Floor Scale Sizes: 4x4 vs 5x5 vs 4x6 and How to Pick One
Updated October 21, 2026
The short answer: a 4' x 4' (48" x 48") floor scale fits a standard 48" x 40" pallet with room to spare, which is why it's the most common size. Go up to 5' x 5' for oversized pallets, crates and loads that hang over the edge. Choose a long platform such as 4' x 5' or 4' x 6' if you roll loads on with a pallet jack. Pick the platform from your largest load, then pick the capacity from your heaviest one. Below: every common size, what each one fits, capacities, and current SellEton prices.
Floor scale sizes and prices
Floor scale sizes are given as width x length, in feet or inches: a 4x4 is 48" x 48". SellEton sells two main lines in the sizes below. The SL-700 is our general-purpose, non-NTEP floor scale for in-house weighing. The SL-800 is the NTEP, legal-for-trade version for when you sell by weight.
| Size | Platform | Typical loads | SL-700 (non-NTEP) from* | SL-800 (NTEP) from* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2' x 2' | 24" x 24" | Single drums, cartons, bags | $659 | $899 |
| 3' x 3' | 36" x 36" | Drums, small crates, carts | $689 | $1,049 |
| 40" x 40" | 40" x 40" | Smaller pallets and skids | $599 | Wireless only (SL-800-W) |
| 4' x 4' | 48" x 48" | Standard 48" x 40" pallets | $699 | $1,199 |
| 4' x 5' | 48" x 60" | Pallets on a pallet jack, long crates | $1,049 | $1,349 |
| 4' x 6' | 48" x 72" | Pallet jack plus pallet, long loads | $1,149 | $1,549 |
| 4' x 8' | 48" x 96" | Two pallets end to end, long stock | $1,849 | $1,999 |
| 5' x 5' | 60" x 60" | Oversized pallets, crates, overhanging loads | $999 | $1,499 |
| 5' x 7' | 60" x 84" | Large crates and equipment | $1,999 | $2,099 |
| 5' x 8' | 60" x 96" | Long, wide loads | $2,299 | $2,499 |
| 6' x 6' | 72" x 72" | Machinery, big totes, bulk bags | $3,999 | $4,299 |
| 7' x 7' | 84" x 84" | Very large equipment and loads | $4,299 | $4,499 |
*Prices from selletonscales.com on October 21, 2026, for the lowest-capacity option of each size. Higher capacities cost more. The product page always shows the current price.
Need a size that isn't listed? Our build-your-own floor scale pages let you choose size, capacity and indicator, and our team can quote custom sizes.
How to choose the right floor scale size
- Measure your largest load's footprint. Measure the base of the pallet, crate or container, not the product stacked on top. The whole base has to sit on the platform.
- Make sure nothing touches the floor or frame. Any part of the load resting on the floor, a wall or the scale's frame takes weight off the platform, and the reading comes up short.
- Allow for how loads get on and off. A forklift sets a pallet down from above, so a platform a few inches larger than the pallet is enough. A pallet jack rolls on with the load, so the jack's wheels and the pallet both need to be on the deck. That takes a longer platform.
- Check the space where the scale will sit. Allow room for the forklift or jack to line up straight, plus room for a ramp if you use one.
- Then choose capacity from your heaviest load (see capacity and readability below).
4x4 vs 5x5 floor scale: which one?
Choose a 4x4 (48" x 48") if most of what you weigh is on standard 48" x 40" pallets set down by a forklift. The pallet sits inside the deck with a margin on each side. A 4x4 is also the easiest size to fit into an existing shipping or receiving area, and it's our lowest-cost pallet size: the SL-700 4x4 starts at $699 and the SL-800 4x4 NTEP at $1,199.
Choose a 5x5 (60" x 60") if your loads are wider or less predictable: oversized pallets, crates, wrapped loads that bulge past the pallet edge, or loads that are hard to place exactly in the center. The extra foot each way makes it much less likely that part of the load lands off the deck. The SL-700 5x5 starts at $999, and the SL-800 5x5 NTEP at $1,499.
If you're unsure, measure the widest load you weighed in the past month. If it was close to 48" on any side, the 5x5 is the safer choice.
4x5, 4x6 and 4x8: long platforms for pallet jacks
Many warehouses don't use a forklift at the scale. They roll the pallet on with a pallet jack. In that case the jack's front and rear wheels and the pallet all have to be on the platform, so a square 4x4 is usually too short. Measure the overall length of your jack with a pallet on its forks, then pick the platform that clears it:
- 4' x 5' (48" x 60") for compact jacks and shorter loads.
