What does FTL mean in shipping?
FTL stands for full truckload: a shipment that gets an entire trailer to itself. Here is what that means in practice and how it compares with LTL.
In freight and logistics, FTL means full truckload. The shipper books the whole trailer, the freight is loaded once at origin, and the truck drives straight to the destination. You will also see it written as TL. The opposite is LTL, or less than truckload, where several shippers share one trailer.
FTL vs LTL side by side
| FTL (full truckload) | LTL (less than truckload) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical size | 10–26 pallets or 15,000–45,000 lb | 1–6 pallets, 150–15,000 lb |
| Handling | Loaded once, unloaded once | Moved through one or more terminals |
| Pricing basis | Per mile or flat lane rate | Weight, distance and freight class |
| Transit | Direct, faster, predictable | Longer, more variable |
| Damage risk | Lower | Higher; packaging matters |
| Delivery appointments | Easy to schedule | Usually a delivery window |
A simple decision path
- Under 6 pallets and not urgent? Start with LTL.
- 6–14 pallets? Get LTL, volume LTL and partial truckload quotes and compare.
- Over 14 pallets, over 15,000 lb, fragile or time-critical? Book full truckload.
Related terms you'll hear
- Dry van: the standard enclosed 53-foot trailer used for most FTL freight.
- Reefer: a temperature-controlled truckload trailer.
- Drop trailer: the carrier leaves an empty trailer for you to load at your own pace, then picks it up later.
- Live load / live unload: the driver waits while the trailer is loaded or unloaded.
- Deadhead: miles a truck drives empty, for example to reach your pickup.
- Lane: a recurring origin–destination pair, such as Atlanta to Dallas.
For a deeper look at equipment, pricing and transit times, read the full truckload shipping guide.
FTL FAQ
What does FTL stand for in trucking?
Full truckload: a shipment that uses an entire trailer for one shipper's freight.
Is FTL faster than LTL?
Usually yes. FTL goes direct with no terminal stops, so transit is shorter and more predictable.
Do I pay less for FTL if my trailer isn't full?
No. Truckload pricing is for the whole trailer. If you are well short of full, compare partial truckload or LTL pricing.