Loading Metres

Loading metres (LDM) are a standardised measurement from the forwarding and transport industry. They serve as a simple basis for calculating the loading volume and then billing the transport service. They are used as a measurement when loading trucks in particular; however, moving companies calculate with cubic metres.

One loading metre corresponds to exactly one metre of the length of the truck’s loading space and the entire width of the truck (standardised value in Germany 2.4m). For European truck bodies, the height of a loading metre corresponds to 5.76 metres.

The loading metre value can be calculated with a formula:
(length x width of the goods in m) / 2.4.

Example:

• Semi-trailer (German standard) (L 13.6 x W 2.4m) = (13.6 x 2.4) / 2.4 = 13.6 ldm
• 1 euro pallet (L 1.20 x W 0.80m) = (1.20 x 0.8) / 2.4 = 0.4 ldm
• 2 euro pallets (L 1.20 x W 0.80m) = (2 x 1.20 x 0.8) / 2.4 = 0.8 ldm

In most cases, goods are secured on euro pallets that are already optimised to match the width of the truck’s loading area, since two euro pallets measuring 1.20m each fill out the truck’s width exactly.  If no standardised loading units are used, the calculation of the loading metres becomes complicated.

However, the usage does not replace the loading plan for the means of transport. During the calculation of the loading plan, the stackability (e.g. of pallets), requirements regarding dangerous goods and load safety need to be taken into account as well. For example, in the case of loading units with special dimensions, additional load securing equipment needs to be used to avoid damage during transport due to empty spaces between the loading units.

In the TMS CarLo as well, planning and price calculation can be carried out based on loading metres, among other things. Additionally, thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, automated tour suggestions can be created, which, for example, take restrictions such as the maximum weight or ldm into account.