Free Logistics Planning Tool
Category:Containers & Trailers

Loading Meter Calculator (LDM European Road Freight)

Calculate European road freight loading meters (LDM) and trailer floor space utilization.

Instant calculationAuditable formulasZero sign-up

Calculator Inputs

1

Freight

cm
cm
cm
2

Trailer

cm

Editable planning value. Use the usable width your carrier or forwarder works with.

cm

Used to check that the freight fits. Leave empty for no limit.

Advanced options
A

Orientation and stacking

cm

If entered, stacking is limited to what fits under it.

Instant client calculation
Precision Output

Live Calculation Results

Primary Result

Loading metres (LDM)

4.00 LDM

10 floor positions · 2.40 m trailer width (planning reference)

Floor length (physical LDM)
4.00 LDM40.0 cm
Area-basis LDM
4.00 LDMFloor area ÷ 2.40 m trailer width
Floor positions
10
Rows across the trailer length
5
Units per row (max)
2
Trailer length used
29.4%
Floor area utilization (used length)
100.0%

What this means

  • This layout requires 4.00 loading metres (LDM) of trailer floor length for 10 handling units (10 floor positions).
  • On a pure footprint area basis across the 2.40 m trailer width, the cargo equals 4.00 LDM. The difference reflects row spacing and floor geometry.
  • Fits within the entered 13.60 m trailer length (29.4% used, 9.60 m remaining).
  • Loading metres (LDM) is a European road freight planning convention. Carrier tariffs, minimum billable LDM rules, and equipment dimensions vary.
Trailer floor layout (top view)
Top view of items in trailer10 items placed on the floor. Drawn from the calculated coordinates.Front of trailer (x = 0)trailer length 1,360.0 cm240.0 cm

Turned 90°: 10

Assumptions used

  • 1 LDM = 1 metre of trailer length across the full usable trailer width.
  • 2.4 m usable width is a standard European freight forwarding planning reference, not an official equipment specification.
  • 13.6 m trailer length is a common European curtain-side / box semi-trailer planning reference assumption.
  • Euro pallet dimensions (120 × 80 cm) follow the standard EPAL EUR 1 specification.
  • Items are arranged to minimise occupied trailer length using deterministic 2D packing.
  • Stackability assumes uniform, stable cargo and legal axle weight compliance.

Compare with U.S./Canada Linear Feet →Standard pallet dimensions reference →

Planning Notice & Scope Boundary

Loading meter formulas are planning references. Freight forwarders establish their own commercial tariffs.

Auditable Mathematics

Formula & Calculation Methodology

1 LDM = 1 meter of trailer length across standard 2.4 m trailer width. LDM = (Length × Width) ÷ 2.4 m.

LDM = (Cargo Floor Length * Cargo Width) / 2.40 m
Variable Definitions & Unit Basis
VariableDefinition & Basis
LDMLademeter: floor length in meters occupied on a standard trailer
Trailer WidthStandard European trailer width (typically 2.40 m)
Engine Audit Trail

Worked Example: Euro Pallet LDM Calculation

Shipping 10 non-stackable Euro pallets (1.2 × 0.8 m) on a standard 2.4 m wide trailer.

Input Parameters

  • Pallet Size1.2 × 0.8 m (Euro pallet)
  • Quantity10 pallets
  • Trailer Width2.40 m

Step-by-Step Calculation Breakdown

  1. 1One Euro pallet area: 1.2 m × 0.8 m = 0.96 m².
  2. 2Theoretical LDM per pallet: 0.96 m² ÷ 2.4 m = 0.40 LDM.
  3. 3When loaded 2 abreast across trailer width: 2 pallets occupy 0.80 m of trailer length = 0.80 LDM (0.40 LDM each).
  4. 410 pallets arranged 2 abreast: 5 rows × 0.80 m = 4.00 LDM total.
Verified Engine Result: Loading Metres4.00 LDM
10 floor positions across 5 rows in a 2.4 m wide trailer.

Assumptions Used

  • Standard trailer usable width is 2.40 m (240 cm). Standard trailer length is 13.6 m (33 Euro pallet capacity).
  • Assumes items are loaded efficiently along trailer longitudinal axis.

Important Limitations

  • Loading meters is a European road freight planning convention. Consolidators enforce minimum LDM ratings.
Primary Documentation

Authoritative Standards & Sources

European road freight practiceVerified: 2026-10-06

Loading metres (LDM) — floor length of a standard trailer at full usable width ↗

One loading metre represents one metre of trailer length across the full usable width. Many forwarders use 2.4 m as the reference width.

EPAL (European Pallet Association)Verified: 2026-10-06

EPAL Euro pallet 1200 × 800 mm ↗

The Euro pallet footprint is 1200 × 800 mm.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a loading meter (LDM)?

A loading meter (Lademeter in German) represents one linear meter of cargo space along the length of a standard European truck trailer (which has an interior width of 2.4 meters).

How many LDM is a Euro pallet?

A standard Euro pallet (1200 × 800 mm) equals 0.4 LDM. Two Euro pallets placed side-by-side equal 0.8 LDM.

How many LDM is a full European truckload?

A standard full European semi-trailer (curtainsider or box trailer) is 13.6 meters long, providing 13.6 LDM of floor space (equivalent to 33 Euro pallets or 26 industrial pallets).

Sequential Planning Flow

What to Calculate Next

Freight planning connects sequentially from package dimensions to freight class, pallets, and full equipment:

Containers & TrailersLinear Feet Calculator →Calculate trailer floor length in linear feet occupied by North American LTL freight.Pallet PlanningPallet Loading & Stacking Calculator →Determine cartons per pallet, TI × HI stacking configurations, loaded height, gross weight, and visual layouts.
Knowledge Base

Related Reference Guides

Pallet Planning5 min read
Standard Pallet Sizes →A reference directory of the world’s major standardized pallet footprints, their regional adoption, ISO specifications, and handling characteristics.