Fork tapers enhance the entry of the fork into a load. Different tips and/or bevels will ease that task. These 3 features can be tailored to facillitate load handling:

Typically, Tip No.1 is standard on forks up to and including 7" wide, No. 3 is standard on forks wider than 7". Standard Taper forks generally come without a beveled tip and Full Taper forks have  a top bevel tip as illustrated above.  All combinations are available.