Truck axle load calculator — check legal weight distribution
Enter your truck configuration, unladen weight, and cargo positions to estimate the load on each axle and confirm you're within EU or US road weight limits before the truck leaves the depot.
Truck configuration
Truck unladen weight (kg)
Front axle position (m)
Legal standard
Upload a CSV or Excel file with columns: name, weight (kg), position (m from front of cargo area).
Cargo (position = metres from front of cargo area)
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Most axle load calculators are standalone tools disconnected from your actual cargo plan, or gated behind enterprise sales calls. Teuvia's axle calculator is free, instant, and built directly into your container and truck load plan — no separate tool, no sales call, no signup.
Why axle load distribution matters
Axle load compliance is a legal requirement for road transport. Overloading any single axle results in fines and dangerous handling. Even when the total gross weight is legal, poor weight distribution can push one axle over its limit. This calculator estimates the load on each axle so you can rebalance the cargo before dispatch.
Legal axle limits reference
EU (EC 96/53)
- Single axle: 10,000 kg
- Drive axle (twin tyres): 11,500 kg
- Tandem axle group: 18,000 kg
- Tridem axle group: 24,000 kg
- Max GVW 5-axle semi: 40,000 kg (44,000 kg with intermodal)
US Federal (FHWA)
- Single axle: 20,000 lbs (9,072 kg)
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs (15,422 kg)
- Max GVW: 80,000 lbs (bridge formula, varies by spacing)
What happens if you exceed axle weight limits
Exceeding an axle weight limit is an offence in both the EU and the US, and enforcement is strict. In the United States, overweight fines vary by state but can reach a maximum of around $16,000 for a single serious violation, and an overloaded vehicle can be held at the weighbridge until the excess load is removed. Beyond the fine, axle overloading accelerates tyre, brake and road wear, lengthens braking distance, and reduces steering control — and operators are frequently penalised even when the total gross weight is legal, because one individual axle exceeds its limit.
EU vs US axle weight limits
| Limit type | EU (EC 96/53) | US (FHWA) |
|---|---|---|
| Single axle | 10,000 kg | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) |
| Drive / tandem axle | 11,500 kg | 15,422 kg (34,000 lbs) |
| Max GVW (5-axle semi) | 40,000 kg | 36,287 kg (80,000 lbs, bridge formula varies) |
The biggest practical difference: the EU caps a single non-driving axle higher (10,000 kg vs 9,072 kg) but the US allows a heavier tandem group (15,422 kg vs 11,500 kg). Always check the rules for the specific country and road you are operating on.
How to use this calculator
- Select your truck or trailer configuration and enter its unladen (empty) axle weights.
- Add each cargo item with its weight and position along the load bed.
- Read the estimated load on each axle and compare it against the EU or US limit shown.
- If an axle is over its limit, move heavy items rearward or forward to rebalance — the result updates instantly.
This calculator uses a simplified static distribution model and is an estimate, not a legal certificate. Always confirm against a certified weighbridge before dispatch.
Frequently asked questions
What is the legal axle weight limit in the EU?
Under EU Directive EC 96/53, a single non-driving axle is limited to 10,000 kg, a driven axle with twin tyres to 11,500 kg, a tandem axle group to 18,000 kg, and a tridem group to 24,000 kg. The maximum gross weight for a 5-axle articulated combination is 40,000 kg (44,000 kg in intermodal transport).
What is the legal axle weight limit in the US?
US Federal limits (FHWA) are 20,000 lbs (9,072 kg) on a single axle and 34,000 lbs (15,422 kg) on a tandem axle. Maximum gross vehicle weight is 80,000 lbs, but the Federal Bridge Formula can reduce allowable weight depending on axle spacing.
How do I calculate axle load distribution?
Axle load is calculated using the lever (moment) rule: each cargo item’s weight is distributed between the axles in proportion to its distance from them, then added to the truck’s unladen axle weights. Teuvia’s calculator above does this for you — enter the truck configuration, unladen weight and cargo positions to see the load on each axle.
What happens if an axle is overloaded?
Overloading an axle risks fines, points, and being ordered off the road at a weighbridge, and it increases tyre, brake and road wear while reducing steering and braking control. Many operators are fined even when the total gross weight is legal, because one axle exceeds its individual limit.
Why is my drive axle overloaded when the total weight is legal?
Total gross weight and per-axle weight are different limits. Loading too much weight toward the front of the trailer shifts load onto the drive axle, which can push it over its limit even when the gross weight is within bounds. Move heavy items rearward to rebalance — the calculator shows the effect instantly.
Is there a free truck axle load calculator?
Yes — the calculator on this page is free and needs no signup. Enter your truck and cargo to get an axle-by-axle weight estimate against EU and US limits. For a full 3D load plan that keeps axle weights legal as you place cargo, Teuvia offers a free trial.
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