ULD Dimensions.

Unit load devices are the containers and pallets air cargo flies in. Size, volume and weights of 25 common types. Drawings of one deck share one scale.

Lower deck containers

Containers for the belly of passenger and freighter aircraft. Front profile; all lower deck drawings share one scale.

LD3-45

AKH

Reduced-height LD3 for the A320 family, same base as the AKE, angled on both sides.

Base60.4 × 61.5 in (1,534 × 1,562 mm)

Overall width96 in (2,438 mm)

Height45 in (1,143 mm)

Volume3.7 m³ (131 ft³)

FitsAirbus A319, A320, A321 lower hold

Source: Wikipedia, Unit load device (citing Nordisk Aviation).

LD2

DPE

Half-width lower hold container with one angled side. The 767 size.

Base60.4 × 47 in (1,534 × 1,194 mm)

Overall width61.5 in (1,562 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume3.5 m³ (124 ft³)

Max gross weight1,225 kg (2,700 lb)

Tare weight92 kg (203 lb)

Door opening112 × 152 cm

Fits747, 767, 777, 787 lower hold

Also codedAPA, DPA; forkable DPN

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD3

AKE

The most common ULD: half-width lower hold container with one angled side.

Base60.4 × 61.5 in (1,534 × 1,562 mm)

Overall width79 in (2,007 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume4.5 m³ (159 ft³)

Max gross weight1,588 kg (3,500 lb)

Tare weight82 kg (181 lb)

Door opening147 × 155 cm

Fits747, 767, 777, 787, DC-10, MD-11 lower hold

Also codedAVA, AVB, AVC, AVK, DVA, DVE, DVP, XKS, XKG; forkable AKN, AVN, DKN, DVN, XKN

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD3 Reefer

RKN

Insulated LD3 with a solid door. Most are forkable.

Base60.4 × 61.5 in (1,534 × 1,562 mm)

Overall width79 in (2,007 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume4.5 m³ (159 ft³) outside

Max gross weight1,588 kg (3,500 lb)

Tare weight210 kg (463 lb)

Door opening137 × 140 cm

Fits747, 767, 777, 787, DC-10, MD-11 lower hold

Also codedRVN

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD1

AKC

Same base as the LD3 with a wider overhang, so one LD1 takes the place of one LD3.

Base60.4 × 61.5 in (1,534 × 1,562 mm)

Overall width92 in (2,337 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume5.0 m³ (175 ft³)

Max gross weight1,588 kg (3,501 lb)

Tare weight70 to 170 kg (155 to 375 lb)

Door opening147 × 155 cm

Fits747, 767, 777, 787, MD-11 lower hold

Also codedAVC, AVD, AVK, AVJ; forkable AVY

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD4

ALP / AQP

Full-width rectangular lower hold container, canvas door.

Base60.4 × 96 in (1,534 × 2,438 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume5.5 m³ (195 ft³)

Max gross weight2,449 kg (5,399 lb)

Tare weight120 kg (264 lb)

Door opening234 × 155 cm

Fits767, 777, 787 lower hold

Also codedALD, AWD, AWZ, DLP; forkable ALB, ALC, AWB, AWC

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD6

ALF

Full-width lower hold container with angled ends: two LD3 in one.

Base60.4 × 125 in (1,534 × 3,175 mm)

Overall width160 in (4,064 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume8.9 m³ (316 ft³)

Max gross weight3,175 kg (7,000 lb)

Tare weight230 kg (507 lb)

Door opening305 × 152 cm

Fits747, 777, 787, DC-10, MD-11 lower hold

Also codedAWA, AWF; forkable AWC

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD8

DQF

Full-width 767 container angled at both ends: two LD2 in one.

Base60.4 × 96 in (1,534 × 2,438 mm)

Overall width125 in (3,175 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume6.9 m³ (245 ft³)

Max gross weight2,450 kg (5,401 lb)

Tare weight127 kg (280 lb)

Door opening234 × 157 cm

Fits767, 787 lower hold

Also codedALE, ALN, DLE, DLF, DQP, MQP

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD11

ALP

Full-width rectangular container. The centre post swings clear for loading.

