A skid is a load platform made of a top deck fastened to runners or stringers, with no bottom deck. Because it has no bottom boards it can be dragged and is lifted mainly by forklift. In everyday US usage, skid and pallet are often used interchangeably, which can cause ordering mistakes.
Skid vs pallet
A pallet has a top deck and a bottom deck separated by stringers or blocks, which spreads load in racking and stacking and allows pallet jack use when the bottom is open at the wheels. A skid has only the top deck and runners. Skids are simpler and lighter but are less stable on rack beams and in stacks, and the runners concentrate load on the floor.
Where skids are used
Skids are common under heavy machinery, large parts and crated equipment, where the item is bolted to heavy runners and moved by forklift or dragged into position. They also appear as low-cost one-way platforms. Machinery skids are usually custom built to the equipment footprint.
Ordering tips
Because the words overlap, state the construction on the purchase order: runners only, or top and bottom decks, plus dimensions, entry type and load. If the platform will go into pallet rack or be moved by a pallet jack, a true pallet with a bottom deck is usually the right choice.
Related Terms
- Stringer Pallet
- Stringer
- Block Pallet
- Bottom Deck Board
- Pallet Rack
- Pallet Jack
- Two-Way Entry Pallet
- Export Pallet
- Browse all glossary terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a skid the same as a pallet?
Not strictly. A skid has a top deck and runners but no bottom deck, while a pallet has both top and bottom decks. Many people use the words interchangeably, so when ordering, describe the construction rather than relying on the name. The difference matters for racking, stacking and pallet jack handling, which generally need a bottom deck.
Can skids be used for export?
Yes, if they are made of wood they are wood packaging material and must meet ISPM-15, which means approved treatment and the IPPC mark, just like pallets and crates. Machinery skids for export are often built from heat-treated lumber and marked accordingly. Confirm the destination country's requirements and keep treatment documentation with the shipment.