Ludwig was born before 31 October 1412, the eldest son of Count Eberhard IV and his wife Henriette, Countess of Mömpelgard.

[1] Eberhard died unexpectedly of illness on 2 July 1419, while Ludwig and his younger brother Ulrich were both minors.

After Ulrich's wedding with Margarethe von Cleve, the two brothers agreed on the partition of Württemberg.

Ludwig remodeled Urach into his residence and implemented an active policy to strengthen the monasteries in his realm of power.

For example he supported duke Albert VI of Austria in his fight against the Old Swiss Confederacy.