Base60.4 × 125 in (1,534 × 3,175 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume7.2 m³ (256 ft³)

Max gross weight3,176 kg (7,002 lb)

Tare weight185 kg (408 lb)

Door opening305 × 155 cm

Fits747, 777, 787, DC-10, MD-11 lower hold

Also codedALD, AW2, AWB, AWD, AWZ, DLP, DWB, MWB; reefer RWB, RWD, RWZ

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD9

AAP

General-purpose enclosed container on a P1P pallet base.

Base88 × 125 in (2,235 × 3,175 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume10.8 m³ (381 ft³)

Max gross weight4,624 kg lower hold; 6,000 kg main deck

Tare weight215 kg canvas door; 270 kg solid door

Door opening300 × 147 cm

Fits747, 767, 777, 787, DC-10, MD-11 lower hold

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD9 Reefer

RAP

Insulated LD9 with a solid door.

Base88 × 125 in (2,235 × 3,175 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume9.6 m³ (339 ft³) inside

Max gross weight4,626 kg lower hold; 6,000 kg main deck

Tare weight400 kg (882 lb)

Door opening216 × 147 cm

Fits747, 767, 777, 787, DC-10, MD-11 lower hold

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD26

AAF

Full-width container on a P1P base, angled at both ends.

Base88 × 125 in (2,235 × 3,175 mm)

Overall width160 in (4,064 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume13.3 m³ (470 ft³)

Max gross weight6,033 kg (13,300 lb)

Tare weight250 kg (551 lb)

Door opening305 × 152 cm

Fits747, 777, 787, DC-10, MD-11 lower hold

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD29

AAU

The widest P1P-based lower hold container, for the 747 only. Reefer version: RAU.

Base88 × 125 in (2,235 × 3,175 mm)

Overall width186 in (4,724 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume14.4 m³ (510 ft³)

Max gross weight6,033 kg (13,300 lb)

Tare weight265 kg (584 lb)

Door opening300 × 152 cm

Fits747 lower hold

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD39

AMU

Contoured container on a P6P base: the biggest lower-deck container.

Base96 × 125 in (2,438 × 3,175 mm)

Overall width186 in (4,724 mm)

Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume15.9 m³ (560 ft³)

Max gross weight5,035 kg (11,100 lb)

Tare weight290 kg (639 lb)

Door opening305 × 152 cm

Fits747 lower hold

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

Pallets

Flat aluminium pallets with a net. View along the long edge with the usual load envelope; all pallet drawings share one scale.

767 half pallet

PNA

Half pallet squared off for the 767 lower hold, with net.

Base61.5 × 96 in (1,562 × 2,438 mm)

Load height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume5.5 m³ (194 ft³)

Max gross weight2,449 kg (5,399 lb)

Tare weight83 kg (183 lb)

Fits767, 787 lower hold

Also codedPQP, FQF, PPC

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

Half pallet

PLA

Half pallet with net. The load is built to the hold or main deck contour.

Base60.4 × 125 in (1,534 × 3,175 mm)

Load height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume7.1 m³ (250 ft³)

Max gross weight3,175 kg (6,999 lb)

Tare weight91 kg (200 lb)

Fits747, 777, 787 lower hold; 707F, 727F, 737F main deck

Also codedPLB, FLA, P9A, P9B, P9P, P9R, P9S

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD7 88 × 125 in pallet

P1P / PAG

Universal flat pallet with net. In daily use better known by the PAG / PAJ prefixes.

Base88 × 125 in (2,235 × 3,175 mm)

Load height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume10.7 m³ (379 ft³) at 64 in

Max gross weight4,626 kg (10,198 lb)

Tare weight105 kg (231 lb)

FitsAll widebody lower holds and main decks; 707F, 727F, 737F, 757F, DC-8F, DC-9F main deck

Also codedPAA, PAG, PAJ, PAP, PAX, P1A, P1C, P1D, P1G

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

LD7 winged pallet

PAD

P1P base with folding wings for overhang.

Base88 × 125 in (2,235 × 3,175 mm)

Load height64 in (1,626 mm)

Volume14.0 m³ (495 ft³)

Max gross weight5,000 kg (11,023 lb)

Tare weight152 kg (335 lb)

Fits747, 777, 787, DC-10, MD-11 lower hold

Also codedPAX, P1X; fixed wings: XAW

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

96 × 125 in pallet

P6P / PMC

Universal 10-ft flat pallet with net; PMC is the common prefix for this footprint.

