Loading metre (LDM) calculator
Loading metres show how much trailer length your goods take up. Enter the size of one pallet or item, the quantity and how many can be stacked.
- Loading metres
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- Share of a 13.6 m trailer
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- EUR pallet places (0.4 LDM each)
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- Chargeable weight at this rate
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Reference calculation. Carriers may round LDM up (often to 0.1 m) and apply minimums.
How loading metres are calculated
One loading metre is 1 m of trailer length across its full width of 2.4 m. Formula: LDM = length (m) × width (m) ÷ 2.4 × floor positions.
Goods that can be stacked take fewer floor positions: 10 pallets stacked two high use 5 positions.
Example: 10 EUR pallets 1.2 × 0.8 m, not stackable: 1.2 × 0.8 ÷ 2.4 × 10 = 4 LDM, about 29 % of a 13.6 m trailer.
Typical values
| Load | Size | LDM per piece |
|---|---|---|
| EUR pallets | 1.20 × 0.80 m | 0.40 |
| FIN pallets | 1.20 × 1.00 m | 0.50 |
| US pallets | 1.22 × 1.02 m | 0.52 |
| Half pallet | 0.80 × 0.60 m | 0.20 |
Questions and answers
How many EUR pallets fit in a 13.6 m trailer?
By the formula 34, in practice 33: three pallets across in 11 rows of 1.2 m.
How much weight is 1 LDM?
Carriers convert loading metres to a chargeable weight, often between 1,500 and 1,850 kg per LDM. The rate varies by carrier and route, so ask yours.
Why 2.4 m?
It is the usual inside width of a European semi-trailer. Some carriers use 2.45 or 2.48 m; the difference is under 4 %.