The work aims to determine the number of steel nails that can meet the needs of safe use requirements of pallets. Pallet models with different numbers of steel nails were established through Iron CAD three-dimensional modeling software. Ansys Workbench software was used to perform finite element simulation analysis on a pallet with 1-5 steel nails. Then, a bending strength test of the pallet was conducted to obtain its actual deformation and compare the finite element results with the test results. Under the load of 3.5 kN, the maximum bending deformation of the pallet was continuously reduced. Finite element results:the maximum deformation of pallet with a nail tray was 48.624 mm, 2 nails was 46.139 mm, 3 nails was 38.740 mm, 4 nails was 25.280 mm, and 5 nails was 22.899 mm. Test results:the maximum deformation of pallet with 1 nail was 46.654 mm, 2 nails was 43.572 mm, 3 nails was 36.344 mm, 4 nails was 30.697 mm, and 5 nails was 27.273 mm. The test results had the same trend as the finite element results, verifying the reliability of the simulation. With the continuous increase in the number of steel nails, the bending resistance of plywood pallets is continuously enhanced. When the number of steel nails reaches 4, the safe use requirement of the pallet can be met.