GMC · Full-size light-duty pickup
GMC Sierra 1500 bed dimensions & sizes by year
Buying a tonneau cover and not sure it'll fit? Pick your model year to get the exact bed length of your Sierra 1500 in inches — plus the covers built for it. No guesswork, no wrong-size returns.
Find your bed size in 10 seconds
The GMC Sierra 1500 has come in 5 bed lengths across 2005–2026:
Select your year above for the exact bed length that fits your truck.
Not sure which bed you have?
Two Sierra 1500s from the same year can have different beds depending on cab. Don't trust the badge — measure it. It takes 30 seconds and saves a return.
- 1
Close the tailgate.
- 2
Put a tape measure on the bed floor against the bulkhead (the wall behind the cab).
- 3
Measure straight back to the inside of the closed tailgate.
- 4
Match that number to a bed length above — covers are sold by category (5.5 ft, 6.5 ft, 8 ft…), so round to the nearest one.
Sierra 1500 bed sizes & specs, year by year
Sierra 1500 · T1 (5th gen)
| Bed | Length | Inches | Cabs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.8 ft | 5'10" | 69.92" | Crew Cab | Covers → |
| 6.6 ft | 6'6" | 79.44" | Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab | Covers → |
| 8.2 ft | 8'2" | 98.2" | Regular Cab | Covers → |
- Cab styles
- Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab
- Drivetrain
- RWD, 4WD
- Max towing
- 13,300 lb
- Max payload
- 2,240 lb
- MSRP from
- $36,300 (launch)
Engines (4)
- 2.7L TurboMax I4 (L3B) 310 hp · 430 lb-ft · Gas
- 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (L84) 355 hp · 383 lb-ft · Gas
- 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (L87) 420 hp · 460 lb-ft · Gas
- 3.0L Duramax I6 Turbo-Diesel (LZ0) 305 hp · 495 lb-ft · Diesel
All-new T1 for 2019. 2019-ONLY OVERLAP: GM also sold the 'Sierra 1500 Limited', a K2XX carryover (Double Cab + 6'6" box, 5.3L V8) charted with K2XX-era covers, NOT T1 covers. CarbonPro carbon-fiber bed available on Denali/AT4 (short box) 2019+ with slightly different inner profile - verify cover compatibility. MultiPro tailgate standard on most trims; many covers need MultiPro-compatible variant. 3.0L Duramax was 277hp/460 (2020-22), uprated to 305hp/495 for 2023+.
Sierra 1500 · K2XX
| Bed | Length | Inches | Cabs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.8 ft | 5'10" | 69.92" | Crew Cab | Covers → |
| 6.6 ft | 6'6" | 79.44" | Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab | Covers → |
| 8.2 ft | 8'2" | 98.2" | Regular Cab | Covers → |
- Cab styles
- Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab
- Drivetrain
- RWD, 4WD
- Max towing
- 12,500 lb
- Max payload
- 2,250 lb
Engines (3)
- 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 285 hp · 305 lb-ft · Gas
- 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 355 hp · 383 lb-ft · Gas
- 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 420 hp · 460 lb-ft · Gas
Cab naming Regular/Double/Crew. Short box (69.92") Crew only; standard (79.44") Double+Crew; long (98.2") Regular only. No MultiPro/CarbonPro. Beds NOT cross-compatible with T1 despite identical inches.
Sierra 1500 · GMT900
| Bed | Length | Inches | Cabs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.8 ft | 5'9" | 69.3" | Crew Cab | Covers → |
| 6.5 ft | 6'6" | 78.7" | Extended Cab, Crew Cab | Covers → |
| 8.0 ft | 8'0" | 97.6" | Regular Cab, Extended Cab | Covers → |
- Cab styles
- Regular Cab, Extended Cab, Crew Cab
- Drivetrain
- RWD, 4WD
- Max towing
- 10,700 lb
- Max payload
- 1,937 lb
Engines (5)
- 4.3L Vortec V6 195 hp · 260 lb-ft · Gas
- 4.8L Vortec V8 302 hp · 305 lb-ft · Gas
- 5.3L Vortec V8 315 hp · 335 lb-ft · Gas
- 6.0L V8 Hybrid 332 hp · 367 lb-ft · Hybrid
- 6.2L Vortec V8 (Denali) 403 hp · 417 lb-ft · Gas
Short box (5'9") Crew Cab only; 8.0 ft not on Crew Cab. 2-Mode Hybrid 2009-2013. No MultiPro/CarbonPro.
Sierra 1500 · GMT800 (Classic)
| Bed | Length | Inches | Cabs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.8 ft | 5'9" | 69.3" | Crew Cab | Covers → |
| 6.5 ft | 6'6" | 78.7" | Extended Cab, Crew Cab | Covers → |
| 8.0 ft | 8'0" | 97.6" | Regular Cab, Extended Cab | Covers → |
- Cab styles
- Regular Cab, Extended Cab, Crew Cab
- Drivetrain
- RWD, 4WD
- Max towing
- 10,500 lb
- Max payload
- 2,000 lb
Engines (4)
- 4.3L Vortec V6 195 hp · 260 lb-ft · Gas
- 4.8L Vortec V8 285 hp · 295 lb-ft · Gas
- 5.3L Vortec V8 310 hp · 335 lb-ft · Gas
- 6.0L Vortec V8 345 hp · 380 lb-ft · Gas
Tail end of GMT800, sold 2005-2006 (some 2007 'Sierra Classic'). Short box was Crew Cab only. GMT800 beds NOT interchangeable with GMT900 for tonneau fitment. No MultiPro/CarbonPro. Bed inches approximate.
