The latest articles on Forem by soap (@soap). https://forem.com/soap https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3834420%2F19305c21-9f66-471f-82b0-fa5946cdfb26.png https://forem.com/soap en soap Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:40:35 +0000 https://forem.com/soap/how-loading-metres-ldm-actually-work-in-european-groupage-freight-with-pricing-examples-4gid https://forem.com/soap/how-loading-metres-ldm-actually-work-in-european-groupage-freight-with-pricing-examples-4gid <p>If you've ever shipped pallets across Europe, you've been quoted in loading metres. But most explanations online skip the part that actually matters — how LDM affects your freight cost.</p> <h2> The formula </h2> <p>LDM = (Length × Width × Quantity) ÷ 2.4</p> <p>Where 2.4m is the standard European trailer width (EN 283). One loading metre = a 1m strip of trailer floor, full width.</p> <p>A single Euro pallet (1200 × 800mm): 0.4 LDM.</p> <h2> Why this matters for pricing </h2> <p>European groupage carriers quote per-LDM. A typical UK→Germany lane might be £35-45 per LDM. So 8 Euro pallets = 3.2 LDM = roughly £112-144 before surcharges.</p> <p>But here's what most calculators don't tell you: <strong>stackability halves your cost.</strong> If those 8 pallets are stackable (factor 2), your LDM drops to 1.6 = £56-72. However, your weight-per-LDM jumps to 2,000 kg/LDM, which may trigger a weight surcharge.</p> <p>Both space AND weight must be considered together.</p> <h2> The free tool </h2> <p>I built a free LDM calculator at <a href="https://www.freightutils.com/ldm" rel="noopener noreferrer">freightutils.com/ldm</a> that handles all of this — Euro/UK/US pallets, stackability, weight checks, and 6 vehicle types including US 53ft trailers.</p> <p>It's also available as a free REST API:<br> </p> <div class="highlight js-code-highlight"> <pre class="highlight shell"><code>curl <span class="s2">"https://www.freightutils.com/api/ldm?pallet=euro&amp;qty=8&amp;stackable=true&amp;weight=400"</span> </code></pre> </div> <p>No auth, no signup. JSON response with LDM, utilisation %, pallet spaces, and weight warnings.</p> <p>Full API docs: <a href="https://www.freightutils.com/api-docs" rel="noopener noreferrer">freightutils.com/api-docs</a></p> <p><em>Built by a freight transport planner working night shifts at Heathrow. If you're building freight software and need reliable calculations, the entire API is free and open.</em></p> freight logistics api opensource soap Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:04:26 +0000 https://forem.com/soap/built-a-free-rest-api-for-adr-dangerous-goods-data-2939-entries-no-auth-json-responses-5g07 https://forem.com/soap/built-a-free-rest-api-for-adr-dangerous-goods-data-2939-entries-no-auth-json-responses-5g07 <p>I built FreightUtils — a set of free freight calculation <br> tools where every tool has a public REST API. No API key <br> needed, CORS enabled, JSON responses.</p> <p>The main dataset is ADR 2025 (European dangerous goods <br> regulations) with 2,939 entries including all variant rows, <br> rebuilt from official UNECE source data.</p> <p>Endpoints:</p> <ul> <li>GET /api/adr?un=1203 — dangerous goods lookup by UN number</li> <li>GET /api/adr?q=petrol — search by name</li> <li>GET /api/ldm — loading metres calculator</li> <li>GET /api/cbm — cubic metres calculator</li> <li>GET /api/chargeable-weight — air freight weight comparison</li> <li>GET /api/pallet — pallet fitting calculator</li> </ul> <p>Full docs: <a href="https://www.freightutils.com/api-docs" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.freightutils.com/api-docs</a></p> <p>Built with Next.js on Vercel. Interested in feedback on the <br> API design — especially from anyone who works with logistics <br> or freight software.</p> <p><a href="https://www.freightutils.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.freightutils.com</a></p> api nextjs showdev sideprojects