A trailer fills up by weight or space (cube) — whichever maxes out first. Utilization is the higher of the two percentages; that constraint decides whether to add freight.
The example
34k/44k lb, 2,800/3,400 cu ft.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | Weight 77% | Cube 82% |
| 3 | Utilization | → 82% (cube) |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Compute weight utilization = weight used ÷ capacity.
- Compute cube utilization = volume used ÷ trailer cube.
- The binding constraint is the MAX of the two — what fills first.
- If you “weigh out” (weight first) or “cube out” (space first) decides what freight to add.
Knowing whether you weigh out or cube out tells you what to add. If a trailer hits 100% weight at 60% cube, you’ve weighed out — only light, bulky freight can fill the rest. If it cubes out first, you have weight to spare for dense freight. Tracking both percentages and taking the MAX shows the real fill and which kind of freight completes the load profitably.
Try it: interactive demo
Weight used/cap and cube used/cap.
Variations
Weight utilization
Of GVW:
Cube utilization
Of trailer volume:
Which constraint
Weigh or cube out:
Pitfalls & errors
MAX, not average. The fuller dimension is the real utilization.
Legal weight. Use the legal payload capacity, not just trailer rating.
Zero capacity. Bad capacity gives #DIV/0!.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate truck capacity utilization in Excel?
What does 'weigh out' vs 'cube out' mean?
Why use MAX, not the average?
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