Linear Feet Calculator
Estimate the trailer deck space your LTL or partial truckload shipment needs — in linear feet.
Estimate Your Trailer Space Requirements
Enter your pallet dimensions or total cubic feet to calculate linear footage. The tool accounts for stacking, rotation options, and rounds up to the nearest 4 feet—the standard increment for freight quotes.
Trailer Dimensions
The default values represent a standard 53' Dry Van. Adjust as necessary.
Enter your freight information and click Convert to see results
Frequently Asked Questions
What is linear feet in freight shipping?
Linear feet measures the length of floor space your shipment occupies in a trailer, regardless of height. Carriers use linear feet to quote partial truckload shipments because it determines how much deck space is reserved for your freight.
How do I calculate linear feet?
Enter the quantity and dimensions of your pallets or units, or alternatively, enter the total cubic feet. The calculator determines how units fit side-by-side across the trailer width and stacked vertically, then calculates the total length needed.
Why does the calculator round to 4 feet?
Most freight carriers quote partial truckload shipments in 4-foot increments. Rounding up to the nearest 4 feet gives you a practical estimate that aligns with how carriers price deck space.
What does "stackable" mean?
Stackable freight can be safely placed on top of itself. When enabled, the calculator determines the maximum number of layers that fit within the trailer height, reducing the linear feet required.
What is "floor loaded only"?
Floor loaded means your freight cannot have other shipments stacked on top of it. This is common for LTL and partial truckload shipments where you're sharing trailer space. Linear feet is calculated based on floor space alone.
When should I allow rotation?
Enable rotation if your units can be turned 90° to optimize space. Leave it disabled for items that must maintain a specific orientation, such as refrigerators, certain machinery, or items with "This Side Up" requirements.
Why is there an 80% utilization factor for cubic feet?
Real-world freight rarely fills a trailer perfectly due to gaps between items, irregular shapes, and loading constraints. The 80% factor provides a more realistic estimate than assuming 100% space utilization.
What are the standard trailer dimensions?
A standard 53' dry van trailer is 53 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and approximately 9 feet tall (interior). These are the default values, but you can adjust them for different trailer types like 48' trailers or flatbeds.
Need to calculate multiple items?
Use our Truckload Calculator to add multiple line items and find out how many trucks you need.
How the Linear Feet Calculator works
- Enter your freight— the quantity and dimensions of each pallet or unit, or just the total cubic feet if that's all you have.
- Set the handling rules — whether units are stackable, floor-loaded only, and whether they can be rotated 90°.
- Adjust the trailerif needed; it defaults to a 53' dry van (53' long, 8.5' wide, ~9' tall).
- Get your linear feet — the tool fits units across the trailer width, stacks them within the height, totals the floor length, and rounds up to the nearest 4 feet (how carriers quote partial space).
Why linear feet decides your partial-truckload price
Carriers price partial and volume LTL shipments by the linear feet of deck space your freight occupies — not by weight or cube alone. Two pallets that can't be stacked can tie up as much trailer length as a much larger stackable load, which is why a few oversized or non-stackable items can cost more than you'd expect. Estimating linear feet up front tells you whether your shipment fits LTL, needs partial-truckload pricing, or is close to a full load.
Linear feet FAQs
What is linear feet in freight shipping?
Linear feet measures the length of floor space your shipment occupies in a trailer, regardless of height. Carriers use linear feet to quote partial truckload shipments because it determines how much deck space is reserved for your freight.
How do I calculate linear feet?
Enter the quantity and dimensions of your pallets or units, or alternatively, enter the total cubic feet. The calculator determines how units fit side-by-side across the trailer width and stacked vertically, then calculates the total length needed.
Why does the calculator round to 4 feet?
Most freight carriers quote partial truckload shipments in 4-foot increments. Rounding up to the nearest 4 feet gives you a practical estimate that aligns with how carriers price deck space.
What does stackable mean in freight shipping?
Stackable freight can be safely placed on top of itself. When enabled, the calculator determines the maximum number of layers that fit within the trailer height, reducing the linear feet required.
What is floor loaded only?
Floor loaded means your freight cannot have other shipments stacked on top of it. This is common for LTL and partial truckload shipments where you're sharing trailer space. Linear feet is calculated based on floor space alone.
When should I allow rotation for freight?
Enable rotation if your units can be turned 90° to optimize space. Leave it disabled for items that must maintain a specific orientation, such as refrigerators, certain machinery, or items with 'This Side Up' requirements.
Why is there an 80% utilization factor for cubic feet?
Real-world freight rarely fills a trailer perfectly due to gaps between items, irregular shapes, and loading constraints. The 80% factor provides a more realistic estimate than assuming 100% space utilization.
What are the standard trailer dimensions?
A standard 53' dry van trailer is 53 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and approximately 9 feet tall (interior). These are the default values, but you can adjust them for different trailer types like 48' trailers or flatbeds.
Related freight tools
- Truckload Calculator — see how many trucks a larger shipment needs.
- CBM Calculator — calculate cubic meters and volumetric weight.
- Freight Class Calculator — determine your density-based NMFC class.
- Get a freight quote — turn your estimate into a booked shipment.