How to Calculate LDM (Loading Meters)
Complete guide with formula, examples, and common pallet values
What is LDM?
LDM stands for Loading Meter (or Lademeter in German, mètre linéaire in French). It represents one linear meter of trailer floor space, measured along the length of the trailer, across the full standard width of 2.40 meters.
LDM is the standard unit used in European road freight to price LTL (less-than-truckload) shipments. When a forwarder quotes “€80 per LDM,” they mean €80 for each meter of trailer floor your cargo occupies.
The LDM Formula
Where length and width are in meters, and 2.4m is the standard European trailer width
If your cargo is stackable, divide the result by the stacking factor:
LDM Values for Common Pallets
These are the values every freight forwarder should know by heart:
| Pallet Type | Size (mm) | LDM per pallet | Per 13.6m trailer | Max weight/LDM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR / EPAL | 800 × 1200 | 0.4 LDM | 33 pallets | 1,850 kg |
| FIN / EUR6 | 1000 × 1200 | 0.5 LDM | 26 pallets | 1,850 kg |
| Half Pallet | 600 × 800 | 0.2 LDM | 66 pallets | 925 kg |
| Quarter Pallet | 400 × 600 | 0.1 LDM | 132 pallets | 462 kg |
| Industrial / UK | 1000 × 1200 | 0.5 LDM | 26 pallets | 1,850 kg |
How EUR Pallets Are Arranged
In a standard 13.6m trailer (2,480mm internal width):
- Crosswise (800mm side along trailer): 3 pallets fit across the width (3 × 800 = 2,400mm). Each row uses 1,200mm of trailer length. This gives 0.4 LDM per pallet.
- Lengthwise (1,200mm side along trailer): 2 pallets fit across (2 × 1,200 = 2,400mm). Each row uses 800mm. Also 0.4 LDM per pallet.
Both arrangements give the same LDM. The standard layout is 11 rows × 3 pallets = 33 EUR pallets per full trailer.
LDM Pricing — How It Works
In European LTL freight, the price is calculated based on whichever is higher: the actual LDM or the weight-based LDM.
The 1,850 kg Rule
The industry standard maximum weight per loading meter is 1,850 kg. If your cargo weighs more than 1,850 kg per LDM, the carrier calculates LDM from weight instead of dimensions:
Example: 10 EUR pallets at 1,500 kg each = 15,000 kg total. Dimension-based LDM = 10 × 0.4 = 4.0 LDM. Weight-based LDM = 15,000 ÷ 1,850 = 8.1 LDM. The carrier charges for 8.1 LDM because it's higher.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the stacking factor. If 10 pallets can be stacked 2-high, the LDM is 10 × 0.4 ÷ 2 = 2.0 LDM, not 4.0.
- Using the wrong trailer width. The standard is 2.40m for the formula, even though actual internal width is 2.48m. The extra 80mm is for loading tolerance.
- Ignoring overhang. Cargo wider than the pallet uses more LDM. A 1,000mm wide box on an 800mm EUR pallet counts as 0.5 LDM, not 0.4.
- Not checking the weight. Heavy cargo on few pallets almost always exceeds the 1,850 kg/LDM threshold.
Quick Reference
- 1 EUR pallet = 0.4 LDM
- 1 FIN pallet = 0.5 LDM
- Full trailer = 13.6 LDM = 33 EUR pallets = 26 FIN pallets
- Max weight per LDM = 1,850 kg
- Max payload standard trailer = 24,000 kg
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