LTL trailer space
Linear feet calculator for freight
Linear feet are the length of trailer floor your freight occupies. The calculator tries both ways of turning the freight, fits as many across the trailer as the width allows, and keeps the orientation that uses fewer feet.
How the calculation works
Pieces across the trailer are the trailer width divided by the freight’s across-dimension, rounded down. Rows are the quantity divided by how many fit in a row, rounded up. Linear feet are the rows multiplied by the along-dimension in feet.
If you mark the freight stackable, layers are limited by the trailer’s inside height and by the stack count you set. A US 53 ft van is offered at 98 inches and at 96 inches of usable width. The UK preset is a 13.6 metre trailer, 2.45 metres wide and 2.70 metres high inside.
Many US LTL carriers apply a linear-foot rule around 12 feet. The page flags that length. It is a warning, not a determination of any carrier’s tariff.
Worked examples
Six 48 × 40 in pallets on a 96 in wide trailer
- Linear feet
- 10
- 12 ft flag
- No
Eight of the same pallets cross the 12 ft flag
- Linear feet
- 13.33
- 12 ft flag
- Yes
Two 120 × 80 cm pallets on a UK 13.6 m trailer
- Linear feet
- 2.62
- 12 ft flag
- No
Questions
How are freight linear feet calculated?
Find how many pieces fit side by side, and how many rows that makes. Linear feet equal the number of rows times the length of one row. The page chooses the rotation that occupies less trailer.
What is the 12-foot rule?
Some US LTL carriers rate a shipment differently when it occupies 12 linear feet or more. Rules differ. The flag on this page only means the estimate reached 12 feet.
Which trailer width should I use?
98 inches is a common US dry-van interior. 96 inches is a conservative usable width once you allow for dunnage. UK 13.6 metre trailers are planned here at 245 centimetres wide.
Does stacking reduce linear feet?
Yes, when you mark the freight stackable and the trailer height can take another layer.