Base96 × 125 in (2,438 × 3,175 mm)

Load height118 in (2,997 mm)

Volume11.5 m³ at 64 in; 17.0 m³ at 96 in; 21.2 m³ at 118 in

Tare weight120 kg (265 lb)

Fits747, 767, 777, 787, DC-10, MD-11 lower holds and main decks

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

16-ft main deck pallet

PRA

Main-deck pallet with net. With twin car racks it is the M-6 car carrier (VRA).

Base196 × 96 in (4,978 × 2,438 mm)

Load height96 in (2,438 mm)

Volume27.6 m³ (974 ft³)

Max gross weight11,300 kg (24,911 lb)

Tare weight410 kg (904 lb)

Fits747F, 747 Combi, 777F main deck

Also codedPMA, P4A, P4M, PZA

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

20-ft main deck pallet

PGA

M-6 20-ft flat pallet with net for long and heavy pieces.

Base238.5 × 96 in (6,058 × 2,438 mm)

Load height96 in (2,438 mm)

Volume33.7 m³ at 96 in; 39.6 m³ at 118 in

Max gross weight11,340 kg (25,000 lb)

Tare weight500 kg (1,102 lb)

Fits747F, 747 Combi, 777F main deck

Also codedPGE, PGF, PSA, PSG, P7A, P7E, P7F, P7G

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

Main deck containers

Containers for the main deck of freighters and combis. Front profile, to scale.

Demi

AYY

Half-width main deck container with one top contour. AYX adds a fire-extinguisher fitting for dangerous goods.

Base88 × 62 in (2,235 × 1,575 mm)

Overall width62 in (1,575 mm)

Height79 in (2,007 mm)

Volume5.8 m³ (206 ft³)

Max gross weight3,016 kg (6,649 lb)

Tare weight80 kg (176 lb)

Fits727F, 737F, 757F, 747F, 767F, 777F, DC-10F, MD-11F main deck

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

M-1

AMA

Rectangular main deck container on a P6P base, canvas door.

Base96 × 125 in (2,438 × 3,175 mm)

Height96 in (2,438 mm)

Volume17.6 m³ (623 ft³)

Max gross weight6,804 kg (15,000 lb)

Tare weight350 kg (772 lb)

Fits747F, 747 Combi; 777F centre loading only

Also codedAMF, AMG, AMK, AMP, AQA, AQD, AQ6

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

M-1H

AMD

Tall main deck container with the upper contour of the freighter fuselage.

Base96 × 125 in (2,438 × 3,175 mm)

Height118 in (2,997 mm)

Volume21.2 m³ (750 ft³)

Max gross weight6,800 kg (see note)

Tare weight370 kg (816 lb)

Fits747F, 747 Combi; 777F centre loading only

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

M-2 20-ft box

AGA

20-ft main deck box container with a solid door.

Base238.5 × 96 in (6,058 × 2,438 mm)

Overall width96 in (2,438 mm)

Height96 in (2,438 mm)

Volume33.7 m³ (1,190 ft³)

Max gross weight11,340 kg (25,000 lb)

Tare weight1,000 kg (2,204 lb)

Fits747F, 747 Combi; 777F centre loading only

Also codedASE

Source: Boeing, Pallets and containers (2012).

All ULDs in one table

Base is depth × width of the floor. Heights and widths in inches, as the aircraft makers publish them.

