body {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
max-width: 1200px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
}
.calculator-container {
background: #f8f9fa;
border: 1px solid #e9ecef;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 30px;
margin-bottom: 40px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.calc-header {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 25px;
}
.calc-header h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.form-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
}
.form-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.form-group label {
display: block;
font-weight: 600;
margin-bottom: 5px;
color: #495057;
}
.form-group input, .form-group select {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ced4da;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.full-width {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
}
.section-title {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
font-size: 1.1em;
font-weight: bold;
color: #0056b3;
margin-top: 10px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #e9ecef;
padding-bottom: 5px;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.btn-calculate {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
background-color: #007bff;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 15px;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.2s;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.btn-calculate:hover {
background-color: #0056b3;
}
#result-area {
margin-top: 30px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #fff;
border: 1px solid #dee2e6;
border-radius: 4px;
display: none;
}
.result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
padding: 10px 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
}
.result-row:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
font-weight: bold;
font-size: 1.2em;
color: #28a745;
margin-top: 10px;
padding-top: 20px;
border-top: 2px solid #ddd;
}
.article-content {
margin-top: 50px;
background: #fff;
padding: 20px;
}
.article-content h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
border-bottom: 2px solid #007bff;
padding-bottom: 10px;
margin-top: 30px;
}
.article-content h3 {
color: #495057;
margin-top: 25px;
}
.article-content ul {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.article-content li {
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
@media (max-width: 768px) {
.form-grid {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}
function calculateFreight() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var mode = document.getElementById("transportMode").value;
var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossWeight").value);
var distance = parseFloat(document.getElementById("distance").value);
var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dimLength").value);
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dimWidth").value);
var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dimHeight").value);
var fuelPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById("fuelSurcharge").value);
var extras = parseFloat(document.getElementById("insuranceCost").value);
// 2. Validation
if (isNaN(weight) || isNaN(distance) || isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(height)) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers for weight, distance, and dimensions.");
return;
}
// 3. Constants & Logic Setup
// Divisors for Volumetric Weight:
// Air: 6000 (standard IATA)
// Road: 3000 (common density standard)
// Ocean: 1000 (1 CBM = 1000kg generally)
var dimFactor = 6000;
var baseRatePerKg = 0;
var baseRatePerKm = 0;
var flatFee = 0;
if (mode === "air") {
dimFactor = 6000;
baseRatePerKg = 4.50; // High rate per kg
baseRatePerKm = 0.50;
flatFee = 50;
} else if (mode === "road") {
dimFactor = 3000;
baseRatePerKg = 1.20;
baseRatePerKm = 1.50; // Higher distance cost for trucks
flatFee = 100;
} else if (mode === "ocean") {
dimFactor = 1000; // 1:1 ratio typically
baseRatePerKg = 0.30; // Very low rate per kg
baseRatePerKm = 0.10;
flatFee = 250; // Port fees etc
}
// 4. Volume Calculation (cm to meters)
var volumeCbm = (length * width * height) / 1000000;
// 5. Volumetric Weight Calculation
// Volumetric Weight (kg) = (L x W x H in cm) / Dim Factor
var volumetricWeight = (length * width * height) / dimFactor;
// 6. Chargeable Weight Calculation (Higher of Gross vs Volumetric)
var chargeableWeight = Math.max(weight, volumetricWeight);
// 7. Cost Estimation Logic
// Formula: (Chargeable Weight * Rate/Kg) + (Distance * Rate/Km logic) + Flat Fee
// Note: This is a simplified simulation model
var baseFreightCost = (chargeableWeight * baseRatePerKg) + (distance * baseRatePerKm * 0.1) + flatFee;
// Calculate Fuel Surcharge
var fuelCost = baseFreightCost * (fuelPercent / 100);
if (isNaN(extras)) extras = 0;
var totalCost = baseFreightCost + fuelCost + extras;
// 8. Display Results
document.getElementById("resVolume").innerText = volumeCbm.toFixed(3) + " m³";
document.getElementById("resVolWeight").innerText = volumetricWeight.toFixed(2) + " kg";
document.getElementById("resChargeableWeight").innerText = chargeableWeight.toFixed(2) + " kg";
document.getElementById("resBaseRate").innerText = "$" + baseFreightCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("resFuel").innerText = "$" + fuelCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("resExtras").innerText = "$" + extras.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("resTotal").innerText = "$" + totalCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("result-area").style.display = "block";
}
Understanding Freight Rate Calculator Software
In the complex world of logistics, determining the final cost of shipping is rarely as simple as weighing a box. Freight rate calculator software serves as the backbone for shippers, freight forwarders, and logistics managers to estimate costs accurately across different modes of transport. Whether moving goods via air, ocean, or road, these tools utilize specific algorithms to account for weight, volume, distance, and density.
What is Chargeable Weight?
One of the most critical concepts handled by freight software is "Chargeable Weight." Carriers do not simply charge based on the gross weight of the cargo. Instead, they calculate costs based on whichever is greater: the Actual Weight or the Volumetric (Dimensional) Weight.
- Actual Weight: The physical weight of the shipment including packaging (pallets, skids, shrink wrap).
- Volumetric Weight: A calculated weight based on the space the cargo occupies. It is derived using a divisor factor (e.g., 6000 for air freight, 3000 for road freight).
For example, a shipment of cotton pillows is light but bulky. The carrier will likely charge based on the volume (space occupied) rather than the physical weight. Conversely, a shipment of steel plates is dense; the charge will likely be based on physical weight.
Key Inputs in Freight Rate Calculations
Modern freight rate software integrates various data points to generate a quote. The calculator above simulates these core variables:
1. Transport Mode & DIM Factors
The mode of transport dictates the "DIM Factor" used in calculations. Air freight is the most expensive per kilogram and uses a higher divisor (typically 6000 cm³/kg or 167 kg/m³). Ocean freight often operates on a 1:1 ratio (1000 kg/m³), while road freight varies by carrier but often settles around 3000 cm³/kg.
2. Distance and Zones
Software often utilizes zone-based pricing or direct mileage calculations. While air freight relies heavily on airport-to-airport rates, road freight is sensitive to fuel consumption over distance, often necessitating complex mileage calculations integrated with current fuel indices.
3. Accessorials and Surcharges
The "Base Rate" is rarely the final price. Comprehensive freight software must account for:
- Fuel Surcharges: A fluctuating percentage added to the base rate to offset oil price changes.
- Accessorials: Fees for extra services such as lift-gate delivery, residential delivery, inside pickup, or hazardous materials handling.
- Currency Adjustment Factors (CAF): Critical for international ocean freight.
Why Logistics Companies Use Specialized Software
While a simple estimator helps for quick approximations, enterprise-grade freight rate calculator software (often part of a TMS – Transportation Management System) offers deeper capabilities:
- API Integration: Real-time connection to carriers like FedEx, UPS, DHL, or Maersk for live contract rates.
- Least Cost Routing: Automatically selecting the cheapest carrier that meets the delivery deadline.
- Load Optimization: Calculating the most efficient way to stack pallets to minimize volumetric weight.
Accurate calculation of freight rates prevents "revenue leakage" for carriers and "invoice shock" for shippers, ensuring that the supply chain operates with financial transparency.