How to Choose Jack Stands: Weight Ratings, Safety and Styles
How to choose jack stands: weight ratings and the capacity rule of thumb, what ASME PASE 2019 means, pin style vs ratchet, where to place them, and common mistakes.
Short answer: Choose jack stands rated for more than the weight they will actually hold, certified to ASME PASE 2019, and tall enough for your vehicle. A common rule of thumb is that a pair of stands should be rated for at least the full weight of the vehicle, which leaves plenty of margin because a pair usually holds only one end. Set them on flat, solid concrete under a lifting point the vehicle maker approves, and never work under a car held up by a jack alone.
This guide covers weight ratings, the ASME safety standard, pin style versus ratchet stands, where to place them, and the mistakes we see most often. You can compare the stands we carry on our jack stands page.
Jack stand weight ratings
Jack stands are rated in tons, and the number on the box is almost always the rating for the pair, not for each stand. A pair of 3 ton jack stands is rated for 6,000 lb combined, or about 3,000 lb per stand. Read the label or spec sheet so you know which number you are looking at.
When you lift one end of a vehicle, the stands carry only part of its weight, but the split is rarely even. A front engine car can put well over half its weight on the front axle, and a loaded pickup can carry far more in the bed than you expect. That is why the usual rule of thumb is to buy a pair rated for at least the full curb weight of the vehicle, and more if you work on loaded trucks. Find the curb weight on the door jamb sticker or in the owner's manual.
Three examples from the stands we carry:
- Martins MJS 3T 3 Ton Jack Stands: 6,600 lb per pair, with a lifting range of 11 13/16" to 17 3/8". Made for cars, SUVs and pickups.
- Martins MJS 6T 6 Ton Jack Stands: 13,200 lb per pair, with a lifting range of 14 13/16" to 22 11/16". Made for passenger vehicles, pickups and some medium duty trucks.
- Martins 13.2 Ton Professional Jack Stands: 26,400 lb per pair, with a lifting range of 19 3/16" to 29 5/8". Built for heavy truck work.
Height matters as much as capacity. A stand that is too short for a lifted truck, or too tall to fit under a lowered car, is the wrong stand no matter what it is rated for.
Safety standards: what ASME PASE 2019 means
In the United States, jack stands are covered by ASME PASE, the safety standard for portable automotive service equipment published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The 2019 edition is the current one most manufacturers certify to. It sets design and performance requirements for jack stands and similar equipment, including load testing beyond the rated capacity, and it requires the rated capacity to be clearly marked on the stand along with operating instructions and warnings.
Certification tells you the design met the standard when it was tested. It does not make a damaged or misused stand safe, and it does not replace inspection. A stand that is bent, cracked, rusted through, or missing its pin should be taken out of service. Both the Martins MJS 3T and MJS 6T list ASME PASE 2019 certification in their specifications.
Pin style vs ratchet jack stands
Most stands lock their height one of two ways.
Pin style jack stands
The center column has a row of holes, and a heavy steel pin passes through the column at the height you choose. All three Martins stands above use this design.
- Pros: the load rests on a solid pin, the lock is easy to see at a glance, and there are few parts to wear.
- Cons: height adjusts in fixed steps, and the pin has to be lined up and inserted by hand, which is slower.
Ratchet jack stands
The column has teeth, and a spring loaded pawl drops into them as you raise it. A handle releases the pawl to lower the stand.
- Pros: quick to set, with finer height steps.
- Cons: the lock depends on a pawl and teeth staying clean and in good shape, and it is harder to confirm the pawl is fully seated. Many ratchet stands add a backup pin or locking handle for this reason.
Either style can be safe when it is certified and used correctly. Many professionals prefer pin style stands for long jobs and heavy vehicles because the lock is so simple to check.
Where to place jack stands
Start with a solid floor
Use stands on a flat, level concrete floor. Asphalt can soften on a hot day and let a stand sink, and gravel, dirt or grass can shift under load. Chock the wheels that stay on the ground and set the parking brake before you lift.
Use the right lifting points
Your owner's manual or service manual shows the approved lifting and support points. Common choices are frame rails, reinforced subframe points and solid axle tubes. Avoid floor pans, suspension arms that can move, oil pans and anything that is not designed to carry the vehicle's weight.
Pinch welds
Many unibody cars use the pinch weld, the seam that runs under the rocker panel, as a support point. A bare steel saddle can bend or chip it. Use a pad or adapter made for pinch welds. The Martins MJS 3T and MJS 6T saddles have a rubber pad so the weld sits on rubber rather than bare steel.
Set them and test them
Set both stands to the same height, lower the vehicle slowly onto them, and keep the jack close in as a backup when the job allows. Give the vehicle a firm push before you go under. If anything moves, lift it back up and reset the stands.
Common jack stand mistakes
- Working under a vehicle held by a jack alone. Floor jacks and bottle jacks are made for lifting, not holding. Always transfer the load to stands.
- Reading the pair rating as a per stand rating. A 6 ton pair is about 3 tons per stand.
- Buying for the empty vehicle. Plan for tools, cargo or a loaded bed.
- Soft or uneven ground. Asphalt, gravel and sloped driveways all let stands shift or sink.
- Using the wrong support point. Check the manual, and protect pinch welds.
- Mismatched heights or mixed stands. Use a matching pair at the same setting.
- Extending a stand to its limit and then piling blocks under it. If the stand is too short, you need a taller stand.
- Ignoring damage. Retire stands that are bent, cracked or missing parts.
Frequently asked questions
What size jack stands do I need?
As a rule of thumb, choose a pair rated for at least the full curb weight of your vehicle, then check that the lifting range fits it. For most cars and small SUVs, a 3 ton pair is a common choice. Pickups and heavier SUVs usually call for 6 ton jack stands or larger.
Is a jack stand rating per stand or per pair?
It is usually per pair. A pair of 3 ton jack stands holds about 3,000 lb per stand. Check the label to be sure.
Are pin style jack stands safer than ratchet stands?
Both can be safe when certified and used properly. Pin style stands are simpler to check because you can see the pin through the column.
Can I use jack stands on asphalt?
It is not recommended. Asphalt can soften and let a stand sink, especially in heat. Use a flat concrete floor.
What does ASME PASE 2019 mean on jack stands?
It means the stand was certified to the 2019 edition of the ASME safety standard for portable automotive service equipment, which covers design, load testing and labeling.
Ready to pick a pair? Browse our jack stands, or contact us with your vehicle and the work you do and we will help you choose the right capacity and height.
