Calculate freight shipping costs
Save time and compare rate quotes from multiple LTL carriers for LTL shipments all in one place.
The cost of freight shipping is affected by:
Rate quotes are estimations. Be as accurate as possible when creating your shipping label or Bill of Lading.
Inaccurate data can cause a shipment to be re-rated and incur fees.
Check for last-minute savings on your FedEx Express® Freight shipping.
We have programs that work like discounted hotel-booking websites, allowing you to fill empty trailers and airplanes at discounted rates. See if your shipment is eligible.
Why create a domestic LTL freight label online?
Because your time is valuable. When you create a label online, you can get scan-and-go pickups, less dock congestion and fewer invoice errors resulting from messy handwriting. And you won’t need a paper Bill of Lading. Learn more about how creating freight shipping labels online can benefit your bottom line.
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How your shipment dimensions and weight,
including packaging, affect your freight costs
How your shipment dimensions and weight, including packaging, affect your freight costs
The dimensions and weight of your shipment are used to calculate density. Density is the relationship between how much room an item takes up and its weight. For example, a square inch of lead is much denser and thus heavier than a square inch of cork.
The density of your shipment is used to find your freight classification.
In general, as you estimate freight costs, the higher the density of your shipment, the less it costs to ship.
The dimensions and weight of your shipment are used to calculate density. Density is the relationship between how much room an item takes up and its weight. For example, a square inch of lead is much denser and thus heavier than a square inch of cork.
The density of your shipment is used to find your freight classification. In general, as you estimate freight costs, the higher the density of your shipment, the less it costs to ship.
Our Freight Class Calculator tool will automatically calculate your density when you enter your shipment length, width, height and weight.
How to calculate freight density:
Step 1
Measure the length, width and height of the shipment in inches. Measure to the farthest points, including pallets, skids or other packaging. You’ll need to measure each pallet if you are shipping more than one.
Measure the length, width and height of the shipment in inches. Measure to the farthest points, including pallets, skids or other packaging. You’ll need to measure each pallet if you are shipping more than one.
Step 2
Multiply the three measurements (length, width and height).
The result is the total cubic inches of the shipment. If you have multiple pallets, multiply the length, width and height of each.
Add the results for each pallet together to get the total
cubic inches.
Multiply the three measurements (length, width and height). The result is the total cubic inches of the shipment. If you have multiple pallets, multiply the length, width and height of each. Add the results for each pallet together to get the total cubic inches.
Step 3
Divide the total cubic inches by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot). The answer is the cubic feet of the shipment.
Divide the total cubic inches by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot). The answer is the cubic feet of
the shipment.
Step 4
Divide the weight (in pounds) of the shipment by the total cubic feet. The result is the density (in pounds per cubic foot). For multiple pallets, add the weight of each pallet together before dividing by the total cubic feet of the shipment. You’ll need to round fractions to the nearest full cubic foot.
Divide the weight (in pounds) of the shipment by the total cubic feet. The result is the density (in pounds per cubic foot). For multiple pallets, add the weight of each pallet together before dividing by the total cubic feet of the shipment. You’ll need
to round fractions to the nearest
full cubic foot.
How your freight classification
affects your freight costs
How your freight classification affects your freight costs
Your freight classification is a standardized number that shows how difficult
your commodity is to ship and how much liability is involved in shipping.
Your freight classification is a standardized number that shows how difficult your commodity is to ship and how much liability is involved in shipping.
Your freight class is determined by:
Your freight class is
determined by:
What you're shipping
How dense it is (calculated by its demensions and weight)
The value of the item
If the item requires special loading equipment or precautions
How an item fits inside the trailer with other freight
Use the FedEx LTL Freight Classification Tool to find your freight class.
Generally, the higher the density of your product, the lower the classification (typically 50–85).
More fragile and/or less dense products usually have higher classifications (typically 125–500).
The lower the classification, the less it costs to ship.
Generally, the higher the density of your product, the lower the classification
(typically 50–85). More fragile
and/or less dense products usually have higher classifications
(typically 125–500). The lower the classification, the less it costs to ship.
Get flat-rate freight shipping with no classification**
The FedEx Freight® box is an easy way to send shipments under 1,200 lbs. There’s no need to classify your shipments, so it’s a great way to ship multiple items together. You also get predictable pricing, easy packing and
added security.
Get flat-rate freight shipping with no classification**
The FedEx Freight® box is an easy way to send shipments under 1,200 lbs. There’s no need to classify your shipments, so it’s a great way to ship multiple items together. You also get predictable pricing, easy packing and
added security.
How the shipping service you choose
affects your freight costs
How the shipping service you choose affects your freight costs
Typically, the faster you ship your freight, the more it costs.