What fits in a Sierra 1500 bed
Bed length in inches only means something once you know what it swallows. Here's how the loads people actually haul line up against every Sierra 1500 bed on record.
| Load | Needs | 5.8 ft · 69.92" | 6.6 ft · 79.44" | 8.2 ft · 98.2" | 6.5 ft · 78.7" | 8.0 ft · 97.6" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4×8 ft sheet of plywood or drywall | 96" | Won't fit | Tailgate down | Fits, tailgate up | Tailgate down | Fits, tailgate up |
| 8 ft 2×4s and trim lumber | 96" | Won't fit | Tailgate down | Fits, tailgate up | Tailgate down | Fits, tailgate up |
| Full-size dirt bike | 85" | Tailgate down | Tailgate down | Fits, tailgate up | Tailgate down | Fits, tailgate up |
| Adult mountain bike, wheels on | 70" | Tailgate down | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up |
| Two-person truck bed tent | 60" | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up |
| Standard 48×40 in shipping pallet | 48" | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up | Fits, tailgate up |
"Tailgate down" assumes the roughly 18 inches a dropped tailgate adds on a typical pickup — measure yours before you count on it, and strap anything that overhangs. Width is the other half of the answer: a 48-inch sheet only lies flat on the bed floor when the wheel wells are more than 48 inches apart, otherwise it rides on top of the arches. For cubic feet of mulch, soil or gravel, run your dimensions through the bed volume calculator.
Volume is one limit, weight is the other. Check your Sierra 1500's real payload → · what it can actually tow →
More Sierra 1500 specs
Bed size is one number among several. These carry the rest of the reference data for this truck specifically.
Other trucks with a Sierra 1500-size bed
Cross-shopping, or checking whether a cover you already own could move to another truck? These pickups come in a bed within two inches of a Sierra 1500 bed.
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
- Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
- Chevrolet Silverado EV
- Ford F-150
- Ford F-250 Super Duty
- Ford F-350 Super Duty
- GMC Sierra 2500HD
Same length still isn't the same cover — rail height and bed-rail profile differ by truck. Confirm with the fitment checker before you buy or swap.
Tonneau covers that fit the Sierra 1500
Not sure a cover will fit? Run the Sierra 1500 fitment checker → for your bed length, the cover types that fit, and any Sierra 1500-specific gotchas.
Hands-on Sierra 1500 cover reviews are landing soon. In the meantime, browse vetted, correctly-sized options for your bed:
Sierra 1500 bed size — frequently asked
What bed sizes does the GMC Sierra 1500 come in?
The GMC Sierra 1500 has been offered with 5 bed lengths: 5.8 ft (69.92"), 6.6 ft (79.44"), 8.2 ft (98.2"), 6.5 ft (78.7") and 8.0 ft (97.6"). The exact bed on your truck depends on its model year and cab — choose your year above to see which covers fit.
How do I measure my Sierra 1500 bed length?
Measure the inside floor of the bed, from the bulkhead (the wall behind the cab) to the inside of the closed tailgate. Round to the nearest standard size — tonneau covers are sold by bed-length category (e.g. 5.5 ft, 6.5 ft, 8 ft), not the exact inch.
What bed size is the newest Sierra 1500?
The current Sierra 1500 (2019–present) comes with 5.8 ft (69.92"), 6.6 ft (79.44") and 8.2 ft (98.2").
Will a tonneau cover from an older Sierra 1500 fit a newer one?
Not necessarily. Covers are matched to a specific generation and bed length, and both the bed length and the rail design can change between generations. Always match your exact model year and bed size before buying — the year-by-year table below shows where the Sierra 1500 changed.
Will a 4×8 sheet of plywood fit in a Sierra 1500?
Yes — the longest Sierra 1500 bed on record is 98.2", so a full 4×8 sheet lies flat with the tailgate closed. Width matters too: a 48-inch sheet only lies flat on the floor if the gap between the wheel wells is wider than 48 inches — on mid-size trucks it rides on top of the wheel arches instead.
What's the difference between the short and long bed Sierra 1500?
Across the model's history the beds run from 69.92" to 98.2" — a difference of 28 inches of usable floor. The longer bed hauls more and takes longer sheet goods, the shorter bed is easier to park and turn. They take different tonneau covers, so the bed you have decides which cover part number you order.
How much can a Sierra 1500 tow?
Properly equipped, the Sierra 1500 has been rated up to 13,300 lb across the generations on this page, with a maximum payload of about 2,250 lb. Those are best-case figures for a specific engine, cab and axle combination — your truck's door-jamb sticker and owner's manual are the numbers that count. Run them through the towing and payload calculators to see what's actually left for a trailer once passengers and gear are on board.
What cab configurations does the Sierra 1500 come in?
The Sierra 1500 has been offered as Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab and Extended Cab. Cab choice is what usually decides bed length — a bigger cab on the same wheelbase means a shorter bed, which is why two trucks from the same year can need different covers.
Does a tonneau cover on a Sierra 1500 improve gas mileage?
A little, and only at highway speed. Independent testing puts the gain on a typical pickup at roughly 1–2%, which is real but small — on most Sierra 1500 trucks that's a few dollars a tank, not a payback plan. Buy a cover for the dry, locked, secure bed; treat the mileage as a bonus.
