Forklift Fork Capacity Chart

Forklift fork capacity is rated per pair at a 24" load center — the tables below list the rated capacity for every blade cross-section Next Lift stocks, by carriage class and fork type. Find your class (measure your carriage: 16" = Class 2, 20" = Class 3, 25" = Class 4), then match the width × thickness stamped or measured on your fork shank.

Standard taper forklift fork capacities

Class	Width × thickness	Capacity per pair @ 24" LC	Lengths stocked
Class 2	4" × 1.25"	4,000 lb	42", 48"
Class 2	4" × 1.5"	5,500 lb	42"–96"
Class 2	5" × 1.5"	6,400 lb	42"–96"
Class 2	4" × 1.75"	6,800 lb	42"–96"
Class 2	5" × 1.75"	8,200 lb	42"–96"
Class 2	4" × 2"	8,400 lb	42"–96"
Class 2	5" × 2"	10,200 lb	108", 120"
Class 3	5" × 1.75"	8,200 lb	42"–96"
Class 3	5" × 2"	10,200 lb	42"–96"
Class 3	6" × 2"	12,600 lb	48"–120"
Class 4	6" × 2"	12,600 lb	48"–96"
Class 4	6" × 2.25"	18,200 lb	48"–96"
Class 4	6" × 2.5"	21,400 lb	48"–120"

Full taper & polish (FTP) fork capacities

Class	Width × thickness	Capacity per pair @ 24" LC	Lengths stocked
Class 2	4" × 1.5"	5,500 lb	42"–72"
Class 2	5" × 1.5"	6,400 lb	42"–72"
Class 2	4" × 1.75"	6,800 lb	42"–72"
Class 2	5" × 1.75"	8,200 lb	42"–72"
Class 3	6" × 1.5"	8,000 lb	42"–72"
Class 3	7" × 1.5"	9,600 lb	42"–72"
Class 3	8" × 1.5"	10,800 lb	42"–72"
Class 4	6" × 2"	12,600 lb	42"–72"
Class 4	12" × 1.5"	16,200 lb	42"–72"
Class 4	8" × 2"	16,800 lb	48"–72"
Class 4	10" × 1.75"	18,200 lb	42"–72"

Shaft mount fork capacities

Width × thickness	Capacity per pair @ 24" LC	Lengths stocked
5" × 2"	10,200 lb	42"–96"
6" × 2.5"	21,400 lb	42"–96"
6" × 3"	28,400 lb	42"–96"
7" × 3"	34,200 lb	42"–96"
8" × 3"	38,000 lb	42"–96"

How to read these numbers

Capacity is per pair, at a 24" load center. A 24" load center means the load's weight is centered 24" out from the fork face — the middle of a standard 48" pallet. If your load's center of mass sits farther out, real capacity drops roughly in proportion: as a working estimate, a fork rated 10,000 lb at a 24" load center handles about 10,000 × 24 ÷ 36 ≈ 6,600 lb at a 36" load center. For long or irregular loads, calculate before you lift.

The truck's data plate always governs. Forks rated above your forklift's capacity don't increase what the truck can lift — the lower of the two numbers is the limit. See What Class Fork Do I Need? for how class and capacity relate, including the truck configurations where capacity misleads you.

Worn forks lose capacity. A fork whose heel has worn 10% below original blade thickness has lost roughly 20% of its rated capacity and should be retired. How to check: measure your forks at the shank vs. the heel.

Shop by capacity

Under 10,000 lb: start with Class 2 forks. 8,000–12,600 lb: Class 3 forks. 12,600–21,400 lb: Class 4 forks. Above that, or on a pin-type carriage: shaft mount forks to 38,000 lb. For thin or fragile loads at any capacity, see full taper & polish forks.

Don't see the exact size or capacity you need? We fabricate. Call 937-387-8140 or email forks@next-lift.com with your carriage measurement and load details.