How To Measure Your Truck Bed
It sounds easy enough, but do you really know how to measure a truck bed the right way? Whether it's for buying a bed cover, liner, camper shell, toolbox, or for any other reason, getting the dimensions of your bed even just slightly wrong could result in wasted time and money.
To save you that hassle and help you get it right the first time, we've outlined the proper measuring technique. We even included a handy sizing chart at the bottom of the post so you can get a quick estimate.
Ready to get started? You'll just need to gather these things:
- Tape measure
- Pencil and notepaper or note app on your phone
- Calculator or phone app
Step 1: Measure the Length
Grab your tape measure and start measuring. Begin at the inside edge of the bulkhead (the wall of the bed separating it from the cab of the truck) and pull back toward the tailgate. It should help to use the bed rail as a guide to keep the tape measure straight. Stop at the interior edge of the tailgate.
Jot the measurement on your notepaper or type it into a note on your phone.
Step 2: Measure the Width
Starting at the interior edge where the tailgate meets the sidewall, run your tape measure along the tailgate and stop at the opposite sidewall's interior edge. If your bed has pronounced wheel wells, it can help to measure the distance between them as well in case you're looking to add an accessory that needs to lie flat across the bed.
Record the measurement on paper or on your phone.
Step 3: Calculate Feet
Divide the number of inches by 12 to determine the length of your truck bed in feet. Your bed length is the number of feet and residual inches (i.e. 5'8")
Pro Tip
Keep in mind that most bed manufacturers round their bed sizes up, so just choose the option closest to your measurement. With this information, you'll be able to choose the correct accessories to fit your truck bed.
EXAMPLE CONVERSION CHART
|
Vehicle Type |
Bed Type |
Actual Length |
Advertised Length |
|
Chevy Colorado |
Short Bed |
62.7 in. |
5'2'' (63 in.) |
|
Chevy Colorado |
Long Bed |
74.0 in. |
6'2'' (74 in.) |
|
Chevy Silverado |
Short Bed |
69.3 in. |
5'8'' (69 in.) |
|
Chevy Silverado |
Standard Bed |
78.8 in. |
6'6'' (79 in.) |
|
Chevy Silverado |
Standard Bed |
82.2 in. |
6'9'' (82 in.) |
|
Chevy Silverado |
Long Bed |
97.8 in. |
8' (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' (96 in.) |
|
Ford F-150 |
Short Bed |
67.1 in. |
5.5' (67 in.) |
|
Ford F-150 |
Standard Bed |
78.9 in. |
6.5' (79 in.) |
|
Ford F-150 |
Long Bed |
97.6 in. |
8' (98 in.) |
|
Ford F-250 |
Short Bed |
81.8 in. |
6.75' (82 in.) |
|
Ford F-250 |
Standard Bed |
98.0 in. |
8' (98 in.) |
|
Ford F-350 |
Short Bed |
81.8 in. |
6.75' (82 in.) |
|
Ford F-350 |
Standard Bed |
98.0 in. |
8' (98 in.) |
|
GMC Canyon |
Short Bed |
62.7 in. |
5'2'' (63 in.) |
|
GMC Canyon |
Long Bed |
74.0 in. |
6'2'' (74 in.) |
|
GMC Sierra |
Short Bed |
69.3 in. |
5'8'' (69 in.) |
|
GMC Sierra |
Standard Bed |
82.2 in. |
6'9'' (82 in.) |
|
GMC Sierra |
Standard Bed |
78.8 in. |
6'6'' (79 in.) |
|
GMC Sierra |
Long Bed |
97.8 in. |
8' (98 in.) |
|
Nissan Frontier |
Short Bed |
59.5 in. |
5' (60 in.) |
|
Nissan Frontier |
Standard Bed |
73.3 in. |
6' (73 in.) |
|
Nissan Titan |
Short Bed |
67.1 in. |
5.5' (67 in.) |
|
Nissan Titan |
Standard Bed |
78.9 in. |
6.5' (79 in.) |
|
Toyota Tacoma |
Short Bed |
60.3 in. |
5' (60 in.) |
|
Toyota Tacoma |
Standard Bed |
73.5 in. |
6' (74 in.) |
|
Toyota Tundra |
Short Bed |
66.7 in. |
5.5' (67 in.) |
|
Toyota Tundra |
Standard Bed |
78.7 in. |
6.5' (79 in.) |
|
Toyota Tundra |
Long Bed |
97.6 in. |
8' (98 in.) |
* NOTE: Sizes listed for the 2023 models. This table is for examples and reference only. It does not contain all the bed lengths available for the trucks listed.