For economical LTL freight shipping domestically and throughout North America, choose from:
For domestic U.S. express shipping, choose from:
For domestic U.S. express shipping,
choose from:
For international express shipping, choose from:
For international express shipping,
choose from:
How the origin and destination of your shipment affects your freight costs
It costs more to ship longer distances. When you estimate freight costs for international shipments, remember there may be a change in currency and added costs in duties and taxes.
How surcharges affect your
freight costs
When you're determining freight rates, remember there are surcharges for special circumstances, handling needs and delivery and pickup conditions. Surcharges are different for LTL and express shipments. Learn more about these surcharges.
How surcharges affect your
freight costs
When you're determining freight rates, remember there are surcharges for special circumstances, handling needs and delivery and pickup conditions. Surcharges are different for LTL and express shipments. Learn more about these surcharges.
Fuel surcharges also affect your LTL freight rates.
The U.S. Department of Energy sets the weekly national average diesel fuel price each Monday. That average price is used to determine the fuel surcharges and is standard for all freight carriers. For more information, download the FXF 100 Series Rules tariff and see item 570.
Fuel surcharges also affect your LTL freight rates
The U.S. Department of Energy sets the weekly national average diesel fuel price each Monday. That average price is used to determine the fuel surcharges and is standard for all freight carriers. For more information, download the FXF 100 Series Rules tariff and see item 570.
How to get discounts and other tips
to save on freight shipping costs
How to get discounts and other tips to save on freight shipping costs
The simplest way to save on freight shipping is to open an account with FedEx. You can save up to 70% off.*
Combine shipments using the FedEx Freight box. Because you don’t have to classify your shipments, you can combine different commodities in one box. Plus, you get predictable flat rates and more security.
Check in with your freight sales representative at least once a year to negotiate your freight rates. You may be able to get a better volume discount. And if you’re running a dock computer with shipping software, make sure you update it as well. Your programs could be quoting you old pricing.
Ensure your team is paying attention to whether or not the destination has a dock. Without a dock, you’ll need to request a liftgate for the delivery. And not having a liftgate when you need one delays your delivery and can cause extra fees.
Check out the FedEx API Integration Program. With the program, you can automate freight functions and get auto-populated Bills of Lading. It can also do things like automatically email freight tracking information to customers, which cuts down on hundreds of routine customer service calls.
You can also be more efficient by creating domestic freight shipping labels online instead of using a Bill of Lading. You can get quicker, scan-and-go pickups, and since your shipment’s info is digitally transmitted through our system, drivers and billers don’t always have to interpret handwriting on manual forms. This helps reduce keying errors and delivery confusion.
Do you use websites to get the best last-minute rates on hotels and airline tickets? We have similar programs that can give you last minute savings on shipping. See if your shipment is eligible.
For shipments:
- Under 250 lbs. use FedEx® Great Rates Hotline or call 1.877.463.7408, Monday–Friday,
8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. - Over 250 lbs. use FedEx MyQuote.
Have your FedEx account number, shipment origin and destination countries, weight and dimensions ready before heading online or calling.
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When to consider multiweight instead of freight
Multiweight is rating logic that automatically compares the total cost of sending multiple shipments versus treating all the packages as a single shipment. Then it automatically applies the lower price. If the costs of multiweight and freight are equal, you might prefer multiweight if you don’t want to palletize or set aside space to stage shipments. It’s also a good choice if your destination doesn’t have a lift-gate or dock. Find out if multiweight is right for you.
Need help with freight shipping but don't have a sales representative?
Fill out a request form and a FedEx sales consultant will call you in 1–2 business days.
Fill out a request form and a FedEx sales consultant will call you in
1–2 business days.
**Applies to FXF PZONE and FXF EZONE rate customers only. All services are subject to the terms and conditions of the FedEx Freight 100 Rules Tariff. The discount applies to eligible FedEx Freight Priority and FedEx Freight Economy shipments within the contiguous U.S., shipments between the U.S. and Canada, and also includes shipments to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico for the U.S. portion of the move. FedEx shipping discounts are off standard list rates and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Discounts are exclusive of any FedEx surcharges, premiums, minimums, accessorial charges or special handling fees. Customers with current pricing and/or non-U.S., non-Canada-based billing addresses are not eligible for the discount.
**Flat rates based on zone pricing. Find rates and zone information. Rates are subject to the General Rate Increase (GRI), and all accessorial charges in the FedEx Freight 100 Rules Tariff will apply. Exception: Item 404 (absolute minimum charge) will not apply as the FedEx Freight box is not discountable. Pricing is subject to the standard FedEx Freight 100 fuel surcharge. Use of the FedEx Freight box will supersede any negotiated pricing. Maximum liability is $7.50 per lb. Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico are not covered by FedEx Freight box rates. Hazardous materials are prohibited. Maximum weight allowed for each freight box is 1,200 lbs.