How to Measure Your Truck Bed

The truck bed of a pickup truck makes for a one-of-a-kind vehicle, allowing for unmatched versatility. Whether you seek to help your friend out during a move or store tools when you go camping on weekends, a pickup truck bed is useful for aiding with all sorts of situations.

Prior to planning your weekend campout or buying a new sectional, it’s important to measure your truck bed and understand its cargo capacity. Some truck accessories require specific sizing to be properly installed, including bed rails, truck bed covers and tool boxes. You don’t want to order an expensive tonneau cover, only to find out that it doesn’t fit your particular truck bed length.

If you’re looking to utilize your pickup truck to its maximum potential, we’ve compiled a clear and simple step-by-step guide on how to measure a truck bed.

Learn more on properly measuring your truck bed below.

Step 1: Measure Truck Bed Width

The width of a truck bed is determined by the distance between the inside of the side-wall to the other inside side-wall of the truck bed. Measuring your bed’s width is important if you want to haul wide items or purchase a crossover tool box.

Start by grabbing a measuring tape that extends beyond 10 feet. Position the tape measure so it fits in between each side-wall, then record the number of inches shown. You should always make sure that the tape measure is straight and balanced, not bent.

As an extra precaution, or if you are unsure, measure twice.

Step 2: Measure Truck Bed Length

Now, it’s time to measure your bed’s length. The length of a truck bed is determined by the distance between the inside of the bulkhead and the inside of your tailgate.

Have your tape measure on hand and make sure your tailgate is up. Then, position the tape measure so that it fits in between the inside of the bulkhead and the inside of your tailgate. Record the number of inches shown.

Once again, make sure that the tape measure is straight and not bent. Don’t count any exterior portions of the truck.

Step 3: Calculate Square Footage

To get the square footage of your bed area, multiply your width and length measurements. For example, if your truck bed is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, the area of the truck would be: 60 x 80 = 4800 inches (400 sq. ft.).

When Bed Measurements Differ

You may notice that the actual length of your truck bed differs from the advertised length for your vehicle model. This doesn’t mean you are bad at measuring! It’s common for the true bed length to vary slightly from the stated advertised length.

Review the table below for some common variances:

Vehicle Type	Bed Type	Actual Length	Advertised Length
Chevy Colorado	Short Bed	62.7 in.	5’3” (63 in.)
Chevy Colorado	Long Bed	74.0 in.	6’2” (74 in.)
Chevy Silverado	Short Bed	69.3 in.	5’9” (69 in.)
Chevy Silverado	Standard Bed	78.8 in.	6’7” (79 in.)
Chevy Silverado	Long Bed	97.8 in.	8’2” (98 in.)
Dodge Ram	Short Bed	67.4 in.	5’7” (67 in.)
Dodge Ram	Standard Bed	76.3 in.	6’4” (76 in.)
Dodge Ram	Long Bed	96.3 in.	8’0” (96 in.)
Ford F-150	Short Bed	67.1 in.	5’7” (67 in.)
Ford F-150	Standard Bed	78.9 in.	6’7” (79 in.)
Ford F-150	Long Bed	97.6 in.	8’2”(98 in.)
Ford F-250	Short Bed	81.8 in.	6’10” (82 in.)
Ford F-250	Standard Bed	98.0 in.	8’2” (98 in.)
Ford F-350	Short Bed	81.8 in.	6’10” (82 in.)
Ford F-350	Standard Bed	98.0 in.	8’2” (98 in.)
GMC Canyon	Short Bed	62.7 in.	5’3” (63 in.)
GMC Canyon	Long Bed	74.0 in.	6’2” (74 in.)
GMC Sierra	Short Bed	69.3 in.	5’9” (69 in.)
GMC Sierra	Standard Bed	78.8 in.	6’7” (79 in.)
GMC Sierra	Long Bed	97.8 in.	8’2” (98 in.)
Nissan Frontier	Short Bed	59.5 in.	5’0” (60 in.)
Nissan Frontier	Standard Bed	73.3 in.	6’1” (73 in.)
Nissan Titan	Short Bed	67.1 in.	5’7” (67 in.)
Nissan Titan	Standard Bed	78.9 in.	6’7” (79 in.)
Nissan Titan	Long Bed	84.0 in.	7’0” (84 in.)
Toyota Tacoma	Short Bed	60.3 in.	5’0” (60 in.)
Toyota Tacoma	Standard Bed	73.5 in.	6’2” (74 in.)
Toyota Tundra	Short Bed	66.7 in.	5’7” (67 in.)
Toyota Tundra	Standard Bed	78.7 in.	6’7” (79 in.)
Toyota Tundra	Long Bed	97.6 in.	8’2” (98 in.)

Additional Resources

Did you find this article helpful? Check out our other tips and info for pickup truck owners: