What is the volume of the F-150 short bed?
The short bed on the Ford F-150—the 5.5-foot bed—offers about 52 cubic feet of cargo space behind the cab. Exact figures vary slightly by model year, cab configuration and bed features, but 52 cu ft is the commonly cited ballpark used by Ford and automotive data sources.
Bed sizes and what they mean for cargo space
The F-150 comes in three bed lengths: a 5.5-foot short bed, a 6.5-foot standard bed, and an 8-foot long bed. The choice affects total cargo volume as well as how the truck pairs with different cabs and wheelbases. For many buyers, the short bed is paired with a crew cab while preserving a practical amount of bed space.
How bed volume is measured
Automakers publish cargo volume as the space behind the cab, measured from inner wall to tailgate, and typically exclude some intrusions from wheel wells or bed liners. The published figures aim to reflect usable storage rather than raw, hollow dimensions, so real-world space can vary with accessories and specific trim features.
Volume specifics for the 5.5-foot short bed
Below is a concise snapshot of typical cargo volume figures for Ford’s 5.5-foot bed. These are the commonly cited benchmarks and can vary slightly by year and trim due to bedliner, tailgate step, or other features.
- 5.5-foot short bed (the standard “short bed”): about 52 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the cab.
Note: Real-world usable space can vary with options like bedliners, wheel well shapes, and additional bed accessories.
How the short bed compares with other bed lengths
For reference, other bed lengths in the F-150 lineup offer progressively more cargo volume, roughly as follows. Figures are approximate and depend on year, trim, and configuration.
- 6.5-foot bed: about 62 cubic feet
- 8-foot bed: about 76–77 cubic feet
Again, exact numbers can vary slightly based on model year, cab style, and any bed accessories or features installed.
Summary
The F-150’s short bed, at 5.5 feet in length, typically provides around 52 cubic feet of cargo space behind the cab in common configurations, with larger bed lengths offering more volume. If you’re planning payload or cargo organization, verify the specific specification sheet for your model year and trim and consider how features like wheel wells or bed liners might affect usable space.
