When transporting full or composite loads in a flatbed semi-trailer across Europe, a standardised unit of measurement on the truck – the loading metre or laden metre – is often used to calculate the price of a particular load. The loading metre is abbreviated as LDM, a generally accepted unit of measurement for the volume of freight transported. In a truck, one LDM is equivalent to one metre of space of the length of the truck carrying the load.
Use the LDM calculator below to calculate the number of cargo-metres in your truck.
LDM calculator
Number of pallets: 1
Maximum weight per pallet:
0 kg
Total maximum weight:
0 kg
LDM (Loading meters):
0
What is the LDM calculator, and what is it used for?
The LDM calculator makes it easy to calculate the cargo metres in a truck. Regardless of the size of the goods or the type of pallet chosen for the transport (e.g. Euro pallets or bag pallets), the LDM Calculator can convert the existing dimensions (cm) of the goods into load metres or stacking metres.
The LDM calculator calculates the vehicle’s floor space in which the goods or pallets will be placed. The stacking metre calculation multiplies the corresponding load length by the load width. The resulting product is further divided by 2.4 m, which is most often the standard truck width.
LDM = load length (m) x load width (m) / 2.4m
There is also a maximum weight per stacking metre. The weight of one LDM may not exceed 1,850 kg. However, if this weight is exceeded, it is compensated by increasing the number of LDMs in the load (e.g. 2 LDMs instead of 1 LDM).
What are the pallet types and sizes?
The pallet is an essential piece of transport equipment on which goods are placed during transport. The pallet makes transporting goods safer and makes it easier and quicker to move them, both at loading and unloading. Pallet standards in Europe are different from American, Asian or Australian tandem pallets.
Pallets come in several types and vary in size and weight. They can be placed on a pallet when carrying a full load. The most commonly used pallets in European freight transport are Euro pallets, Finnish pallets and industrial or English pallets.
Euro palette
Size: 120 x 80 cm
Maximum weight: 740 kg
Maximum height: 2.7 m
Euro pallets have commonly known marking abbreviations such as EPAL, EUR1 or EUR-pallet. The Euro pallet has a maximum load weight of 740 kg and is the most popular type of pallet in European freight transport. One euro pallet takes up 0.4 LDM of the lorry space in transport.
Finnish palette
Size: 120 x 100 cm
Maximum weight: 925 kg
Maximum height: 2.7 m
The most popular abbreviation for a bag pallet is FINPAL, FIN-PLL or FIN-pallet, and it is not only slightly larger than a euro plate, but also the load weight on a bag pallet is slightly higher (up to 925 kg). One pallet of bags in transport takes up 0,5 LDM of the truck space.
Industrial palette
Size: 120 x 120 cm
Maximum weight: 1,100 kg
Maximum height: 2.7 m
The industrial or English pallet is the largest standardised pallet size in Europe. Its stable platform and robust construction provide multiple load-handling options while reducing the risk of damage to the load. One industrial or English pallet takes up 0.6 LDM of the truck space in transport.
