Free LDM Calculator — Loading Meters Online

Short answer

To calculate loading meters, multiply cargo length by cargo width in meters, then divide by 2.4. If several identical units are loaded side by side, multiply the result by quantity. For stackable cargo, divide by the number of safe stack levels.

What are loading meters?

Loading meters (LDM) measure how much floor space cargo occupies on a trailer. One LDM equals one running meter of a standard 2.4m-wide trailer. A standard Euro pallet (120×80 cm) occupies 0.40 LDM.

How to calculate LDM

1. Enter cargo dimensions (length, width, height in cm)
2. Set quantity and weight per unit
3. Choose stackable or non-stackable
4. The calculator shows LDM, surface %, and suggests the best vehicle

LDM examples

• One Euro pallet: 1.20 m x 0.80 m / 2.4 = 0.40 LDM.
• Ten non-stackable Euro pallets: 10 x 0.40 = 4.00 LDM.
• One industrial pallet: 1.20 m x 1.00 m / 2.4 = 0.50 LDM.
• A 4.0 m x 1.2 m machine base: 4.0 x 1.2 / 2.4 = 2.00 LDM.

Common pallet types

• Euro pallet (EUR/EPAL): 120×80 cm = 0.40 LDM
• Industrial pallet: 100×120 cm = 0.50 LDM
• Half Euro pallet: 80×60 cm = 0.20 LDM

Vehicle capacities

• Standard semitrailer: 13.6m = 13.60 LDM (33 euro pallets)
• Mega trailer: 13.6m × 3.0m height = 13.60 LDM
• Solo truck 8m: 8.0 LDM (18 euro pallets)
• Van/Bus 4.8m: 4.8 LDM (8 euro pallets)

When to use LDM in transport quotes

• Use LDM when cargo consumes floor length before it reaches vehicle weight capacity.
• Use non-stackable LDM for fragile, tall, uneven, or top-load-restricted freight.
• Combine LDM with gross weight, height, loading method, ADR status, and route constraints before quoting.

Common mistakes

• Using pallet count only, without checking whether the load is stackable.
• Ignoring cargo overhang, packaging, or required loading gaps.
• Treating LDM as final price. LDM is a capacity measure; transport price still depends on route, vehicle, timing, and restrictions.

LDM FAQ

Is LDM the same as pallet space?

No. Pallet space is a practical loading unit. LDM is a floor-length calculation based on a standard 2.4 m trailer width.

Does height affect LDM?

Height does not change the floor-space formula, but it affects stackability and vehicle choice.

Can LDM calculate transport price?

LDM helps estimate capacity. A transport quote still needs route, loading windows, weight, permits, and vehicle availability.