Lashing Capacity Guide

Lashing Capacity (LC) Guide

Understanding Safe Load Securing

Lashing Capacity is one of the most important factors in choosing the correct ratchet strap, yet it is often misunderstood or overlooked. Whether you are securing machinery, pallets, construction materials or lighter commercial loads, knowing how LC works ensures every journey begins and ends safely. This guide explains what LC means, how it relates to Breaking Strength, and why it matters for both safety and compliance.

Lashing Capacity vs Breaking Strength

Understanding the difference ensures safe, compliant load securing.

LC

What Is Lashing Capacity?

Lashing Capacity (LC) is the maximum force a ratchet strap can safely apply while holding a load in place. It is measured in decanewtons (daN), which closely aligns with kilograms of force, making suitability easier to assess.

LC is the figure relied upon by drivers, operators, inspectors and regulatory bodies when assessing whether a strap is appropriate for a given load.

Under EN12195-2, the LC of a two-part ratchet strap is typically half of its Breaking Strength. This accounts for real-world forces, hooks, stitching points and repeated use — not just one destructive test.

BS

What Is Breaking Strength?

Breaking Strength (also called Breaking Force) is the maximum load a strap can withstand before it fails under controlled laboratory testing. It is a destructive test figure and does not represent a safe working limit.

Breaking Strength shows the point of total failure. Lashing Capacity, by contrast, shows what the strap can safely handle during everyday transport conditions.

Choosing straps based on Breaking Strength alone risks overloading them in transit. This is why LC is the industry standard for safe, compliant load restraint.

In simple terms: Breaking Strength is the number that breaks a strap in testing. Lashing Capacity is the number that keeps your load secure on the road.

Although both values appear on strap labels, they serve very different purposes. Breaking Strength describes how much force is required to cause catastrophic failure in a test environment. Lashing Capacity indicates how much force the strap can safely withstand during routine transport. The first number tells you what breaks a strap; the second tells you what keeps a load secure. For that reason, LC is the figure that drivers, operators and inspectors all rely on.

Why Endless Straps Are Rated LC = BS Endless straps do not use hooks, end-fittings or hardware, so there is no derating of the assembly. Under EN12195-2, the LC of a two-part strap is reduced to account for the weakest point in the system (hooks, stitching, or the ratchet). An endless strap forms a closed loop with no fittings, meaning its strength is determined solely by the webbing and stitching. As a result, its Lashing Capacity is equal to its tested Breaking Strength. This is why endless straps provide the highest usable strength relative to their size and are ideal where full webbing performance is required.

Why Lashing Capacity Matters

Lashing Capacity directly influences how securely a load remains in position once a vehicle begins to move. Transport introduces forces that static testing cannot replicate — including braking, acceleration, cornering, vibration and the shifting weight of the cargo itself.

If a strap’s LC is too low for the load, even a small amount of movement can quickly develop into instability. A load that slides just a few centimetres can alter vehicle handling, strain anchor points, damage goods and significantly increase the risk of an accident.

Using straps that fall below the required LC also increases the likelihood of failure. A strap may appear visually sound when stationary, yet once transport forces are applied, it can stretch, tear or fail at the stitching or hooks if operating beyond its intended limit.

Selecting the correct LC ensures the entire assembly — webbing, ratchet, hooks and stitching — can withstand the forces expected in transit and perform consistently from departure to delivery.

There is also a compliance aspect. During roadside checks, inspectors assess whether the equipment used is suitable for the load being carried. Lashing Capacity is central to this evaluation. If straps do not meet the required capacity, vehicles may be delayed, prohibited or fined.

In short, Lashing Capacity is not simply a number on a label — it is the measure that ensures a load stays exactly where it should throughout the entire journey, protecting the driver, the business and the cargo.

How to Use LC When Selecting Straps

Selecting the right strap begins with understanding the weight, size and behaviour of the load. Once you know what forces the cargo is likely to generate during transport, you can determine the LC required. The combined LC of all straps securing the load must comfortably exceed the forces acting on it. Checking the label for the LC value in daN, and matching that value to the number of straps used, ensures the restraint system remains within safe limits. This straightforward approach helps prevent overloading, protects equipment and keeps transport operations consistent and predictable.

Typical LC by Strap Category

Different strap widths and configurations naturally provide different levels of restraint. Narrower straps, such as 25mm, are suited to lighter loads and internal van work, while 35mm straps are commonly used for general trailer and vehicle securing. The 50mm category covers most heavy-duty needs, including plant machinery and palletised goods, and 75mm straps are used for industrial-scale loads where higher strength and stability are essential. Endless straps provide full strength because they are not derated by hooks or hardware.

Lashing Capacity & Breaking Strength Range

Strap Category	Width	Breaking Strength (BS)	Lashing Capacity (LC)	Action
Cam Buckle Straps	25mm–50mm	250kg–1100kg	125–550 daN	View Products
25mm Ratchet Straps	25mm	800kg–1500kg	400–750 daN	View Products
Retractable Ratchet Straps	25mm–50mm	680kg–1500kg	340–750 daN	View Products
35mm Ratchet Straps	35mm	2000kg–3000kg	1000–1500 daN	View Products
50mm Ratchet Straps (Standard & Heavy Duty)	50mm	2000kg–5000kg	1000–2500 daN	View Products
Endless Ratchet Straps	25mm–50mm	800kg–5000kg	800–5000 daN	View Products
75mm Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps	75mm	10,000kg	5000 daN	View Products

Lashing Capacity is central to safe, compliant and professional load securing. It ensures the strap is suitable for the forces it will experience on the road, prevents unnecessary movement, reduces wear on equipment and supports safe vehicle handling. Every Taut-Strap ratchet strap is clearly labelled with its LC and Breaking Strength to make selection quick and reliable. For advice tailored to a specific load or application, the Taut-Strap team is always available to help identify the correct strap for the job.