Double-Deep Racking Vs Single Deep Racking

Time:5/21/2025

When planning your warehouse layout, selecting the right racking system is essential to balancing storage capacity, inventory accessibility, and operational efficiency. Two popular pallet racking options are single-deep racking and double-deep racking—each with its own strengths and ideal applications.

Single-deep racking is the most straightforward and widely used pallet storage system. It allows for 100% selectivity, meaning every pallet is directly accessible without moving others. This makes it ideal for warehouses with a high number of SKUs and fast inventory turnover. It also supports a FIFO (First-In, First-Out) inventory flow, which is important for goods with expiration dates or strict batch control. Additionally, it is compatible with standard forklifts, which helps keep equipment costs down and improves handling speed.

Double-deep racking, on the other hand, places two pallets deep per position. This increases storage density significantly by reducing the number of aisles required. However, it offers only 50% selectivity, since rear pallets are blocked by the front ones and require removal of the front pallet to access. It generally supports a LIFO (Last-In, First-Out) system and requires deep-reach forklifts for operation. While the initial setup and equipment may cost more, it provides a space-saving solution ideal for storing large quantities of the same product.

In summary, single-deep racking is best for flexibility and high SKU variety, while double-deep racking is ideal when maximizing storage capacity is the top priority.

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