Ford F-150 5.5 Ft Bed Dimensions: Every Measurement You Need Before You Buy

Why These Measurements Matter for Upfitting

If you are planning an upfit for a Ford F-150 short bed, having exact bed dimensions on hand before you buy prevents a lot of problems, especially when you are combining multiple products in the same space, like a crossover box with a transfer tank, or a crossover box with low side boxes alongside it. Most product listings will confirm whether an individual item fits a specific year and bed length, but they won't account for how multiple products fit together in the same bed.

These measurements were taken on a 2021 F-150, but the 5.5-foot short bed dimensions stay roughly consistent from the 2015 model year through 2026 and likely beyond. Small variations between trim levels and individual model years are possible. If any measurement falls right at a threshold for your application, double-check it on your specific truck before you order.

Bed Width

Width varies slightly depending on where in the bed you measure. Here are the key reference points:

• At the bed rail (front, middle, and rear): 62.5 inches
• At the floor level (front of bed): 58.5 inches - the walls taper inward toward the floor
• At the factory D-ring height (mid-wall): 65 inches - slightly wider than the bed rail above it due to wall contour
• Outside bed rail to outside bed rail (front): 71.25 inches
• Outside bed rail to outside bed rail (middle): 70.875 inches
• Outside bed rail to outside bed rail (at stake pocket): 68.5 inches - tapers with the body styling

Bed Length

The bed is marketed as 5.5 feet but the actual measured dimensions are a bit more specific:

• Tailgate closed, driver and passenger sides: 65.375 inches
• Tailgate closed, center of bed: 65.625 inches - very slightly longer at center than at edges
• Tailgate fully open (front to back of lowered gate): 92 inches - a standard 8-foot (96-inch) sheet would hang off the back by about 4 inches
• Full bed rail trim piece length: 71.5 inches

Bed Depth

Depth is measured from a 2x4 spanning the bed rails down to the floor:

• Center of bed: 21.25 inches
• At the first structural rib: 21.25 inches - consistent with center depth
• Above the wheel well (wheel well top to bed rail): 12 to 12.25 inches - critical for low side box fitment

The 12-inch measurement over the wheel well matters if you are shopping for a low side box, since part of that style of box hangs below the bed rail while the rest sits above it.

Wheel Well Dimensions

The wheel wells are a significant constraint on the short bed, especially toward the front of the cargo area:

• Clearance between the two wheel wells (floor level): 50.5 inches
• Clearance between wheel wells with factory drop-in plastic liner: approximately 49.5 inches - you lose about an inch
• Distance from front of bed to where wheel well begins protruding: 9.5 inches
• Wheel well length (along the side of the bed): approximately 34 inches
• Wheel well protrusion into cargo area: approximately 6.5 inches
• Distance from rear bed post to wheel well: 19 inches
• Distance from tailgate to wheel well: 23.25 inches

The 9.5 inches between the front of the bed and the start of the wheel well is important if you are considering a deep crossover box. On a short bed, that limited space means a deep box profile will conflict with the wheel well on the sides of the bed near the cab.

Above the Wheel Wells

Useful if you are considering a transfer tank or anything that sits on top of the wheel wells:

• Height above wheel wells at center: approximately 64.75 inches
• Width at the wheel well overhang midpoint: 65 inches
• Width between tailgate posts: approximately 60 inches (5 feet)

Stake Pocket Locations

The front stake pocket on the 5.5-foot short bed is covered by the plastic bed rail trim and is not accessible without cutting it open. This is different from the 6.5-foot and 8-foot beds, which have a simple removable cap over the front stake pocket.

• Front stake pocket cutout starting point: 3 inches from the front of the bed rail
• Distance from inside edge: 0.5 inches inboard
• Cutout size: approximately 2.25 inches by 2 inches
• Note: This is plastic trim only - no structural metal needs to be cut
• Rear stake pockets: covered by simple plastic snap caps that pop off without cutting

Load Floor and Cab Height

Reference points for anyone planning to load heavy equipment or spec a headache rack:

• Load floor height (ground to bottom of tailgate): approximately 34.25 inches - measured with a person in the bed, so unloaded height may run slightly higher
• Bed rail to top of tail light: 21.5 inches
• Bed rail to top of cab roofline: approximately 23 inches
• Bed rail to top of plastic antenna cover (rear of cab): approximately 23.5 inches

Ford F-150 5.5 FT Bed Dimensions Quick Reference: Full Measurement Summary

• Bed rail width: 62.5 inches
• Floor width at front: 58.5 inches
• D-ring width (mid-wall): 65 inches
• Tailgate closed length (sides): 65.375 inches
• Tailgate closed length (center): 65.625 inches
• Tailgate open length: 92 inches
• Wheel well to wheel well: 50.5 inches (49.5 with factory liner)
• Front bed to wheel well start: 9.5 inches
• Wheel well length: ~34 inches
• Wheel well protrusion: ~6.5 inches
• Center bed depth: 21.25 inches
• Depth over wheel well to bed rail: 12 to 12.25 inches
• Distance from rear post to wheel well: 19 inches
• Distance from tailgate to wheel well: 23.25 inches
• Front stake pocket cutout: 3 inches from front, 0.5 inches inboard, ~2.25 x 2 inches
• Load floor height: ~34.25 inches
• Bed to top of cab: ~23 inches

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these measurements apply to my F-150 if I have a different trim level?

These measurements should hold very close across most trim levels and model years between 2015 and 2026. Small variations are possible depending on factory options and trim-specific features. If a measurement is critical and falls right at a threshold for your application, physically verify it on your own truck before ordering.

Do these measurements apply to the 6.5-foot or 8-foot F-150 beds?

No. These measurements are specific to the 5.5-foot short bed only. The 6.5-foot and 8-foot beds have different dimensions throughout, and they also differ in stake pocket access - those longer beds have a removable cap over the front stake pocket rather than the trim-covered setup on the short bed.

Why does the factory bed liner reduce my wheel well clearance?

The factory drop-in plastic liner adds material thickness along the inside walls of the bed, including around the wheel wells, which slightly reduces the open clearance between them compared to a completely bare bed floor.

Can I fit a deep crossover box on a short bed F-150?

Generally not without running into wheel well conflicts. The only 9.5 inches of clearance between the front of the bed and where the wheel well starts protrudes means a deep box will often conflict with the wheel well geometry near the cab. Standard or low profile crossover boxes are typically the better fit on a 5.5-foot bed.

What's the easiest way to take these measurements on my own truck at home?

A standard tape measure and a straight reference board, like a 2x4 spanning the bed rails, are all you need to replicate these measurements before placing an order.

These measurements are specific to the F-150 short bed. If you have a 6.5-foot or 8-foot bed, a Ram, or a Silverado, those dimensions will be different - take your own measurements before ordering. Find crossover boxes, low side boxes, transfer tanks, and other truck bed equipment at Upfit Supply.