NMFTA's density-first structure became effective July 19, 2025 for applicable commodities.
Check sourceTransparent US freight cost worksheet
LTL Freight Calculator & Truckload Shipping Cost
Use this LTL shipping calculator or truckload worksheet with your rate, dimensions, minimum charge, fuel treatment and accessorials. No signup required.
Reproducible freight arithmetic
How does the freight calculator work?
For LTL, the worksheet multiplies shipment CWT by the class-specific rate you enter, applies the entered minimum when higher, then adds fuel and accessorials once. For truckload, it multiplies loaded miles by your entered per-mile rate before the same additions. It does not invent a live market rate.
Free result · no signup
Calculate an LTL or truckload total
Enter the commercial rate you actually have. For LTL, the worksheet also calculates packaged density and screens it against the current 13-tier NMFTA scale.
Truck Freight Calculator · truckfreightcalculator.com
Calculated total from entered terms
$492Packaged shipment volume1 × 48 × 40 × 48 in = 53.3 ft³
Packaged density1,200 lb ÷ 53.3 ft³ = 22.50 lb/ft³
2025 NMFTA density-class screenClass 65
Entered class for this rateClass 65
Class-specific linehaul calculation12.0 CWT × $32 = $384
Entered minimum charge$250; applied linehaul $384
Fuel treatment28.0% of linehaul = $108
Origin accessorials entered$0
Destination accessorials entered$0
Other shipment charges entered$0
Calculated total from entered terms$492
- Evidence and operating rules reviewed 14 September 2026; the calculator does not supply a live market rate.
- For LTL, the density class is a screen under the current 13-tier NMFTA scale. The exact NMFC item, subprovision, commodity characteristics, packaging and applicable tariff or contract control the class and charge.
- EIA publishes diesel-price data but does not set a universal freight fuel surcharge. Use the carrier or contract formula and its effective date.
- This worksheet is not a quote, booking, bill of lading, classification ruling or promise of capacity, transit time or liability coverage.
Evidence reviewed 14 September 2026
The current ranges behind the calculator
The classification entries reproduce NMFTA's current density screen for commodities without unusual handling, stowability or liability concerns. Carrier tariff examples show why live commercial amounts must be entered rather than presented as universal prices.
Density screen only; verify the commodity and governing rules.
Check sourceDensity screen only; verify the commodity and governing rules.
Check sourceDensity screen only; verify the commodity and governing rules.
Check sourceDensity screen only; verify the commodity and governing rules.
Check sourceDensity screen only; verify the commodity and governing rules.
Check sourceDensity screen only; verify the commodity and governing rules.
Check sourceDensity screen only; verify the commodity and governing rules.
Check sourceDensity screen only; verify the commodity and governing rules.
Check sourceDensity screen only; verify the commodity and governing rules.
Check sourceDensity screen only; verify the commodity and governing rules.
Check sourceNMFTA added this break within the expanded scale.
Check sourceNMFTA added this break within the expanded scale.
Check sourceHighest-density break in the current screen.
Check sourceEIA publishes diesel-price data; each company or contract sets its own surcharge method.
Check sourceCarrier examples; charges and definitions depend on the governing tariff or agreement.
Check sourceSearch by legal name, USDOT or MC number and then check current authority and insurance records.
Check sourceTransparent method
What the estimate does—and does not—calculate
The calculator never invents a national market rate. The LTL path calculates packaged cubic feet and density, screens density against NMFTA's current 13-tier scale, then applies the user's class-specific CWT rate or entered minimum. The truckload path multiplies entered loaded miles by the entered per-mile rate. Both paths add fuel only when it is separate and keep origin, destination and other charges visible.
Read the model and sourcesPlan the full scope
Cost and decision guides
Each page owns one search intent and leads back to the same transparent estimator.
Browse the complete guide library01 · Less than truckload
LTL Freight Cost Calculator: Class, Fuel & Accessorials
Estimate LTL freight from packaged density, your class-specific CWT rate, minimum charge, fuel treatment and separate pickup or delivery fees.
Read guide02 · Full truckloadTruckload Shipping Calculator: FTL Cost per Mile
Calculate full-truckload linehaul from loaded miles and an entered per-mile rate, then keep fuel, stops and other services separate.
Read guide03 · ClassificationFreight Class and Density Calculator
Calculate packaged pounds per cubic foot and screen the result against NMFTA's current 13-tier density scale.
Read guide04 · Fuel componentFreight Fuel Surcharge Calculator
Apply an entered fuel percentage to the linehaul base only when the governing program says fuel is separate.
