TradeCalculator.co.uk
Van Payload Calculator — How Much Can I Carry?
Calculate how much material your van can carry and how many trips you need. Covers common UK van types and building materials.
Override the default payload if you know your exact figure
How many items do you need to transport?
Reduce effective payload by this % for tools, passengers, racking (default 0%)
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How We Calculate This
This calculator works out the total weight of your materials and compares it to your van's payload capacity. If the total exceeds the payload, it calculates how many trips you will need and the maximum number of items per trip.
The formula
Total weight = Weight per unit × Quantity
Items per trip = FLOOR(Payload ÷ Weight per unit)
Trips needed = CEIL(Quantity ÷ Items per trip)
Typical UK van payloads
- Small van (Berlingo/Caddy): 625-800kg
- Medium van (Transit Custom/Vivaro): 1,000-1,200kg
- Large van (Transit/Sprinter LWB): 1,200-1,500kg
- Luton van: 1,500-1,800kg
- Tipper: 1,000-1,200kg
Common material weights
- Cement / plaster / sand bag: 25kg
- Plasterboard 12.5mm standard (2400×1200): ~23kg per sheet (fire-rated ~29kg)
- Plasterboard 9.5mm standard (2400×1200): ~17kg per sheet
- Standard brick: ~2.5kg each
- Concrete block 100mm (440×215): aircrete ~8kg, medium-dense ~14kg, dense solid ~19kg
- Tile adhesive bag: 20kg
- CLS timber 2.4m: 3×2 ~2.9kg, 4×2 ~4kg
Weights are representative figures from manufacturer data. Concrete blocks in particular vary by type — a dense 100mm block weighs more than twice an aircrete one — so if you are unsure, weigh a single unit and use the Custom option rather than under-estimating the load.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ford Transit Custom has a payload capacity of approximately 1,000-1,200kg depending on the model, engine, and spec. The base model typically offers around 1,100kg. Remember that payload is the maximum weight you can carry including passengers, tools, and racking — not just materials. Check your V5C document for the exact figure for your specific vehicle.
Your van's payload is the difference between its Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and its kerb weight. The GVW is shown on the VIN plate (usually on the door frame) and the V5C registration document. Kerb weight is the weight of the van empty with a full tank of fuel. Subtract kerb weight from GVW to get your maximum payload.
Overloading a van is illegal in the UK and can result in a fixed penalty of up to £300, or prosecution for more serious overloads. It also invalidates your insurance, damages your vehicle (suspension, tyres, brakes), and significantly increases stopping distances. Trading Standards and DVSA regularly conduct roadside checks on commercial vehicles.
A standard 12.5mm plasterboard sheet (2400×1200mm) weighs approximately 23kg (Knauf/British Gypsum standard wallboard ≈ 7.7–8.3 kg/m² × 2.88 m²). With a medium van payload of around 1,100kg, you could theoretically carry about 47 sheets by weight. Fire-rated board is heavier (≈29kg per sheet), so you would manage fewer. In practice the limit is usually physical — a Transit Custom can typically carry about 20-25 sheets laid flat — so check the van's internal dimensions as well as the weight.
Yes. Your payload figure must cover everything: the driver (and any passengers), tools, racking, and the materials you are carrying. A typical tradesperson with a full tool kit, racking, and a passenger might already be using 200-300kg of their payload before loading any materials. Use the custom payload field to enter a reduced figure that accounts for this.
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Last updated: February 2026
Verified against UK standards · estimates only, confirm with your supplier.