Gaylord Box Specifications

Complete wall construction details, ECT ratings, and weight capacities for all standard gaylord box sizes. Essential information for buying and selling used corrugated bulk containers.

Wall ConstructionECT RatingsWeight Capacity

Standard Gaylord Box Specifications

Size	Wall Type	ECT Rating	Weight Capacity	Stack Height	Volume	Primary Use
48×40×36 Most common size - fits standard pallet	3-Wall	ECT-32	1,200 lbs	3-4 high	27.8 cu ft	General bulk materials, parts
48×40×30 Lower profile for lighter materials	2-Wall	ECT-26	800 lbs	4-5 high	23.1 cu ft	Textiles, foam, light parts
48×40×48 High capacity for dense materials	4-Wall	ECT-44	1,800 lbs	2-3 high	37.0 cu ft	Metal parts, heavy components
48×40×45 High volume applications	3-Wall	ECT-36	1,500 lbs	3 high	34.7 cu ft	Plastic pellets, agricultural products
42×42×40 Square format - telecom industry	3-Wall	ECT-32	1,300 lbs	3 high	28.6 cu ft	Electronic components, telecom
48×45×36 Automotive industry standard	3-Wall	ECT-32	1,250 lbs	3-4 high	29.7 cu ft	Automotive parts, trim pieces
41×41×38 Heavy-duty octagonal	5-Wall	ECT-71	2,200 lbs	2-3 high	24.8 cu ft	Metal components, heavy parts
48×48×36 Chemical drum industry	4-Wall	ECT-48	1,900 lbs	2-3 high	33.8 cu ft	Chemical containers, drums

Wall Construction & Strength

2-Wall

Thickness

1/8 inch (3mm)

Single flute between two liners

ECT Range

ECT-23 to ECT-26

Weight Range

600-900 lbs

Cost Level

Lowest cost

Durability

Single use only

Best For

Light materials, one-way shipping, cost-sensitive applications

Reusability

Not recommended for reuse

3-Wall

Thickness

3/16 inch (5mm)

Two flutes with three liners

ECT Range

ECT-32 to ECT-40

Weight Range

1,000-1,600 lbs

Cost Level

Standard pricing

Durability

2-3 uses typical

Best For

General bulk materials, standard applications

Reusability

Good for multiple uses if handled carefully

4-Wall

Thickness

1/4 inch (6mm)

Three flutes with four liners

ECT Range

ECT-44 to ECT-55

Weight Range

1,500-2,200 lbs

Cost Level

Premium pricing

Durability

3-5 uses typical

Best For

Heavy materials, multiple reuses, high-value contents

Reusability

Excellent reusability with proper handling

5-Wall

Thickness

5/16 inch (8mm)

Four flutes with five liners

ECT Range

ECT-61 to ECT-75

Weight Range

2,000-2,800 lbs

Cost Level

Highest cost

Durability

5+ uses possible

Best For

Heaviest materials, maximum reuse, export shipping

Reusability

Superior reusability for heavy-duty applications

ECT Ratings & Stacking Strength

What is ECT Rating?

ECT (Edge Crush Test) measures how much force a corrugated edge can withstand before crushing. Higher ECT = stronger box that can stack higher and carry more weight.

Formula: Stacking Strength ≈ ECT Rating × 40 (approximate compression strength in pounds)

ECT Rating	Edge Crush Strength	Approx Stacking Strength	Typical Wall Type	Applications
ECT-23	23 lbs/inch	Approximately 920 lbs	2-Wall	Light materials, single use
ECT-26	26 lbs/inch	Approximately 1,040 lbs	2-Wall	Light to medium materials
ECT-32	32 lbs/inch	Approximately 1,280 lbs	3-Wall	Standard bulk materials
ECT-36	36 lbs/inch	Approximately 1,440 lbs	3-Wall	Medium-heavy materials
ECT-44	44 lbs/inch	Approximately 1,760 lbs	4-Wall	Heavy materials, multiple reuses
ECT-48	48 lbs/inch	Approximately 1,920 lbs	4-Wall	Heavy-duty applications
ECT-71	71 lbs/inch	Approximately 2,840 lbs	5-Wall	Heaviest materials, export

