Load Factor
Percentage of available cargo or passenger capacity utilised on completed journeys
What is Load Factor?
Load factor is the percentage of maximum carrying capacity that is actually used. It shows how full vehicles, containers or services are.
Running half-empty costs almost as much as running full, so a higher load factor lowers the cost per unit moved.
How this KPI is measured
- Function
- Operations & Supply Chain
- Sub-function
- Load Management
- Industry
- Logistics & Transport
- Type
- Lagging
- Impact
- Revenue
- Unit
- %
- Measurement frequency
- Daily / Weekly
- Formula
- (Actual load carried / Maximum possible load capacity) × 100
How to calculate it
Divide the actual load carried by the maximum possible load capacity, and multiply by 100.
For example, if a truck carried 18 tonnes with a capacity of 24 tonnes, the load factor is 75%.
Measure by weight, volume or space, according to what limits the vehicle, and use the same basis each time.
Where it is used
Cutting transport cost
Fill vehicles better.
Reducing emissions
Fewer trips per load.
Planning capacity
Match supply to demand.
How to improve it
Tips and common mistakes
- Do not exceed legal weight limits.
- Consider weight and volume limits.
- Compare by route.
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