.cwt-calculator-container {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
color: #333;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.calc-box {
background: #f9f9f9;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 25px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
margin-bottom: 30px;
}
.calc-row {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
gap: 20px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.calc-col {
flex: 1;
min-width: 250px;
}
.calc-label {
display: block;
font-weight: 600;
margin-bottom: 8px;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.calc-input {
width: 100%;
padding: 12px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.calc-input:focus {
border-color: #0073aa;
outline: none;
box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(0,115,170,0.2);
}
.calc-btn {
background-color: #0073aa;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 14px 24px;
font-size: 16px;
font-weight: 600;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
width: 100%;
transition: background-color 0.2s;
}
.calc-btn:hover {
background-color: #005177;
}
.calc-result {
margin-top: 25px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #fff;
border-left: 5px solid #0073aa;
border-top: 1px solid #eee;
border-right: 1px solid #eee;
border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
display: none;
}
.result-header {
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #2c3e50;
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.result-value {
font-size: 32px;
font-weight: 700;
color: #0073aa;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.result-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(150px, 1fr));
gap: 15px;
margin-top: 15px;
border-top: 1px solid #eee;
padding-top: 15px;
}
.result-item {
font-size: 14px;
}
.result-item strong {
display: block;
color: #555;
margin-bottom: 4px;
}
.error-msg {
color: #dc3232;
margin-top: 10px;
display: none;
}
h2 { margin-top: 40px; font-size: 24px; color: #23282d; }
h3 { font-size: 20px; color: #23282d; margin-top: 30px; }
p, li { font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; }
ul { margin-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }
code { background: #f0f0f1; padding: 2px 5px; border-radius: 3px; font-family: monospace; }
.info-box { background: #e5f5fa; padding: 15px; border-radius: 4px; margin-bottom: 20px; border-left: 4px solid #0073aa; }
function calculateCWT() {
var weightInput = document.getElementById('cwtTotalWeight');
var rateInput = document.getElementById('cwtRate');
var errorDiv = document.getElementById('cwtError');
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('cwtResult');
// Parse inputs
var weightLbs = parseFloat(weightInput.value);
var ratePerCwt = parseFloat(rateInput.value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(weightLbs) || isNaN(ratePerCwt) || weightLbs < 0 || ratePerCwt < 0) {
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
resultDiv.style.display = 'none';
return;
}
errorDiv.style.display = 'none';
// Calculations
// 1 CWT = 100 lbs (Standard US Hundredweight)
var totalCwtUnits = weightLbs / 100;
var totalCost = totalCwtUnits * ratePerCwt;
var pricePerLb = ratePerCwt / 100;
// Update DOM
document.getElementById('totalCostDisplay').innerText = '$' + totalCost.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('totalCwtDisplay').innerText = totalCwtUnits.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + ' cwt';
document.getElementById('pricePerLbDisplay').innerText = '$' + pricePerLb.toFixed(4) + ' / lb';
document.getElementById('inputWeightDisplay').innerText = weightLbs.toLocaleString('en-US') + ' lbs';
document.getElementById('rateAppliedDisplay').innerText = '$' + ratePerCwt.toFixed(2) + ' / cwt';
resultDiv.style.display = 'block';
}
CWT Freight & Material Cost Calculator
Calculate total shipping or material costs based on weight and Hundredweight (CWT) rate.
Please enter valid positive numbers for both weight and rate.
Total Estimated Cost
$0.00
Total Weight (CWT)
0.00 cwt
Price Per Pound
$0.00 / lb
Input Weight
0 lbs
Rate Applied
$0.00 / cwt
What is a CWT Rate?
CWT stands for "Centum Weight" or "Hundredweight." It is a standard unit of weight used extensively in the freight shipping industry (LTL/Less-Than-Truckload), commodity trading (such as steel and grain), and livestock pricing.
In the United States, one Hundredweight (CWT) is equal to 100 pounds. This is also known as the "short hundredweight."
Why use CWT? Pricing per 100 pounds allows carriers and suppliers to standardize pricing for shipments that are too heavy to price per pound (like parcel) but not large enough for a flat truckload fee.
How to Calculate CWT Costs
To calculate the total cost of a shipment or material purchase based on a CWT rate, you need to convert the total weight into hundredweight units and then multiply by the rate.
The CWT Formula
The calculation involves two simple steps:
- Determine CWT Units: Divide the total weight in pounds by 100.
CWT Units = Total Weight (lbs) / 100 - Calculate Cost: Multiply the CWT Units by the Rate per CWT.
Total Cost = CWT Units × Rate per CWT
Calculation Example
Let's say you are shipping a pallet of steel parts weighing 2,500 lbs and the carrier has quoted you a rate of $14.50 per CWT.
- Step 1: 2,500 lbs / 100 = 25 CWT
- Step 2: 25 CWT × $14.50 = $362.50
The total cost for this shipment would be $362.50.
Converting CWT to Price Per Pound
Sometimes it is helpful to understand the cost per pound to compare it with parcel shipping rates or raw material costs.
To convert a CWT rate to a per-pound rate, simply divide the CWT rate by 100.
- If the CWT Rate is $20.00:
- $20.00 / 100 = $0.20 per pound.
Common Applications of CWT Pricing
You will frequently encounter CWT rates in the following sectors:
- LTL Freight: Carriers use CWT based on freight class and density.
- Steel & Metals: Structural steel, rebar, and scrap metal are often priced per hundredweight.
- Agriculture: Livestock (cattle, hogs) and grains are traded using CWT metrics.