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Guide to Selecting a Lashing Strap by LC

27.11.2025

📝 Complete Guide to Selecting a Lashing Strap by LC (Lashing Capacity)

🌟 Introduction: Safety and Compliance – Your Top Priority

In the field of logistics and freight transport, a lashing strap is more than just a piece of webbing with a ratchet; it is a critical safety component that protects your cargo, your driver, and your company’s reputation from fines and losses.

The main parameter that defines a strap’s reliability is its Lashing Capacity (LC). Ignoring this indicator or making an incorrect selection can lead to cargo damage, severe fines from inspecting authorities, and even traffic accidents.

In this guide, LPX Trade explains how to correctly interpret LC and how to select the strap that is perfectly suited for your transport task.

1. What is LC (Lashing Capacity) and Why Does It Matter?

LC (Lashing Capacity) is the maximum permissible working load of the strap, expressed in daN (decaNewtons) või kg.

Important to know:

LC indicates the maximum force (tension) that a strap can withstand in a straight line before it breaks.
On all quality lashing straps (compliant with the European standard EN 12195-2), the LC must be indicated on the blue marking label.

💡 LC vs. Break Strength

Do not confuse LC with Break Strength. The Break Strength is always 2 times higher than the LC. For example, if the strap’s LC is 2500 daN, its Break Strength is 5000 daN. You should only work with cargo within the LC limit.

2. How to Select the LC for Your Cargo: Essential Formulas

The selection of LC depends on the lashing method — it can be either Top-Over Lashing või Direct/Diagonal Lashing.

A. Top-Over Lashing (The Most Common Method)

In top-over lashing, the strap is placed over the cargo and secured to both sides of the vehicle bed. In this case, the Standard Tension Force (STF), which is also indicated on the label, is important.

Formula for determining the required number of straps (N):

N = \frac{(M \times c_x - P) \times g}{\mu \times S T F \times S}

Where:

$M$ — Mass of the cargo (kg)
$c_x$ — Safety coefficient (typically $0.8$ for forward securing)
$P$ — Pre-tension force (created by the ratchet)
$g$ — Acceleration due to gravity ( $9.81 m/s^2$ )
$\mu$ — Coefficient of friction between the cargo and the floor (provided in tables)
$STF$ — Standard Tension Force (daN)
$S$ — Tension increase coefficient (approx. $1.5-2.0$ )

Practical Tip: For standard pallets weighing 500 to 1000 kg, straps with an LC of 2500 daN are usually sufficient (when using 4-6 straps). For cargo up to 400 kg, LC 800 daN või LC 1000 daN straps are suitable.

B. Direct (Diagonal) Lashing

In direct lashing, the strap is used to secure the cargo at an angle to the floor to prevent it from shifting forward, backward, or sideways. The calculation here is more complex and depends on the lashing angle.

Formula (simplified):

LC_{min} = \frac{M \times \text{Acceleration Coefficient}}{\text{Number of straps} \times (\cos \alpha \times \cos \beta + \mu \times \sin \alpha)}

$\alpha$ — Angle between the floor and the strap (vertical)
$\beta$ — Angle between the longitudinal axis and the strap (horizontal)

The smaller the angle $\alpha$ (the more vertically the strap is positioned), the lower its effectiveness!

3. Other Factors to Consider When Selecting (Beyond LC)

Parameter	Why It Matters?	LPX Trade Recommendation
Webbing Width	Affects the contact area with the cargo and overall strength.	For LC 2500 daN and higher, use 50 mm wide webbing. For lighter cargo — 25 mm or 35 mm.
Materjal	Most straps are made of polyester. It is resistant to UV and moisture but susceptible to cuts.	Ensure the material complies with the EN 12195-2 standard.
Pikkus	Choose a strap with some excess length. A strap that is too short will not allow you to secure the cargo and vehicle bed.	For standard trailers, we recommend 8-12 m.
Hook Type	Must match the anchor points in your transport vehicle (J-hook, S-hook, Flat hook).	Check compatibility: universal J-hooks fit most Euro trailers.
Label (Tag)	The presence of a blue marking label indicating LC, STF, and the date of manufacture is mandatory!	Never use a strap if the label is damaged or missing.

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4. Summary: How to Quickly Select the Right Strap

Determine the mass of the cargo (M).
Determine the lashing method: Top-Over or Direct (Diagonal).
For Top-Over Lashing: Focus on STF (tension force) and the coefficient of friction ( $\mu$ ). The higher the STF, the fewer straps you will need.
For Direct Lashing: Focus on LC and use straps with the maximum possible vertical angle ( $\alpha$ ).
Always choose a strap whose LC is higher than the minimum calculated value. It is better to be safe than to risk cargo and people.

Need help with calculations? Our team of LPX Trade experts is ready to advise you on selecting the optimal Kinnitusseadmed for your specific tasks and help you with Guide to Selecting a Lashing Strap by LC. Contact us today!