked, ~60 double-stacked |
48×40×24 calculator
Box count for a given product volume, pallet stack height for a given fill weight, and trailer load count.
Enter the total volume of product you need to ship. We'll estimate the box count assuming a typical 85% fill rate (real loads rarely pack to 100% of interior volume).
Boxes needed
45
of 48 × 40 × 24 in (≈ 85% fill)
Estimates only. Real freight planning depends on actual product density, pallet build, dunnage, and carrier equipment.
48×40×24 vs other 48 × 40 in heights
All sizes share the GMA pallet footprint; only the height changes.
| Size | Volume (ft³) | Liters | Trailer (single) | Trailer (double) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 × 40 × 24 in | 26.7 | 756 | ~30 | ~60 |
| 48 × 40 × 28 in | 31.1 | 881 | ~30 | ~60 |
| 48 × 40 × 30 in | 33.3 | 945 | ~30 | ~60 |
| 48 × 40 × 36 in | 40.0 | 1,133 | ~30 | ~60 |
| 48 × 40 × 40 in | 44.4 | 1,258 | ~26 | ~52 |
| 48 × 40 × 42 in | 46.7 | 1,322 | ~26 | ~52 |
| 48 × 40 × 45 in | 50.0 | 1,416 | ~26 | — |
| 48 × 40 × 48 in | 53.3 | 1,510 | ~26 | — |
5-wall 48×40×24 vs tri-wall and IBC
The two closest alternatives to a 5-wall corrugated Gaylord for industrial bulk shipping.
| Attribute | 5-wall 48×40×24 | Tri-wall 48×40×24 | Plastic IBC (275-330 gal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static load rating | Up to 3,000 lb | Up to 1,500 lb | Up to 2,000 lb (liquid) |
| ECT (TAPPI T 811) | 32+ | ~24 | N/A (rigid plastic) |
| Empty weight | ~22 lb | ~15 lb | ~120-150 lb (with cage) |
| Interior volume | 26.7 ft³ | 26.7 ft³ (same nominal) | ~37-44 ft³ (275-330 gal) |
| Cost tier | Mid (corrugated) | Lower | Highest (rigid plastic) |
| Reuse cycles (typical) | 5-8 (standard), 12-20 (HTP-41) | 2-4 | 25+ (with reconditioning) |
| Recyclable end-of-life | Yes — OCC fiber | Yes — OCC fiber | HDPE recovery (varies regionally) |
| Best for | Dry / solid bulk industrial | Light dry, one-way ship | Liquids and viscous bulk |
48 × 40 × 24 in 5-wall Gaylord FAQs
What are the interior dimensions of a 48 × 40 × 24 in Gaylord box?
Approximately 47.5 × 39.5 × 23.5 in interior — the 5-wall construction subtracts about 0.5 in per side from the nominal exterior. Useful volume works out to roughly 25.5 cubic feet at full theoretical fill.
How much does an empty 48 × 40 × 24 in 5-wall Gaylord weigh?
Approximately 20-24 lb empty, depending on liner basis weight (typically 33-42 lb/Msf kraft) and bottom style. Heavier HTP-41 builds run 28-32 lb.
What is the static load rating of a 48 × 40 × 24 Gaylord box?
Up to 3,000 lb when new, properly stacked on a flat pallet, and with even weight distribution. This is the manufacturer-rated capacity for standard 5-wall construction at 32+ ECT per TAPPI T 811.
How many 48 × 40 × 24 boxes fit on a 53-foot trailer?
About 30 boxes single-stacked (one per GMA pallet position) or 60 boxes double-stacked. The 24 in height plus a 5 in GMA pallet leaves room for two-high in any standard 110 in interior trailer.
Can I double-stack 48 × 40 × 24 in Gaylords on the warehouse floor?
Yes — with full flap bottom construction and the column-loading rule (stack height × filled weight ≤ 3,000 lb), two-high stacking is standard. Three-high is feasible at lighter fill weights.
What's the typical lead time for 48 × 40 × 24 Gaylord boxes?
Stock sizes typically ship within 2-5 business days from order. Custom prints or non-standard board grades run 7-14 business days.
Are 48 × 40 × 24 Gaylord boxes food-grade?
The kraft fiber itself is not a food-contact surface. For bulk food applications, pair with an FDA-compliant polyethylene liner per 21 CFR 177.1520 — typically 3-6 mil depending on product moisture and density.
What's the difference between 48 × 40 × 24 and 48 × 40 × 30 sizes?
Both share the GMA pallet footprint. The 24 in version holds 26.7 ft³; the 30 in version holds 33.3 ft³ (25% more). Use the 24 for dense product (90+ lb/ft³) where the box would hit weight capacity before filling; use the 30 for medium-density bulk.
Can I order printed 48 × 40 × 24 in 5-wall Gaylord boxes?
Yes — single-color flexo print and multi-color combinations are available on new boxes. Lead time runs 2-3 weeks longer than stock. Minimum order quantities apply.
Are 48 × 40 × 24 in 5-wall Gaylord boxes recyclable?
Yes — they're 100% old corrugated container (OCC) grade kraft fiber and are accepted at any paper mill that buys OCC. End-of-life boxes sold for recovery go through our scrap channel.
Quote 48 × 40 × 24 in 5-wall boxes
Send quantity, condition, and delivery address. Freight-inclusive number same business day.
Request a quote