Delivery & courier / Van load
Plan a parcel van load
Check both parcel space and payload before loading.
Delivery plan
Van load plan
Enter parcels.
How it works
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Use your own rates, times and measurements.
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What it covers: Compare packed parcels with usable space and payload.
Free to use. No sign-in needed.
How to work out if parcels will fit in a van
A van can run out of space before it runs out of payload, or the other way round. This planner compares the total volume and weight of your parcels with the van's usable space and payload, and shows how many trips the load needs. You can also add pallet or cage spaces if you load that way.
- Enter the parcels to load.
- Enter the average parcel volume in litres and the average parcel weight in kilograms. Use packed parcel averages from real loads.
- Enter the usable van space in litres. This is the space you can actually fill once racking and access room are allowed for.
- Enter the usable payload in kilograms, meaning the vehicle's remaining allowance after occupants and equipment.
- If you load on pallets or cages, enter the number of pallets or cages and the pallet spaces in the van. Leave both blank for loose parcels.
- Read the van load plan. It shows the trips needed, the total parcel volume and weight, and the trips by space and by payload, plus the trips by pallet spaces if you entered them. The highest of these sets the number of trips.
Tips and common mistakes
- Parcels never pack perfectly. Leave room for gaps, odd shapes and access to the next drops.
- A few heavy parcels can push up the true average weight. If a load has unusual items, plan them separately.
- Check the vehicle's ratings and the rules where you work on loading and securing goods.
- Load in delivery order where you can, so the first drops are easiest to reach.
Questions
How many parcels fit in a van?
Divide the usable van space by the average parcel volume, and the usable payload by the average parcel weight. The smaller of the two answers is roughly how many parcels fit. As an illustration, 6,000 litres of usable space and 25 litre parcels gives 240 parcels by space. The planner works the other way round: it divides your whole load by the van's space and payload, rounds each up and shows the trips needed.
How do I convert van space to litres?
One cubic metre is 1,000 litres. Multiply the usable length, width and height in metres to get cubic metres, then multiply by 1,000.
What is usable payload?
Usable payload is the weight the van can still carry once the driver, any passengers and fitted equipment are counted. Start from the vehicle's ratings and confirm before loading.
How do I estimate average parcel volume?
Measure a sample of typical parcels in centimetres, multiply length, width and height, and divide by 1,000 to get litres. Average the results, and redo it if your parcel mix changes.
Should I plan a van load by space or by weight?
Check both. Light, bulky parcels fill the space first, while small, heavy ones reach the payload first. The tighter limit decides how much you can load.
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