- 4' x 6' (48" x 72"), the usual choice for a pallet jack plus a standard pallet.
- 4' x 8' (48" x 96") for long stock, or two pallets end to end.
Tare out the jack (enter its weight with the tare key) so the indicator shows only the load. If you'd rather weigh in the jack itself and skip the floor scale, see our pallet jack scale guide.
Small floor scales: 2x2 and 3x3
Not every floor scale is for pallets. A 2x2 or 3x3 fits drums, sacks, cartons and carts, in a footprint small enough for a production line or a corner of the shipping area. The SL-700 2x2 and 3x3 go up to 30,000 lb and the SL-800 versions up to 20,000 lb, so small doesn't have to mean light duty. For loads that move around a site, our portable floor scale guide covers lighter options.
Capacity and readability
Once the size is set, choose capacity. Most of our floor scales come in the same capacity steps whatever the size. Here are the 4x4 options as an example:
| Capacity | SL-700 4x4 reads in | SL-800 4x4 (NTEP) reads in |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 lb | 0.2 lb | 0.2 lb |
| 2,500 lb | 0.5 lb | 0.5 lb |
| 5,000 lb | 1 lb | 1 lb |
| 10,000 lb | 1 lb | 2 lb |
| 20,000 lb | 2 lb | 5 lb |
| 30,000 lb | 5 lb | Not offered |
Two things to notice:
- Bigger capacity means coarser readings. A 20,000 lb scale won't show the fine steps a 2,500 lb scale does. Choose the capacity that covers your heaviest load with some headroom, and don't buy far more than you need.
- Legal-for-trade scales read in larger steps at high capacity. The SL-800's NTEP approval is for 5,000 divisions, so at 10,000 lb it reads in 2 lb steps. The non-NTEP SL-700 can show 1 lb steps at the same capacity, but those readings can't be used to sell by weight.
Never load a floor scale beyond its rated capacity, including a load dropped onto the deck. Overloading can damage the load cells and throw off every reading after it.
Do you need an NTEP floor scale?
If the weight sets a price (shipping charges, selling goods or scrap by the pound), you generally need a legal-for-trade scale. That means an NTEP-approved model, inspected and sealed under your state's rules. The SL-800 is NTEP certified under COC #22-056, as listed on each SL-800 product page, and comes in sizes from 2x2 to 7x7. For weighing that stays in-house, such as inventory, batching or checking supplier weights, the SL-700 does the job for less.
Rules vary by state. Check with your state weights and measures office before you buy, and have a qualified scale technician install, test and seal a legal-for-trade scale. Our NTEP and legal-for-trade guide explains the process.
Ramp, pit frame or flat on the floor
- Flat on the floor: fine when a forklift sets loads on from above.
- With a ramp: needed for pallet jacks and carts. The SL-750 ramp starts at $573.99, and our floor scales with ramps come ready to roll on. Allow extra floor length for the ramp.
- In a pit: a SL-800-PF pit frame (from $449) sets the deck flush with the floor, so loads roll across without a ramp. A pit is a concrete job, so plan it with a qualified installer. The SL-800-PPF portable pit frame has forklift channels if the scale needs to move.
Weighing outdoors or in wet areas? Our standard floor scales aren't waterproof as-is. Ask about the water-resistant upgrade and a stainless steel indicator, or see the stainless SL-800-SS washdown models.
Floor scale size FAQs
What size floor scale do I need for a 48 x 40 pallet?
A 4' x 4' (48" x 48") floor scale fits a standard 48" x 40" pallet set down by a forklift. If you roll the pallet on with a pallet jack, choose a longer platform such as 4' x 6' so the jack's wheels are on the deck too.
Is a 5x5 floor scale better than a 4x4?
Not better, just bigger. A 5x5 gives more room for oversized pallets, crates and loads that overhang, but costs more and needs more floor space. If your loads fit a 48" x 48" deck with a margin, a 4x4 is enough.
What is the most common floor scale size?
The 4' x 4' (48" x 48") is the most common, because it fits the standard 48" x 40" pallet with room to spare.
How much does a 4x4 floor scale cost?
As of October 21, 2026, the SellEton SL-700 4x4 starts at $699 and the SL-800 4x4 NTEP legal-for-trade model starts at $1,199. Higher capacities cost more. Check the product page for the current price.
Can I get a floor scale in a custom size?
Yes. Use our build-your-own floor scale pages to choose size, capacity and indicator, or contact our team for a quote on a size that isn't listed.
Find the right floor scale
Browse all floor scales, or read our industrial floor scale guide and pallet scale guide. For help choosing a size, call SellEton Scales at (844) 735-5386 or send us a message.