Estimate less-than-truckload shipping costs using base rate per CWT, fuel surcharge, accessorial charges, and discount. Budget LTL freight accurately.
Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is the most common method for moving palletized freight that doesn't fill an entire trailer. LTL pricing is based on the rate per hundredweight (CWT), which varies by freight class, origin-destination lane, and carrier. Additional charges include fuel surcharges, accessorial fees, and any applicable discounts.
Calculating LTL freight costs accurately requires combining the base CWT rate with the shipment weight, then layering on fuel and accessorials. Discounts from negotiated carrier contracts can significantly reduce the final cost, often ranging from 50% to 85% off the published tariff rate.
This calculator takes all the key variables — weight, CWT rate, fuel surcharge percentage, accessorial charges, and your negotiated discount — and computes the estimated total LTL freight cost. Use it to compare carrier quotes and budget for your shipping expenses.
Supply-chain managers, warehouse operators, and shipping coordinators rely on precise ltl freight cost data to maintain efficiency and control costs across complex distribution networks. Revisit this calculator whenever conditions change to keep your logistics plans aligned with real-world performance.
LTL pricing is complex, with many components that can make quotes difficult to compare apples-to-apples. This calculator helps you break down costs into their component parts, understand how discounts and fuel surcharges affect the total, and make informed decisions about carrier selection and shipment consolidation. Real-time recalculation lets you model different scenarios quickly, ensuring your logistics decisions are backed by accurate, up-to-date numbers.
Base Charge = (Weight / 100) × CWT Rate Discounted Base = Base Charge × (1 − Discount %) Fuel Surcharge = Discounted Base × FSC % Total Cost = Discounted Base + Fuel Surcharge + Accessorials
Result: Total LTL Cost = $291.60
Base Charge = (1,200 / 100) × $45 = $540. Discounted Base = $540 × (1 − 0.70) = $162. Fuel Surcharge = $162 × 0.28 = $45.36. Accessorials = $75. Total = $162 + $45.36 + $75 = $282.36.
LTL pricing has four main components: base freight charge, fuel surcharge, accessorial fees, and discounts. The base charge uses the CWT rate from the carrier's tariff, which varies by freight class, weight break, and lane. Understanding each component helps you identify opportunities to reduce costs.
Volume commitment is the strongest lever in LTL negotiations. Carriers reward consistent, predictable freight with deeper discounts. Other negotiation points include fuel surcharge caps, accessorial fee waivers, and guaranteed transit times. Annual bid processes comparing multiple carriers keep rates competitive.
LTL makes sense for shipments between 150 and 10,000 lbs that don't justify a full truckload. Below 150 lbs, parcel carriers are usually cheaper. Above 10,000 lbs, partial truckload (PTL) or volume LTL rates may offer savings. Always compare across modes for shipments near these thresholds.
CWT stands for hundredweight, or the cost per 100 pounds of freight. LTL carriers publish rates per CWT for each freight class and lane combination. Multiply your shipment weight (in hundreds of pounds) by the CWT rate to get the base freight charge.
LTL discounts off published tariff rates typically range from 50% to 85%, depending on volume, lane consistency, and negotiation. High-volume shippers with consistent lanes often achieve discounts at the upper end of this range.
LTL fuel surcharges are based on the weekly DOE (Department of Energy) national average diesel price. Each carrier has a fuel surcharge table that maps diesel prices to FSC percentages, typically ranging from 20% to 35% of the base freight charge.
Common accessorials include liftgate delivery ($50-$150), inside delivery ($50-$100), residential delivery ($50-$100), limited access ($50-$75), notification/appointment ($15-$25), and hazmat fees ($25-$100). Keep in mind that individual circumstances can significantly affect the outcome.
Most LTL carriers have a minimum charge (often $100-$300) that applies to very light shipments. Even if your calculated CWT charge is lower, you'll pay at least the minimum. This makes LTL uneconomical for very small shipments.
LTL rates decrease per CWT as weight increases (weight breaks). A 5,000 lb shipment has a lower per-CWT rate than a 500 lb shipment in the same class. Carriers offer break points at 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 lbs.