Six standard pallets
6 freight positions, each 4 ft long by 4 ft wide, in a 53 ft dry van.
Length 4 ft, Width 4 ft, Qty 6, Trailer 8.5 ft(4 x 4 x 6) / 8.5 = 11.29 LFLF Calculator (Linear Feet)
Convert cargo dimensions into linear feet for US trailer space planning.
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How it works
Linear feet, often shortened to LF, are widely used in the United States to describe how much trailer floor length freight occupies. One linear foot means one foot of trailer length across the full trailer width.
US carriers use linear feet when pricing partial truckload, volume LTL, flatbed, and specialized shipments because deck space often matters just as much as weight.
This calculator estimates occupied trailer length using a standard US trailer width of 8.5 feet unless you choose a different width option.
Formula
LF = (Length x Width x Quantity) / Trailer width
Length - Length of one item, in feetWidth - Width of one item, in feetQuantity - Number of identical itemsTrailer width - Internal or usable trailer width in feet
- A standard dry van trailer in the US is usually 53 feet long.
- Non-stackable or blocked freight is commonly charged on full floor footprint.
Examples
Three wide crates
3 crates measuring 6 ft by 4.5 ft in a standard trailer.
Length 6 ft, Width 4.5 ft, Qty 3, Trailer 8.5 ft(6 x 4.5 x 3) / 8.5 = 9.53 LFFrequently asked questions
What does LF mean in truck freight?
LF means linear feet. It describes how many feet of trailer floor length a shipment uses across the full trailer width.
How many linear feet are in a 53 foot trailer?
A standard US dry van trailer offers about 53 linear feet of floor length, subject to usable space and freight configuration.
When do carriers quote by linear feet?
Carriers often use linear feet for partial truckload, volume LTL, flatbed, and bulky freight where deck space is a main cost driver.