LTL vs FTL Calculator
The pallet count where a full truck gets cheaper.
Compare LTL cost per pallet against a flat FTL rate and find the break-even pallet count where booking the whole trailer costs less.
26 standard pallets in a 53ft dry van, single-stacked.
Cheaper option
LTL
by $300.00
Cost is not the whole comparison. LTL freight is transloaded at terminals, so handling damage is materially more likely; for fragile goods the sensible switch point is earlier than the arithmetic.
How the LTL vs FTL Calculator works
LTL is priced per pallet, so it scales with what you ship. FTL is a flat rate for the trailer whether you fill it or not. That means there is always a crossover, and shippers routinely sit a pallet or two past it, paying LTL prices for what a dedicated truck would have carried for less, with fewer handling touches and less damage.
Also known as: less than truckload vs full truckload · partial vs full truckload calculator
Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price, check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.
Frequently asked questions
At how many pallets should I switch from LTL to FTL?
Divide the flat FTL rate by the LTL rate per pallet and round up. At $1,200 for a truck and $150 a pallet the crossover is 8 pallets: at 8 LTL still wins, from 9 the truck is cheaper. Typical crossovers land between six and twelve.
What is the difference between LTL and FTL?
LTL shares a trailer with other shippers' freight, so it is transloaded at terminals along the way. FTL is your freight alone, loaded once and unloaded once. Fewer touches means less damage and usually faster transit, which is worth something the rate comparison does not show.
Does the break-even include damage and transit time?
No, and that is the limit of a pure cost comparison. LTL handling damage rates are materially higher because freight is moved between trailers several times. If your product is fragile, the sensible switch point is earlier than the arithmetic suggests.
What about volume or partial truckload?
Volume LTL sits between the two: a negotiated rate for six or more pallets that skips the class-based tariff. It often beats both at the crossover, so if your shipments cluster around the break-even point it is worth quoting as a third option.