“How much will this cost to ship” is usually the first question, before anyone’s picked a mode or a carrier. This gives a quick, realistic number from a few basic inputs.
Why the minimum charge matters
Every carrier has a floor. A 50 lb shipment at $28 per CWT works out to $14 on paper, but no carrier moves freight for $14, hence the minimum charge. This calculator applies whichever is higher, the calculated linehaul or your minimum, so small shipments don’t show a number nobody would actually quote you.
Fuel surcharge is a percentage, not a flat fee
Carriers set fuel surcharge as a percentage on top of the linehaul charge, and that percentage moves with diesel prices, sometimes weekly. A rate that looked competitive last month can cost noticeably more this month purely from the fuel surcharge shifting, with the base rate unchanged.
If you’re shipping LTL specifically and want the carrier discount mechanics modeled too, use the more detailed LTL freight calculator. For a specific mode, check the air freight cost calculator or ocean freight cost calculator.