How do you calculate loading meters? Loading meter calculator (LDM)
In the transport sector, we almost never speak of actual meters. Instead, we use Loading meters (LDM). This is a different metric, adapted to the truck and its capacity. For our truckers and planners, this is daily business, so they know exactly how to work with these meters. I can imagine that calculating loading meters is not so straightforward for you as an importer or exporter. Nevertheless, you need this information if you want to export a pallet or a shipment of a different size. This is how you approach calculating loading meters.
This blog helps you understand loading meters and how to calculate them!
How to calculate loading meters
Loading meters are calculated based on the size of the actual goods or pallet, which is then multiplied by a coefficient that takes into account the capacity of the truck and its trailer. Loading meters are particularly important for freight that cannot be stacked. By calculating the loading meter, a freight forwarder can compensate for the lost space above the cargo that cannot be used and save money. Loading meters are therefore extremely useful for maximizing a truck’s capacity.
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So how do we calculate a loading meter in logistics? To do this, we use the following formula:
Length of the goods X width of the goods / width of the truck
As a standard in European countries, we calculate using a truck width of 2.4 meters.
Calculating the loading meter: An example
Example for a Euro pallet: A pallet of goods is 0.80 meters X 1.20 meters. This means we multiply 0.80 X 1.20 = 0.96; divided by 2.40 gives 0.4 loading meters.
Example for a Block pallet: A pallet of goods is 1.00 meter X 1.20 meters. This means we multiply 1.00 X 1.20 = 1.2; divided by 2.40 gives 0.5 loading meters.
Loading meter calculation tool
You can, of course, always calculate this manually for your transport. The Loading meter calculator below makes it a bit easier for you! Enter the floor length and width to get the floor area of your shipment in centimeters. The loading meter calculator tool immediately gives you the number of loading meters for your goods.
Why is calculating loading meters important?
Within road transport, the term loading meter occurs frequently. It is used as a unit of calculation (or dimensioning) for cargo that may not be stacked and where nothing may be placed on top. Consequently, space is sometimes “lost.” That is a waste! You want to utilize every cubic meter of the truck to the maximum and not waste any volume. That is why we calculate loading meters, and thus the maximum pallet load, to fill the loading space. You must also include this information in a CMR waybill.
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Standard sizes
The most commonly used types of pallets have fixed dimensions. A Euro pallet is standard 0.4 loading meters and a block pallet is standard 0.5 loading meters. Would you like an overview of all commonly used pallet types and their corresponding loading meters? Then check out our blog about pallets for a complete overview!
Is there a weight limit per loading meter?
There is a maximum weight for the amount that can be transported per loading meter. These vary depending on the vehicle type and can reach a maximum of 30 tons per loading meter. For a standard truck trailer, the maximum capacity is 1,750 kg per loading meter.
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How many pallets fit in a truck?
This largely depends on the size of a pallet and the dimensions of the truck. A standard truck has a capacity of 13.50 loading meters. Most trucks can therefore transport approximately 33 pallets. This depends on the type of truck and its payload capacity. It is important to realize that there are different pallet sizes. The most common sizes are mini pallets (80×60), Euro pallets (80×120), and block pallets (100×120). Mini pallets are 0.2 loading meters, Euro pallets are 0.4 loading meters, and block pallets are 0.5 loading meters.
What is the payload capacity of a truck?
Gross payload
To calculate the gross payload, you subtract the weight of the chassis from the total permitted weight of the truck. The weight of the chassis can be found in the corresponding specification sheets.
Net payload
The net payload is the gross payload minus the weight of the body. This net payload can also be found on a registration certificate under, surprisingly enough, “payload.”
An overview of all maximum weights and dimensions for various vehicles is shared via the RDW.