Loading metre (LDM) calculator with 3D loading
Enter the dimensions and number of pieces — the calculator shows how many loading metres the cargo takes, lays the pallets out in 3D in a standard trailer or a container and calculates the transport cost at our rate. Happy with the price? Click “Order”.
How many LDM common pallets take
| Piece | Size | LDM per piece | In a 13.6 m trailer (one tier) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet (EUR) | 120 × 80 cm | 0.4 | 33 |
| Finnish pallet (FIN) | 120 × 100 cm | 0.5 | 26 |
| Half pallet | 80 × 60 cm | 0.2 | 66 |
| Industrial pallet | 120 × 120 cm | 0.6 | 22 |
Example: 12 euro pallets of 400 kg each, not stackable — 12 × 0.4 = 4.8 LDM, that is 35% of the trailer and a groupage shipment. The same pallets stacked in two tiers take 6 places on the floor, 2.4 LDM.
Groupage or a dedicated truck from Europe
Groupage from Europe travels through our warehouses in Warsaw and Vilnius — you only pay for your own loading metres. When the cargo takes most of the trailer, a dedicated truck is better value; the calculator compares both and shows the lower price.
Light but bulky cargo costs more than heavy and compact cargo because it takes floor space other shipments could use. The volumetric weight calculator explains how chargeable weight works, and the 3D loading view shows how pallets fit in the truck.
Road freight services
Frequently asked questions
What is an LDM (loading metre)?
An LDM is one metre of truck body length across its full width of 2.4 m. European carriers price groupage by loading metres: you pay not for the weight but for the part of the floor your cargo takes and that can no longer be used for someone else’s goods. A standard trailer has 13.6 LDM.
How are loading metres calculated?
LDM = length × width of a piece (in metres) ÷ 2.4. A euro pallet of 1.2 × 0.8 m takes 0.4 LDM: 1.2 × 0.8 / 2.4. If fewer pieces fit across the truck than the area suggests (for example, two pieces 1 m wide leave 40 cm that nothing fits into), the “effective” width is used — this calculator does the same. Cargo stacked in two tiers takes half the floor.
How many pallets fit in a truck?
33 euro pallets of 120 × 80 cm in one tier (13.6 LDM ÷ 0.4), 26 Finnish pallets of 120 × 100 cm, and up to 66 euro pallets when stacked in two tiers if weight and height allow (the internal height of a curtainsider is about 2.7 m). The payload of a standard truck is up to 24 t.
When is a dedicated truck better value?
Usually from 10–12 pallets or 15 m³ a dedicated truck costs no more than groupage and travels faster, without an intermediate warehouse. The calculator compares the price by loading metres with the price of a full truck and shows the lower one.
How accurate is the price?
It is an indication based on the current route rate. The manager confirms the final rate taking into account the collection address, weight, stackability and date — click “Order” and the request with the calculation reaches the manager at once. Minimum service fee €200.
Need an exact quote for your shipment?
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