This is the oldest truss design used in bridge construction, initially used under the roadway rather than above. It consists of a stringer, a Kingpost (vertical beam), and two diagonals and is used primarily for the short spans of approximately twenty to thirty feet.

The Multiple Kingpost design was developed to span longer distances, frequently up to one hundred feet. The design consists of one kingpost in the center with several right angle panels on each side of the center.