Freight glossaryLTLFreight Pricing
Hundredweight (CWT)
Definition
A hundredweight (CWT) in U.S. freight is 100 pounds; LTL base rates are commonly quoted per hundredweight.
What it means
NIST notes that when "hundredweight" is used unmodified in the U.S., it is commonly understood to mean 100 pounds; the British "gross" or "long" hundredweight is 112 pounds.[1] Carrier tariffs use the same unit: one LTL rules tariff defines CWT as "rate in cents per 100 pounds."[2]
LTL rate tables are set out by class and weight break, and as the weight breaks increase, the rate per hundredweight decreases.[3] To find the charge, divide the weight by 100 and multiply by the rate for that class and weight break, then apply discounts, minimums and accessorials.
Example
A 1,250 lb LTL shipment is 12.5 CWT. If the tariff rate for its class and weight break were R dollars per CWT, the base charge before discounts would be 12.5 x R, subject to the minimum charge.
Related
Related terms
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Related questions
Sources
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, “NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C: General Tables of Units of Measurement,” Government standard. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- FedEx Freight, “FedEx Freight 100-Y Rules Tariff (effective January 5, 2026),” Carrier rules tariff. Published January 5, 2026. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- Georgia Institute of Technology, ISyE course materials, “LTL Module 1 (training white paper, Horizon Logistics, 2010),” Industry training paper. Published 2010. Accessed September 30, 2026.
General operational information, not legal, customs or regulatory advice. Rules and rates change; confirm current requirements with the agency, carrier or contract that governs your shipment.