Open full LogicCalc →CBM to LDM Calculator
Estimate loading metres from cargo volume by dividing CBM by the entered usable trailer width and assumed loaded cargo height.
Inputs
Practical guide
The calculator turns a three-dimensional volume into a theoretical floor length only after you state how wide and how high the cargo is assumed to occupy the trailer. Lower assumed height produces more LDM for the same CBM.
Change one input at a time when testing alternatives, and use the worked example below as a quick sanity check for units and scale.
How it works
The calculation follows the formula shown in the result card: LDM = CBM ÷ (W × H).
When to use it
Use it when an order gives volume in CBM but quotation or capacity planning needs an approximate LDM value and you have a defensible assumption for loaded height.
What to check before dispatch
There is no universal CBM-to-LDM conversion. The result changes directly with the assumed loaded height and usable width, and real LDM is often driven by footprint, stackability and loading restrictions rather than volume alone.
Worked example
45 ÷ (2.45 × 2.20) → 8.35 LDM.
Common mistake
Do not use a fixed CBM-to-LDM ratio without stating the assumed cargo height. The same 45 CBM can produce very different LDM estimates at different loaded heights.
FAQ — CBM to LDM Calculator
Is there a fixed conversion from CBM to LDM?
No. A volume can only be translated into loading length after assuming how wide and how high that volume is actually loaded. This calculator makes both assumptions explicit as inputs.
How is the result calculated?
The current inputs are inserted directly into the displayed formula and the result updates immediately. No extra route, payload or loading assumptions are added unless they are explicit inputs.
Can I use this result for a real shipment?
Use it as a planning input, not as final dispatch approval. Verify the actual cargo, vehicle, loading method and applicable legal limits before the truck leaves.
LogicCalc
Continue in LogicCalc to combine this result with route, cargo, tolls, time and transport costs.
Planning aid only. Vehicle specifications, contracts and legal requirements can vary; verify the actual shipment before dispatch.