Name	IATA code	Base, in	Overall width, in	Height, in	Volume	Max gross
LD3-45	AKH	60.4 × 61.5	96	45	3.7 m³	n/a
LD2	DPE	60.4 × 47	61.5	64	3.5 m³	1,225 kg
LD3	AKE	60.4 × 61.5	79	64	4.5 m³	1,588 kg
LD3 Reefer	RKN	60.4 × 61.5	79	64	4.5 m³ outside	1,588 kg
LD1	AKC	60.4 × 61.5	92	64	5.0 m³	1,588 kg
LD4	ALP / AQP	60.4 × 96	96	64	5.5 m³	2,449 kg
LD6	ALF	60.4 × 125	160	64	8.9 m³	3,175 kg
LD8	DQF	60.4 × 96	125	64	6.9 m³	2,450 kg
LD11	ALP	60.4 × 125	125	64	7.2 m³	3,176 kg
LD9	AAP	88 × 125	125	64	10.8 m³	4,624 kg lower hold
LD9 Reefer	RAP	88 × 125	125	64	9.6 m³ inside	4,626 kg lower hold
LD26	AAF	88 × 125	160	64	13.3 m³	6,033 kg
LD29	AAU	88 × 125	186	64	14.4 m³	6,033 kg
LD39	AMU	96 × 125	186	64	15.9 m³	5,035 kg
767 half pallet	PNA	61.5 × 96	96	64	5.5 m³	2,449 kg
Half pallet	PLA	60.4 × 125	125	64	7.1 m³	3,175 kg
LD7 88 × 125 in pallet	P1P / PAG	88 × 125	125	64	10.7 m³ at 64 in	4,626 kg
LD7 winged pallet	PAD	88 × 125	160	64	14.0 m³	5,000 kg
96 × 125 in pallet	P6P / PMC	96 × 125	125	118	11.5 m³ at 64 in	n/a
16-ft main deck pallet	PRA	196 × 96	96	96	27.6 m³	11,300 kg
20-ft main deck pallet	PGA	238.5 × 96	96	96	33.7 m³ at 96 in	11,340 kg
Demi	AYY	88 × 62	62	79	5.8 m³	3,016 kg
M-1	AMA	96 × 125	125	96	17.6 m³	6,804 kg
M-1H	AMD	96 × 125	125	118	21.2 m³	6,800 kg (see note)
M-2 20-ft box	AGA	238.5 × 96	96	96	33.7 m³	11,340 kg

Reading a ULD code

A ULD number such as AKE 12345 DL has a three-letter type code, a 4 or 5 digit serial and a two-character owner code (for airlines usually their IATA designator). The first letter says what the unit is, the second gives the base size, the third the contour or restraint.

1st letter: type

ACertified aircraft container

BCertified winged aircraft pallet

DNon-certified aircraft container

FNon-certified aircraft pallet

GNon-certified aircraft pallet net

HCertified horse stalls

JThermal non-structural igloo

KCertified cattle stalls

LCertified multi-contour aircraft container

MThermal non-certified aircraft container

NCertified aircraft pallet net

PCertified aircraft pallet

QCertified hardened aircraft container

RThermal certified aircraft container

SCertified multi-modal air/surface container

UNon-structural container (igloo)

VAutomobile transport equipment

WCertified ULD for aircraft engine transport

X, Y, ZReserved for airline internal use

2nd letter: base size

A88 × 125 in (2,235 × 3,175 mm)

B88 × 108 in (2,235 × 2,743 mm)

G96 × 238.5 in (2,438 × 6,058 mm)

K60.4 × 61.5 in (1,534 × 1,562 mm)

L60.4 × 125 in (1,534 × 3,175 mm)

M96 × 125 in (2,438 × 3,175 mm)

N61.5 × 96 in (1,562 × 2,438 mm)

P47 × 60.4 in (1,194 × 1,534 mm)

Q60.4 × 96 in (1,534 × 2,438 mm)

R96 × 196 in (2,438 × 4,978 mm)

S61.5 × 88 in (1,562 × 2,235 mm)

Sources: Wikipedia, Unit load device (Identification), citingVRR.aero, Identifying a Unit Load Device. Obsolete letters are left out.

Where the sources disagree

Boeing’s sheet gives the maximum gross weight of the AKE, RKN and AMA in “cm” (for example “1,588 cm (3,500 lb)”). It is a typo for kg; the pound value confirms it.
Boeing lists the LD4 under the code ALP, the same code as the LD11. Wikipedia’s lower-hold table gives AQP for the LD4. We show both on the LD4 card.
For the AMD (M-1H) Boeing prints 6,800 kg next to 14,491 lb; 6,800 kg is 14,991 lb. We show the kg figure only.
Many guides quote the PMC and the P6P as different pallets. Both sit on the 96 × 125 in base (letter M in the second position of the code), so we show them on one card.

Rates for air freight in LD3 or on PMC pallets: Navo Freight Rates. Track an air waybill: Navo Tracking.