Aisle Width Is a Truck Decision First
Direct answer: Minimum racking aisle width by truck type is roughly 3.5–4.0 m for counterbalance, 2.7–3.2 m for reach trucks and under 2.0 m for VNA. These are starting points only — the governing figure is the truck's right-angle stacking dimension plus clearance.
Start from the truck, not the rack
Every forklift class carries a minimum aisle requirement: standard counterbalance trucks need the widest aisles, reach trucks less, and guided very-narrow-aisle (VNA) trucks the least. The rack itself can be arranged for almost any width; the truck sets the floor.
Measure the truck's published turning radius with its longest likely load, then add clearance per side. That sum, not the rack footprint, defines your aisle.
Trading density against speed
Narrower aisles raise storage density but slow travel and demand higher driver skill and better floor flatness. For many warehouses, a mid-width aisle with reach trucks beats a very narrow layout once training and damage costs are counted.
Pilot one aisle at the target width and measure put-away time before converting the whole floor.
FAQ
What is a typical aisle width for reach trucks?
Commonly around 2.6 to 2.9 metres depending on truck model and pallet size. Always confirm with the truck manufacturer's aisle guide for your exact load.
Does narrower aisle change rack strength requirements?
Indirectly yes: tighter aisles raise the chance of rack impacts, so column guards and end-of-aisle protection become more important.
Can aisles be different widths in one warehouse?
Yes. Fast-moving SKUs can sit in wider-aisle selective bays while slow movers go into a narrow-aisle block, matching handling speed to turnover.
All figures above refer to standard product data sheets; final confirmation is subject to written quotation.