Condition Grading System

Grade A (New/Like-New)

Premium pricing (80-100% of new)

Unused or single-use boxes in excellent condition

Characteristics

✓No visible wear or damage
✓All corners intact and square
✓No tape residue or markings
✓Original structural integrity
✓Clean and dry interior

Best For: Food-grade applications, export, high-value products

Expected Uses: Full remaining life cycle

Grade B (Good)

Standard pricing (60-80% of new)

Previously used but structurally sound

Characteristics

✓Minor corner wear acceptable
✓Some tape residue or markings
✓No structural damage
✓Dry and clean condition
✓Maintains full weight capacity

Best For: General bulk materials, internal use, warehousing

Expected Uses: Estimated 2-4 additional uses

Grade C (Fair)

Discounted pricing (40-60% of new)

Functional but showing significant wear

Characteristics

✓Visible corner damage or crushing
✓Heavy tape residue or staining
✓Some panel deformation
✓Reduced weight capacity
✓Still structurally functional

Best For: One-way shipping, light materials, cost-sensitive applications

Expected Uses: Estimated 1-2 additional uses maximum

Scrap/Parts

Recycling value only

Beyond safe use, suitable for recycling only

Characteristics

✓Structural damage or collapse
✓Water damage or contamination
✓Missing panels or severe crushing
✓Unsafe for load bearing
✓Recycling material only

Best For: Cardboard recycling, not suitable for shipping

Expected Uses: No further use as container

Bottom Construction Styles

Full Overlap

Four flaps fold completely over each other

Strength:Highest bottom strength

Cost:Standard cost

Best For: Heavy materials, maximum support

Most common for 3-wall and 4-wall boxes

Partial Overlap

Flaps partially cover bottom with gap

Strength:Moderate strength

Cost:Lower cost

Best For: Light materials, cost-sensitive applications

Common in 2-wall boxes

Full + Insert

Full overlap with cardboard insert pad

Strength:Maximum bottom strength

Cost:Highest cost

Best For: Heaviest materials, sharp objects

Used for 4-wall and 5-wall heavy-duty boxes

Domelock

Interlocking tabs create reinforced bottom

Strength:Very high strength

Cost:Premium cost

Best For: Octagonal boxes, heavy loads

Complex folding but very secure

Truckload Quantities

Box Size	New Boxes	Used Boxes (Nested)	Total Weight	Notes
48×40×36	60-70 boxes	80-100 boxes (nested)	1,200-1,800 lbs	Most efficient size for trucking
48×40×30	80-90 boxes	120-140 boxes (nested)	1,000-1,400 lbs	Lower profile allows more units
48×40×48	45-55 boxes	60-80 boxes (nested)	1,400-2,000 lbs	Height limited, fewer per truck
42×42×40	65-75 boxes	90-110 boxes (nested)	1,100-1,600 lbs	Square format packs efficiently

Key Facts for Gaylord Trading

Most Common Size

48×40×36 with 3-wall construction represents 60% of the market - highest demand and best resale value

Wall vs. Weight

Wall count directly impacts weight capacity: 2-wall = 800 lbs, 3-wall = 1,200 lbs, 4-wall = 1,800 lbs, 5-wall = 2,200+ lbs

Reusability Factor

Higher wall count = more reuses. 2-wall single use, 3-wall 2-3 uses, 4-wall 3-5 uses, 5-wall 5+ uses with proper handling

⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

All used gaylord boxes are sold AS-IS with NO WARRANTIES, guarantees, or representations of any kind. These are USED PRODUCTS that will NOT meet strict regulations, compliance requirements, or quality standards. Condition grades (Grade A, Grade B, etc.) are LOOSELY DEFINED and subjective - what one company considers Grade A, another may not. Buyers are solely responsible for inspection, testing, and suitability determination. ECT ratings, weight capacities, wall specifications, and condition grades are estimates only and do not constitute any warranty or guarantee of performance, safety, compliance, or fitness for any particular purpose.