OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
Freight Cost Calculator
LTL Pallet Shipping Cost and Freight Density
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How the Freight Cost Calculator works
This freight cost calculator estimates what an LTL (less than truckload) pallet shipment costs from its weight and your carrier's rate per hundredweight, then adds the minimum charge, fuel surcharge and extras. It also gives the freight density carriers use to set the freight class.
How the freight cost calculator works
LTL carriers usually price by the hundredweight (cwt), meaning per 100 lb. The formula is linehaul = weight ÷ 100 × rate, raised to the minimum charge if it falls below it. The fuel surcharge is a percentage of the linehaul, and fixed extras such as a liftgate or residential delivery are added on top. Density is weight ÷ volume, with volume in cubic feet = length × width × height ÷ 1,728.
First example. One 48 × 40 × 60 in pallet weighing 1,200 lb at $25 per cwt costs 12 × 25 = $300 linehaul. A 30% fuel surcharge adds $90, for $390 in total, or $0.325 per lb. The pallet is 66.67 ft³, so its density is 18 lb/ft³.
Second example. Two 120 × 100 × 150 cm pallets weighing 900 kg in total at 40 per 100 kg cost 360 linehaul, plus 72 at a 20% fuel surcharge and 75 in extras: 507, or 253.50 per pallet. Their 3.6 m³ gives a density of 250 kg/m³.
How many pounds per cubic foot is dense freight? Above about 15 lb/ft³ freight usually falls in the cheaper classes; light, bulky freight under 6 lb/ft³ costs much more per pound. Each carrier publishes its own density bands, so check the rate sheet, not a general list.
Density in lb/ft³ of a 48 × 40 in pallet by height and shipment weight
| Height | Volume | 500 lb | 1,000 lb | 1,500 lb | 2,000 lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in | 26.7 ft³ | 18.8 | 37.5 | 56.3 | 75 |
| 26 in | 28.9 ft³ | 17.3 | 34.6 | 51.9 | 69.2 |
| 28 in | 31.1 ft³ | 16.1 | 32.1 | 48.2 | 64.3 |
| 30 in | 33.3 ft³ | 15 | 30 | 45 | 60 |
| 32 in | 35.6 ft³ | 14.1 | 28.1 | 42.2 | 56.3 |
| 34 in | 37.8 ft³ | 13.2 | 26.5 | 39.7 | 52.9 |
| 36 in | 40 ft³ | 12.5 | 25 | 37.5 | 50 |
| 38 in | 42.2 ft³ | 11.8 | 23.7 | 35.5 | 47.4 |
| 40 in | 44.4 ft³ | 11.3 | 22.5 | 33.8 | 45 |
| 42 in | 46.7 ft³ | 10.7 | 21.4 | 32.1 | 42.9 |
| 44 in | 48.9 ft³ | 10.2 | 20.5 | 30.7 | 40.9 |
| 46 in | 51.1 ft³ | 9.8 | 19.6 | 29.3 | 39.1 |
| 48 in | 53.3 ft³ | 9.4 | 18.8 | 28.1 | 37.5 |
| 50 in | 55.6 ft³ | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 |
| 52 in | 57.8 ft³ | 8.7 | 17.3 | 26 | 34.6 |
| 54 in | 60 ft³ | 8.3 | 16.7 | 25 | 33.3 |
| 56 in | 62.2 ft³ | 8 | 16.1 | 24.1 | 32.1 |
| 58 in | 64.4 ft³ | 7.8 | 15.5 | 23.3 | 31 |
| 60 in | 66.7 ft³ | 7.5 | 15 | 22.5 | 30 |
| 62 in | 68.9 ft³ | 7.3 | 14.5 | 21.8 | 29 |
| 64 in | 71.1 ft³ | 7 | 14.1 | 21.1 | 28.1 |
| 66 in | 73.3 ft³ | 6.8 | 13.6 | 20.5 | 27.3 |
| 68 in | 75.6 ft³ | 6.6 | 13.2 | 19.9 | 26.5 |
| 70 in | 77.8 ft³ | 6.4 | 12.9 | 19.3 | 25.7 |
| 72 in | 80 ft³ | 6.3 | 12.5 | 18.8 | 25 |
FAQ
What is a hundredweight in freight pricing?
In US freight a hundredweight (cwt) is 100 lb. A rate of $25 per cwt means each 100 lb of the shipment costs $25 before minimums and surcharges, so a 1,200 lb pallet is 12 cwt and costs $300.
Why does freight density matter?
Carriers fill trailers by both weight and space. Light, bulky pallets use space without paying for it, so low-density freight goes into higher freight classes and higher rates. Density is the main input carriers use to set the class.
How is the fuel surcharge worked out?
It is a percentage of the linehaul charge, set by the carrier and usually updated weekly against the national diesel price. Look up the current figure on your carrier's site and enter it here, as it changes too often to fix.
What are accessorial charges?
They are fixed fees for extra services: a liftgate for a site without a dock, residential or limited access delivery, inside delivery, appointments or storage. Add their total in the extra charges box so the estimate matches your quote.
Why is my freight quote higher than this estimate?
Carriers may apply discounts off a high base tariff, reweigh or remeasure pallets, charge for overlength freight, or add charges for stacking limits. Use the rate from your own quote or contract to get the closest estimate.
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