Online Freight Calculator

by

Online Freight Calculator

Shipping freight can be complicated and expensive if you don’t have accurate cost estimates upfront. Whether you're a small business owner, logistics manager, eCommerce seller, or independent shipper, knowing your freight cost before booking is essential for budgeting and profitability.

Our Online Freight Calculator is a powerful, user-friendly tool that helps you quickly estimate shipping costs for LTL (Less Than Truckload), FTL (Full Truckload), and Parcel shipments. With just a few inputs—weight, dimensions, distance, and freight class—you can get an instant breakdown of your estimated shipping cost, including fuel surcharges and optional services like liftgate and residential delivery.

In this guide, we’ll explain how the freight calculator works, how to use it properly, provide practical examples, and answer the most common freight shipping questions.

What Is an Online Freight Calculator?

An online freight calculator is a digital tool that estimates the cost of transporting goods based on shipment details. Instead of contacting multiple carriers or waiting for manual quotes, you can calculate:

  • Base shipping rate
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Freight class impact
  • Dimensional weight (for parcels)
  • Accessorial fees (liftgate & residential delivery)
  • Total estimated freight cost

This allows you to compare options and plan your shipping budget effectively.

Shipment Types Supported

Our freight calculator supports three major shipment types:

1. LTL (Less Than Truckload)

LTL shipping is ideal for freight that doesn’t require a full trailer. Multiple shipments share truck space, making it cost-effective for smaller loads.

Best for:

  • 150–15,000 lbs shipments
  • Palletized goods
  • Business-to-business deliveries

Freight class plays a key role in LTL pricing.

2. FTL (Full Truckload)

FTL shipping is used when your shipment fills an entire trailer or requires exclusive truck use.

Best for:

  • Large shipments
  • High-value freight
  • Time-sensitive deliveries
  • Minimal handling requirements

FTL pricing is typically influenced by distance and total weight.

3. Parcel Shipping

Parcel shipping is suitable for smaller packages that move through standard courier networks.

Best for:

  • Boxes under 150 lbs
  • eCommerce shipments
  • Direct-to-consumer deliveries

Parcel rates often use dimensional weight pricing, meaning package size matters just as much as actual weight.

How to Use the Freight Calculator (Step-by-Step)

Using our freight calculator is simple and takes less than a minute.

Step 1: Select Shipment Type

Choose:

  • LTL
  • FTL
  • Parcel

Your selection determines how the base rate is calculated.

Step 2: Enter Shipment Weight

Input the total shipment weight in pounds (lbs).
Accurate weight is essential for correct pricing.

Step 3: Enter Dimensions

Provide:

  • Length (inches)
  • Width (inches)
  • Height (inches)

These are used to calculate:

  • Cubic feet
  • Density
  • Dimensional weight (for parcel shipments)

Step 4: Enter Distance

Enter the shipping distance in miles.
Distance directly affects base freight rates.

Step 5: Select Freight Class (For LTL)

Freight class ranges from:

  • Class 50 (lower cost, dense freight)
  • Up to Class 500 (higher cost, lightweight/high-value items)

Freight class impacts the rate multiplier.

Step 6: Choose Additional Services (Optional)

You can select:

  • ✔ Liftgate Service
  • ✔ Residential Delivery

These services add fixed accessorial charges to your estimate.

Step 7: Click “Calculate”

The tool instantly displays:

  • Shipment Details
  • Cubic Feet
  • Density
  • Base Rate
  • Fuel Surcharge (20%)
  • Accessorial Fees
  • Total Estimated Cost

You also have a reset button to start over quickly.

How the Freight Calculator Works

Here’s what happens behind the scenes:

Cubic Feet Calculation

The tool converts cubic inches into cubic feet to determine shipment density.

Density Calculation

Density = Weight ÷ Cubic Feet

Density is important for determining LTL freight class pricing.

Base Rate Calculations by Shipment Type

Parcel:

  • Uses dimensional weight formula
  • Billable weight = higher of actual weight or dimensional weight
  • Includes per-mile distance factor

FTL:

  • Based on mileage rate
  • Includes weight factor

LTL:

  • Uses base per-mile rate
  • Multiplied by freight class
  • Includes weight factor

Fuel Surcharge

A 20% fuel surcharge is automatically added to reflect fluctuating fuel prices.

Accessorial Fees

Additional services add:

  • Liftgate fee (varies by shipment type)
  • Residential delivery fee (varies by shipment type)

These are included in your final total.

Example Freight Cost Calculation

Let’s look at a real-world example.

Scenario:

  • Shipment Type: LTL
  • Weight: 1,000 lbs
  • Dimensions: 48 × 40 × 48 inches
  • Distance: 500 miles
  • Freight Class: 85
  • Liftgate: Yes
  • Residential Delivery: No

What the Calculator Shows:

  • Cubic Feet
  • Density
  • Base Rate
  • Fuel Surcharge (20%)
  • Liftgate Fee
  • Total Estimated Cost

This breakdown helps you understand exactly where your money is going.

Why Use an Online Freight Calculator?

1. Instant Results

No waiting for carrier quotes.

2. Transparent Cost Breakdown

See base rate, fuel surcharge, and accessorial fees separately.

3. Budget Planning

Plan logistics costs before booking shipments.

4. Compare Shipment Types

Quickly compare LTL vs FTL vs Parcel.

5. Improve Profit Margins

Better freight forecasting improves pricing accuracy for your customers.

Tips to Lower Freight Costs

  • Optimize packaging dimensions
  • Reduce unused box space
  • Increase shipment density
  • Avoid unnecessary accessorial services
  • Consolidate shipments when possible
  • Double-check freight class accuracy

Even small changes can significantly impact your total cost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is LTL shipping?

LTL shipping moves smaller freight that shares trailer space with other shipments.

2. What is FTL shipping?

FTL shipping reserves an entire truck for one shipment.

3. How is freight class determined?

Freight class is based on density, value, handling, and liability.

4. What is dimensional weight?

Dimensional weight is pricing based on package volume rather than actual weight.

5. Why is fuel surcharge added?

Fuel surcharge accounts for fluctuating diesel fuel costs.

6. What is a liftgate service?

A liftgate helps load or unload freight when no loading dock is available.

7. What is residential delivery?

Delivery to a home address rather than a commercial facility.

8. Is this freight calculator accurate?

It provides a reliable estimate but actual carrier quotes may vary.

9. Can I use this calculator for international shipping?

This version is best suited for domestic mile-based estimates.

10. What units does the calculator use?

Weight in pounds, dimensions in inches, distance in miles.

11. Does freight class affect LTL pricing?

Yes, higher freight classes typically result in higher costs.

12. Is parcel shipping cheaper than LTL?

It depends on shipment size, weight, and distance.

13. Why is density important?

Higher density shipments generally cost less in LTL shipping.

14. Can I calculate multiple pallets?

Yes, combine total weight and dimensions for accurate results.

15. Does the tool store my data?

No, calculations are instant and reset when refreshed.

Final Thoughts

Our Online Freight Calculator is designed to simplify freight pricing for businesses and individuals. Whether you're shipping pallets across the country or sending small packages locally, this tool provides fast, transparent, and practical cost estimates.

By understanding shipment type, freight class, dimensional weight, and accessorial fees, you gain full control over your logistics planning.

Try the freight calculator today and make smarter shipping decisions with confidence.

Leave a Comment