How do I know my F-150 bed size?
Most Ford F-150 beds are 5.5 feet or 6.5 feet long. To know your exact box size, check official documentation or measure the bed yourself.
Understanding your bed size is important for choosing the right tonneau covers, bed liners, and accessories, as well as for payload calculations. This guide explains practical ways to identify your bed length and how to measure it accurately when documentation isn’t available.
Know your bed size: quick methods
Use these reliable sources and checks to determine your F-150’s bed length for your specific truck configuration.
- Window sticker (Monroney label): The factory sticker present when the vehicle was new lists the cargo box length for the configured build.
- VIN/build sheet lookup: Enter the VIN into Ford’s official tools or a trusted database to pull the build sheet, which includes the bed length.
- Door jamb placard or owners manual: Some labels or manuals note the cab/box combination or bed length.
- Official Ford resources: Ford’s website, dealer portals, or model-year brochures often show bed length by cab style and year.
- Direct measurement: If documentation isn’t accessible, you can measure the bed length yourself following a simple method.
In practice, the window sticker or VIN/build sheet provides the most definitive answer for your specific truck.
How to measure your bed length accurately
Alternatively, if documentation isn’t available, measure the bed length directly. This method gives you a precise, hands-on answer you can rely on for accessories and organizers.
- Close the tailgate and stand at the rear of the truck.
- Measure from the inside edge of the tailgate to the inside front wall of the bed where it meets the cab, along the bed floor.
- Record the measurement in inches and convert to feet by dividing by 12 (e.g., 78 inches = 6.5 feet).
- Double-check your measurement to ensure accuracy.
Direct measurement yields the actual bed length for your truck and is the most reliable method when documentation is missing or unclear.
Understanding bed length and real-world implications
The bed length influences payload management, tie-down availability, and compatibility with bed accessories such as tonneau covers, bed organizers, and toolbox installations. When shopping for gear, confirm your exact bed length and account for any bed features (like integrated rails or liners) that could affect usable space.
Common bed lengths you may encounter
In current F-150 configurations, the two primary bed lengths are 5.5 feet (67 inches) and 6.5 feet (78 inches). An 8-foot box has appeared in some older or non-standard setups, but it is not part of Ford’s typical current lineup. Always verify your truck’s bed length with its documentation.
- 5.5 feet (67 inches)
- 6.5 feet (78 inches)
- 8 feet (96 inches) — historically possible in some non-standard configurations, not common today
For the vast majority of buyers shopping new F-150s today, expect one of the two primary lengths: 5.5 or 6.5 feet. Always confirm with the manufacturer’s documentation for your exact vehicle.
Summary
To know your F-150 bed size, consult the window sticker, VIN/build sheet, or door jamb labeling, or measure the bed directly if documentation isn’t available. The most common current options are 5.5- and 6.5-foot boxes, with rare historical exceptions for other lengths. Verifying the exact bed length helps ensure accessory compatibility, proper payload planning, and a precise fit for your cargo needs.
How do I tell the size of my bed?
Measure from top to bottom of your bed frame to get the length and then from side to side to figure out the width to get your bed measurements. If you want extra information, such as the height of your current bed or to figure out the height of a new bed, then go from the floor to the top of the bed frame.
How do I know my F-150 bed size?
Your F-150 likely has a 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, or 8-foot bed, which depends on the truck's cab style. The 5.5-foot bed is most common with the SuperCrew cab, the 6.5-foot bed with the SuperCab, and the 8-foot bed with the Regular Cab. To confirm the exact size, measure the inside length of the bed from the bulkhead to the inside of the tailgate and divide the measurement in inches by 12.
- 5.5-foot bed: Approximately 67.167.167.1 inches long.
- 6.5-foot bed: Approximately 78.978.978.9 inches long.
- 8-foot bed: Approximately 97.697.697.6 inches long.
How do you tell if a truck is a long bed or short bed?
You can tell if a truck is a long bed or short bed by looking at the distance between the rear wheel well and the cab, as short beds have significantly less space. Other indicators include checking the gas door location on certain models, as a more forward position often signals a short bed, or by measuring the bed length to be certain, as short beds are typically around 5.5 to 6.5 feet and long beds are often 8 feet.
This video explains the difference in length between a short bed and a long bed truck: 58sPurple Collar LifeYouTube · Jan 10, 2024
Visual cues
- Wheel well to cab distance: A short bed will have a smaller gap between the rear wheel well and the back of the cab. A long bed will have a much larger gap, which is often more than a foot longer.
- Gas door location: On some models, the gas door is a good indicator. A short bed typically has a gas door positioned closer to the front of the bed, while a long bed has it further back.
- Proportions: A short bed truck generally looks more proportional, while a long bed can look stretched out, especially on a crew cab model.
Measurement
- Measure the bed length: The most accurate method is to measure the length of the bed from the inside of the bulkhead (the front of the bed) to the inside of the tailgate.
- Short bed: Typically around 5.5 to 6.5 feet.
- Long bed: Often around 8 feet.
This video shows how to measure your truck bed for accurate measurement: 1mSummit RacingYouTube · Apr 29, 2023
Other indicators
- Dealer information: If you are at a dealership, ask a salesperson for assistance. They will know the exact bed length of the truck.
- VIN decoder: Use the truck's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to get its exact specifications from an online VIN decoder.
Which F-150 has a 6.5 bed?
2022 Ford F-150 Bed Options & Model Availability
| Cab Style | Bed Size | Trim Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Super Cab | 6.5 ft. | XL, XLT, LARIAT |
| Super Cab | 8 ft. | XL, XLT, LARIAT |
| SuperCrew | 5.5 ft. | XL, XLT, LARIAT, King Ranch®, Platinum, Limited, Tremor®, Raptor® |
| SuperCrew | 6.5 ft. | XL, XLT, LARIAT, King Ranch, Platinum |