Read guide05 · Shipment measurementsPallet Density and Dimensional Weight Calculator Guide
Measure palletized freight correctly and understand why LTL density is not the same calculation as a parcel dimensional-weight divisor.
Read guide06 · Rate breakdownFreight Shipping Cost Components
Separate linehaul, minimums, fuel and service charges so competing LTL or truckload offers use the same scope.
Read guide07 · Freight priceHow Much Does Freight Shipping Cost?
Build a checkable freight budget without relying on a national average that ignores lane, mode, class and service.
Read guide08 · Mode decisionLTL vs FTL Shipping: Cost and Service Differences
Compare shared-network LTL with truckload service using shipment size, handling, timing and written rate terms.
Read guide09 · Added servicesFreight Accessorial Charges: LTL and Truckload Checklist
Identify services outside standard linehaul before pickup and understand which event-based charges can appear later.
Read guide10 · Pickup and deliveryLiftgate and Residential Freight Charges
Decide whether pickup or delivery needs a liftgate, non-commercial service, appointment or inside handling before requesting a rate.
Read guide11 · Business verificationFreight Broker vs Carrier vs Freight Forwarder
Understand who arranges, transports or assumes responsibility for freight and verify the exact legal entity before tender.
Read guide12 · Shipment recordFreight Bill of Lading and Claims Checklist
Record the commodity, handling units, measurements, classification, parties and special instructions required to support rating and later claims.
Read guide13 · Rate arithmeticFreight Shipping Cost per Mile: LTL vs FTL
Calculate a per-mile freight comparison without applying a national truckload average to an LTL shipment or an incomplete rate.
Read guide14 · Single-pallet LTLHow Much Does It Cost to Ship One Pallet?
Build a one-pallet LTL total from packaged weight, dimensions, classification, rate, minimum, fuel and pickup or delivery services.
Read guide15 · Refrigerated truckloadReefer Freight Cost per Mile: Build a Complete Rate
Model a refrigerated truckload from the entered linehaul, fuel and temperature-control terms without inventing a national live reefer rate.
Read guide16 · Open-deck truckloadFlatbed Freight Cost per Mile: Rate and Securement Worksheet
Calculate an open-deck truckload from an entered lane rate, then add only the agreed fuel, tarping, securement, permit and event charges.
Read guide17 · Dry-van truckloadDry Van Freight Cost per Mile: Linehaul and Fuel Worksheet
Calculate a dry-van truckload from an entered lane rate, then apply fuel and accessorial terms exactly once.
Read guide18 · LTL rate arithmeticHow to Calculate LTL Freight Rates: CWT, Minimum, Fuel and Fees
Work from final packaged measurements and a current class-specific rate to calculate linehaul, minimum, fuel and accessorials once.
Read guide19 · Weight-based LTL arithmeticFreight Shipping Cost by Weight: CWT Calculator Guide
Calculate LTL freight from packaged pounds, a class-specific CWT rate, minimum, fuel and accessorials without inventing a market rate.
Read guideEvidence register
Sources stay attached to the model.
- NMFTA 13-tier density scaleCurrent density breaks and classes under Docket 2025-1; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- NMFTA 2025 classification changesOfficial July 19, 2025 effective date and density-first classification context; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- US EIA diesel fuel surchargesOfficial weekly diesel-price data boundary and confirmation that EIA does not set a universal surcharge formula; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Old Dominion LTL pricing guideCarrier explanation of weight, dimensions, class, lane, fuel and accessorial inputs; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Old Dominion accessorial-charge guideCarrier definitions and examples for liftgate, non-commercial, appointment, detention, inside and redelivery services; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Old Dominion current tariff registerCurrent carrier rules, tariff and non-binding accessorial-reference boundary; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- FMCSA carrier, broker and forwarder definitionsOfficial distinction between transport, arranging transport and assuming shipment responsibility; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- FMCSA company safety recordsOfficial free Company Snapshot and safety-record verification path; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- FMCSA insurance filing requirementsCurrent authority, insurance and 2026 broker or freight-forwarder financial-responsibility context; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- NMFTA bill-of-lading rule updateCurrent printed, digital and electronic bill-of-lading requirements and commodity-description fields; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- NMFTA Uniform Straight Bill of Lading termsOfficial packaging, declared-value and claims-term context; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- FedEx freight packing guidanceCarrier handling-unit, packaging and liftgate-size context; reviewed 14 September 2026.