A quick look at the basics

Before we get into the different racking systems, it helps to understand a few core concepts. A pallet racking system is built from upright frames and horizontal beams. Pallets sit on those beams, and forklifts are used to place and retrieve the loads.

There are a few key factors that influence which type of racking system will work best in your space:

• Aisle width — wider aisles mean easier forklift access but lower storage density; narrower aisles increase storage but may require specialized equipment.

• Storage density — how many pallets you want to store within your available footprint.

• Access or picking style — whether you need direct access to every pallet, or if storing pallets in deeper lanes is acceptable.

• Inventory rotation (FIFO vs LIFO) — whether your operation requires the oldest stock to ship first (FIFO), or if last-in, first-out (LIFO) is acceptable.

You don’t need to be an expert in these terms yet — we’ll connect them back to each racking system as we go. The main idea is that there’s no one “best” pallet racking system — just the best fit for how your operation runs.

1. Standard Pallet Racking (Most Common System)

What it is: The most widely used racking system — simple upright frames with horizontal beams where pallets are stored.

Best for: Operations that need easy access to every pallet. Great for small to medium warehouses with diverse SKUs.

How it works: Each pallet has its own location; forklifts place and retrieve pallets directly.

Pros:

• Direct access to every pallet

• Flexible layout

• Easy to add or remove sections

Limitations:

• Lower storage density compared to high-density systems