# Carrier Rate Comparison Calculator

> Compare two or three carrier quotes on total cost, applying each one’s rate per kg, minimum charge, fuel surcharge and fixed fees to your shipment.

Category: Logistics & transport · Applies to: Worldwide · Last updated: 2026-10-29
Interactive calculator: https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carrier-rate-comparison-calculator

The cheapest rate per kg is not always the cheapest quote. Apply each carrier’s minimum charge, fuel surcharge and fixed fees to the same shipment to compare like with like.

Also called: Freight quote comparison calculator, Shipping rate comparison calculator.

## Inputs
- Chargeable weight (unit kg; default 320)
- Carrier A: rate per kg (default 2.10)
- Carrier A: minimum charge (default 150; optional)
- Carrier A: fuel surcharge (unit %; default 18; optional)
- Carrier A: fixed fees (default 35; optional)
- Carrier B: rate per kg (default 1.85)
- Carrier B: minimum charge (default 200; optional)
- Carrier B: fuel surcharge (unit %; default 25; optional)
- Carrier B: fixed fees (default 60; optional)
- Carrier C: rate per kg (default 2.40; optional)
- Carrier C: minimum charge (default 100; optional)
- Carrier C: fuel surcharge (unit %; default 10; optional)
- Carrier C: fixed fees (default 20; optional)
- Currency

## Results
- Lowest total cost
- Cheapest carrier
- Saving vs the next cheapest
- Gap between cheapest and dearest
- Cheapest cost per kg

## Formula

```
Linehaul = max(Weight × Rate, Minimum);  Total = Linehaul × (1 + Fuel surcharge %) + Fixed fees
```

Where:
- Rate: price per unit of chargeable weight
- Minimum: the lowest linehaul charge the carrier accepts
- Fuel surcharge: percentage applied to linehaul
- Fixed fees: per-shipment charges such as documentation or pickup

## Worked example
1. A: 320 × 2.10 = 672; + 18% = 120.96; + 35 = 827.96.
2. B: 320 × 1.85 = 592; + 25% = 148; + 60 = 800.
3. C: 320 × 2.40 = 768; + 10% = 76.80; + 20 = 864.80.
4. B is cheapest, 27.96 below A and 64.80 below C.

**Result:** For 320 kg, Carrier B costs 800 all-in, 27.96 less than Carrier A.

## What the result means

Recheck the comparison for your typical light and heavy shipments: minimum charges favour different carriers at different weights. Weigh transit time and claims history alongside price.

## Assumptions and limits
- The fuel surcharge applies to linehaul only, not to fixed fees.
- All carriers bill on the same chargeable weight.
- Weight-break tariffs, accessorials triggered on delivery and currency differences are not modelled.

## Questions

### What if a carrier applies the surcharge to everything?

Add its fixed fees to the linehaul by increasing the minimum or rate, or enter the fees already including the surcharge.

### Can I compare per-pallet or per-mile quotes?

Yes. Enter pallets or miles as the weight and the rate per pallet or mile; the arithmetic is the same.

## Related calculators
- [Air Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/air-freight-chargeable-weight-calculator)
- [Freight Margin Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/freight-margin-calculator)
- [Percentage Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/percentage-calculator)

Source: GM¹X CalcVerse — https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carrier-rate-comparison-calculator