LCL vs FCL Cost Comparison
Compare less-than-container (LCL) and full-container (FCL) sea freight cost and find the break-even CBM.
Inputs
m³
kg
per W/M
W/M
currency
currency
Results
- Cheapest option
- LCL
- LCL cost
- 1,020
- Revenue tons (W/M)
- 12
- Break-even vs 20ft
- 17.65 m³
Formula
W/M = max(CBM, tonnes, minimum)
LCL cost = W/M × LCL rate
Break-even CBM = 20ft rate ÷ LCL rate
Assumptions & limits
- Rates should be all-in (origin, freight, destination).
- 20ft practical limit taken as 28 m³, 40ft as 58 m³.
- FCL is often faster and safer even near break-even.
Worked example
W/M = 12 → LCL 1,020 vs 20ft 1,500 → LCL is cheaper; break-even ≈ 17.65 m³.