How do I compare a percentage fee to a flat fee?

This calculator converts whichever fee type you enter into an effective percentage of that load's revenue, so a $150 flat fee on a $2,000 load (7.5%) can be compared directly against, say, a 10% percentage-based fee.

Which fee type is usually better for me?

It depends on your average load revenue. Flat fees tend to favor higher-revenue loads (lower effective percentage), while percentage fees scale evenly regardless of load size. Run a few of your typical loads through this calculator with both fee types to see which comes out ahead for your lane and load mix.

What does the loads-per-month projection show?

It multiplies this single load's dispatch fee by however many similar loads you run in a typical month, giving you a rough monthly cost of dispatch — useful for comparing services or deciding whether dispatch is worth it at your volume.

Is this the same as the dispatch fee on the Load Profit Calculator?

The math is the same, but Load Profit folds the dispatch fee into a full profit calculation alongside fuel, deadhead, and factoring. This calculator isolates just the fee itself for a closer look or a side-by-side comparison of fee structures.

Dispatch Fee Calculator

Calculate the true cost of percentage-based or flat-rate dispatch fees, and compare the two pricing models on equal terms.

Best for: owner-operators comparing a percentage-based dispatch fee against a flat-rate offer from a different dispatcher.

Enter your load and fee details

Fee type

Currency

Load revenue*

Dispatch fee*

Loads per month (optional)

Enter to project this fee's cost across a typical month.

Enter your load and fee details and select “Calculate fee” to see your results.

How this calculator works

For a percentage fee, the calculator multiplies load revenue by the fee percentage. For a flat fee, it uses the flat amount directly, then converts it into an effective percentage of that load's revenue so it can be compared to a percentage-based fee. If you enter loads per month, it projects the total fee cost across a typical month.

Worked example

A $2,000 load with a 10% dispatch fee costs $200, leaving $1,800 net. The same load with a $150 flat fee instead costs less in dollar terms — an effective 7.5% — leaving $1,850 net. Running 12 similar loads a month, the flat fee would project to about $1,800/month in dispatch cost versus $2,400/month for the 10% fee.

Where a flat fee overtakes a percentage fee

Comparing a 10% percentage fee against a $150 flat fee across different load revenues shows there's a specific crossover point, not a fee type that's simply always cheaper:

Load revenue	10% fee	$150 flat fee	Cheaper option
$1,000	$100	$150	10% fee
$1,500	$150	$150	Equal
$2,000	$200	$150	$150 flat fee
$2,500	$250	$150	$150 flat fee

This example uses 10% and $150 specifically — enter your own dispatcher's actual fee terms above; a different percentage or flat amount moves the crossover point.

Understanding the inputs and outputs

Effective fee % always reflects the fee as a share of this load's revenue, regardless of whether you entered a percentage or flat amount — this is what makes the two comparable.
Loads per month is optional and only affects the monthly projection, not the per-load numbers above it.

Common mistakes

Comparing a flat fee and a percentage fee in raw dollar terms instead of effective percentage, especially across loads of different sizes.
Forgetting dispatch fees when calculating a load's real profit — see the Load Profit Calculator.
Assuming a flat fee is always cheaper without checking it against your actual average load revenue.

Limitations

This calculator compares fee structures only — it doesn't account for differences in load quality, communication, or service between dispatchers that a lower fee might not make up for.

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare a percentage fee to a flat fee?: This calculator converts whichever fee type you enter into an effective percentage of that load's revenue, so a $150 flat fee on a $2,000 load (7.5%) can be compared directly against, say, a 10% percentage-based fee.
Which fee type is usually better for me?: It depends on your average load revenue. Flat fees tend to favor higher-revenue loads (lower effective percentage), while percentage fees scale evenly regardless of load size. Run a few of your typical loads through this calculator with both fee types to see which comes out ahead for your lane and load mix.
What does the loads-per-month projection show?: It multiplies this single load's dispatch fee by however many similar loads you run in a typical month, giving you a rough monthly cost of dispatch — useful for comparing services or deciding whether dispatch is worth it at your volume.
Is this the same as the dispatch fee on the Load Profit Calculator?: The math is the same, but Load Profit folds the dispatch fee into a full profit calculation alongside fuel, deadhead, and factoring. This calculator isolates just the fee itself for a closer look or a side-by-side comparison of fee structures.

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Find out if a specific load is worth taking by calculating true profit after fuel, deadhead, and operating costs.

All results are estimates based on the figures you enter. This calculator does not account for taxes and is not financial, tax, accounting, or legal advice. Actual dispatch terms depend on your specific agreement.