Loading metre (LDM) calculator
Enter your pallet or package size, quantity and stacking to see the loading metres, the share of a standard trailer and a chargeable weight.
How the calculation works
A loading metre (LDM) is one metre of trailer floor, measured along the full width of the trailer. That width is taken as 2.4 m. Road carriers price groupage this way because floor space runs out before the weight limit does.
The formula in plain words: multiply the length and width of the pallet in metres, multiply by the number of pallets, then divide by 2.4. If the pallets can be stacked, divide again by the number of layers.
A worked example
You send 10 Euro pallets, each 120 x 80 cm. That is 1.2 x 0.8 x 10 = 9.6 m², divided by 2.4 = 4.0 LDM. On a standard 13.6 m trailer, which has 13.6 LDM, that is about 29 percent of the floor. If the pallets can be stacked two high, the figure halves to 2.0 LDM.
Common pallet sizes in LDM
Single layer, not stacked, from the formula above.
0.40 LDM each
About 2.5 pallets per loading metre on paper. A full trailer takes up to about 33 in practice.
0.50 LDM each
Two pallets per loading metre on paper. A full trailer takes up to about 26 in practice.
13.6 LDM
The usual size for a full truck load (FTL) in Germany and the EU.
Why non-stackable cargo costs more
A pallet that cannot be stacked uses its floor space and blocks the space above it. Ten non-stackable pallets take twice the loading metres of the same ten stacked two high. Carriers see the unused height as lost capacity, and the price reflects it.
Groupage carriers also convert loading metres into weight. A common rule is 1 LDM to about 1,850 kg, so our 4.0 LDM example would be priced as roughly 7,400 kg even if the pallets weigh far less. The ratio varies by carrier and by country, so always ask which one applies.
When the result is only a rough guide
The calculator gives you a planning figure. The carrier’s loading plan decides the final one. Overhanging pallets, mixed sizes, goods that must be unloaded first, and axle load limits can all change how the trailer is packed.
When the total heads towards 10 LDM or more, a dedicated truck is often worth pricing against groupage. TradeRoute EU quotes both on request. Read more about road freight in Germany and the EU. For sea and air cargo, use the CBM calculator or the chargeable weight calculator.
Common questions about loading metres
What is a loading metre?
One metre of trailer floor over the full width of the trailer, about 2.4 m. It is the unit road carriers use to price space in groupage and part loads.
How do I calculate LDM for pallets?
Multiply pallet length by width in metres, multiply by the quantity and divide by 2.4. Divide by the number of layers if the pallets are stackable.
How many loading metres are in a trailer?
A standard 13.6 m trailer has 13.6 LDM.
How many kilos is one loading metre?
Many groupage carriers use about 1,850 kg per LDM for pricing, but the figure varies by carrier and country. Ask for the ratio before you compare quotes.
Do Euro pallets and industrial pallets use the same LDM?
No. A Euro pallet (120 x 80 cm) is 0.40 LDM and an industrial pallet (120 x 100 cm) is 0.50 LDM, both in a single layer.
Get a road freight quote
Send the pallet sizes, quantities, weights and the collection and delivery addresses to TradeRoute EU. You get a reply within 24 business hours with an itemised quote for groupage or a full truck.
Request a quote