Weight-based LTL arithmetic
Freight 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.
Weight alone cannot produce a defensible freight price. For LTL, convert pounds to hundredweight and multiply by the current class-specific lane rate, then apply the shipment minimum, fuel programme and accessorials. In the page's editable 2,000-pound example, 20 CWT × an illustrative entered $32 rate plus 28% fuel produces about $820 before added services; $32 is not a published market rate.
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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.
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Calculated total from entered terms
$819- 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.
What changes the result?
A useful calculation starts with the physical scope and the written commercial terms. These are the factors to make explicit:
- Final packaged weight and dimensions
- Commodity, NMFC item and class
- Current lane-specific CWT rate
- Shipment minimum and fuel treatment
- Pickup, delivery and event charges
Use one scope for every quote
Give each business the same information and ask it to resolve the same boundaries. That makes the totals more comparable and exposes work left as an allowance or exclusion.
- Weigh the completed handling unit
- Measure its maximum packaged dimensions
- Use the current class-specific rate
- Save the tariff, quote and effective terms
Convert pounds to CWT before applying the rate
Divide pounds by 100 to calculate hundredweight. A 2,000-pound shipment is 20 CWT; at the editable example rate of $32 per CWT, calculated linehaul is $640 before the minimum, fuel and services.
The worksheet compares that result with the entered minimum and uses the higher amount. Replace the example rate and minimum with the exact class-specific terms for the shipment's lane and effective date.
Weight and class cannot be separated from packaged density
The same 2,000 pounds can occupy one compact pallet or several low-density handling units. The calculator uses final packaged dimensions to calculate density and shows NMFTA's current density-class screen.
That screen is not a classification ruling. Commodity item, subprovision, packaging, handling, stowability, liability and carrier rules can change the applicable class and rate.
Add fuel and accessorials once
EIA publishes diesel-price data but does not set a universal surcharge. Use the governing carrier or contract programme and do not add fuel to an all-in rate.
Enter required liftgate, limited-access, residential, appointment, inside, detention or other charges under the written terms. Preserve the quote or rate confirmation so the calculated worksheet can be reconciled with the invoice.
Questions people ask
How is freight shipping cost calculated by weight?
For a weight-based LTL rate, divide pounds by 100, multiply CWT by the current class-specific rate, apply the minimum if higher, then add fuel and applicable services.
How much does it cost to ship 2,000 pounds of freight?
There is no universal price. The editable example totals about $820 using a hypothetical $32-per-CWT rate and 28% fuel with no extra services; replace every commercial input with current terms.
Does a heavier shipment always cost more?
Not in a simple straight line. Weight breaks, shipment minimums, density, class, lane, fuel and services can change the applicable rate and total.
Does this page provide a live freight quote?
No. It calculates from the weight, dimensions, rate, minimum, fuel and charges entered by the visitor.
Method and sources
The model is a planning tool, not a quotation. These are the published sources used for this page; read the full assumptions before relying on a range. Source review: 20 September 2026.
- Old Dominion LTL pricing guide
Carrier explanation of weight, dimensions, class, lane, fuel and accessorial inputs; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- NMFTA 13-tier density scale
Current density breaks and classes under Docket 2025-1; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- US EIA diesel fuel surcharges
Official weekly diesel-price data boundary and confirmation that EIA does not set a universal surcharge formula; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Old Dominion accessorial-charge guide
Carrier definitions and examples for liftgate, non-commercial, appointment, detention, inside and redelivery services; reviewed 14 September 2026.