When requesting a road freight quote, you may be asked for the number of loading metres required. This is often shown as LDM.
Loading metres are used to measure how much trailer floor space a shipment occupies. The calculation is particularly important for non-stackable pallets, long items and part-load freight.
Providing an accurate loading metre calculation helps the freight forwarder select the right service and obtain a reliable price.
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What is a loading metre?
One loading metre is one metre of trailer length across the full internal width of the vehicle. For calculation purposes, the standard trailer width is normally taken as 2.4 metres.
This means that one loading metre represents a floor area of:
1 metre × 2.4 metres = 2.4 square metres
A standard articulated trailer is usually around 13.6 loading metres long. However, the usable capacity can be affected by the trailer type, internal dimensions, weight distribution and the way in which individual items must be positioned.
Loading metres are mainly used for European road freight, including groupage and part-load transport. They allow carriers to divide the available trailer floor between consignments from different customers.
How to calculate loading metres
The standard loading metre formula is:
Length in metres × width in metres ÷ 2.4 = loading metres
For several identical items, use:
Quantity × length × width ÷ 2.4 = total loading metres
Always use the dimensions of the complete packed item. This includes the pallet, crate, case or any packaging that extends beyond the product itself.
Example 1: A standard UK pallet
A standard UK pallet measures 1.2 metres by 1 metre.
1.2 × 1 ÷ 2.4 = 0.5 LDM
One non-stackable UK pallet therefore occupies approximately 0.5 loading metres.
Ten identical non-stackable pallets would require:
10 × 1.2 × 1 ÷ 2.4 = 5 LDM
Example 2: A Euro pallet
A Euro pallet normally measures 1.2 metres by 0.8 metres.
1.2 × 0.8 ÷ 2.4 = 0.4 LDM
One non-stackable Euro pallet therefore occupies approximately 0.4 loading metres. This is consistent with the standard calculation outlined in the Davies Turner loading metre guide.
Example 3: A large shipping crate
A crate measures 3 metres long and 1.6 metres wide.
3 × 1.6 ÷ 2.4 = 2 LDM
Although the crate is only 3 metres long, its width means that it uses space which may prevent other freight from being loaded alongside it. Its calculated requirement is therefore 2 loading metres.
How does stackability affect loading metres?
The basic calculation measures the floor area occupied by the goods. If pallets can be safely stacked, fewer floor positions may be required.
For example, eight identical Euro pallets would normally use:
8 × 1.2 × 0.8 ÷ 2.4 = 3.2 LDM
If the pallets can be stacked two high, only four pallets need to stand on the trailer floor. The theoretical requirement becomes:
3.2 ÷ 2 = 1.6 LDM
Stackability should never be assumed. The goods, packaging and pallets must all be capable of supporting the weight placed above them. The combined height must also fit safely inside the trailer.
When asking Barrington Freight for a quotation, confirm whether the cargo is:
- Fully stackable
- Stackable only with identical pallets
- Limited to a particular number of layers
- Completely non-stackable
- Fragile or unsuitable for top loading
If goods are described as stackable but cannot be stacked when collected, the carrier may apply an additional charge or refuse the collection.
Loading metres versus cubic metres
Loading metres and cubic metres measure different things.
Cubic metres, or CBM, measure the total volume of a shipment:
Length × width × height = CBM
Loading metres measure the trailer floor space required. Height is therefore not part of the basic LDM formula.
This distinction matters because a shipment can have a modest volume but occupy substantial floor space. For example, a wide, low crate may have a relatively small CBM measurement but still prevent other goods from being placed beside or above it.
CBM is useful for stackable freight. Loading metres are often more relevant when the cargo:
- Cannot have anything placed on top
- Is unusually long or wide
- Has an irregular shape
- Must be loaded in a particular direction
- Requires clear space around it
- Cannot be positioned beside other freight
- Needs dedicated floor space for safe securing
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Why loading metres affect freight prices
Groupage and part-load rates are based on the capacity used within a vehicle. That capacity may be assessed by weight, volume, pallet spaces or loading metres.
A light shipment is not necessarily inexpensive to transport. If it occupies a large section of the trailer floor and cannot be stacked, the carrier cannot use that space for other consignments.
Carriers may also convert loading metres into a chargeable weight. The precise conversion and rounding rules vary between transport companies, so the final price may not match a simple manual calculation. Load planning, axle weights and unused gaps between items can also affect the chargeable space.
Common loading metre mistakes
At Barrington Freight, one of the most common quoting problems is receiving the product dimensions rather than the final packed dimensions. A machine may be 2 metres long, for example, but its export case could be considerably larger.
Other common issues include:
- Dimensions supplied in centimetres but entered as metres
- Pallet overhang not included
- Protective frames omitted from the measurements
- Cargo marked as stackable without confirming its load-bearing capacity
- Irregular items treated as though every part of the footprint can be used
- The quantity of pallets changing after the quotation
- Long goods requiring additional handling space
These differences can change the number of loading metres and the transport cost.
Information required for an accurate road freight quote
To calculate loading metres and quote the correct service, provide:
- The number of pallets, crates or other handling units
- The packed length, width and height of every item
- The gross weight of each item
- Whether the goods are stackable
- Any pallet overhang
- Details of fragile or uneven surfaces
- Loading and unloading facilities
- Any access restrictions
- Photographs or technical drawings for unusual cargo
For mixed consignments, each pallet or package type should be calculated separately before the loading metre figures are added together.
Planning loading metres with Barrington Freight
Loading metres provide a useful starting point for planning European road freight, but the calculation must reflect how the cargo can actually be loaded.
Barrington Freight can assess the dimensions, weights, stackability and handling requirements before obtaining rates from its road freight partners. This helps determine whether groupage, part load or a dedicated vehicle is the most suitable option.
Accurate information at the quotation stage reduces the risk of revised charges, collection problems and insufficient vehicle space. If the cargo is oversized, irregular or difficult to stack, photographs can also help us plan the shipment correctly.
About the Author
Simon Poole began his career in production planning, quickly rising to manage 24-hour manufacturing lines and oversee a team of 140 staff. In 2007, he joined Barrington Freight, where he brought his operational expertise into the logistics sector. Appointed Operations Director in 2021, Simon now leads all day-to-day operations, including sea, air and European freight, working closely with clients and partners worldwide.
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