Home > RizzitGo Spreadsheet: Forecasting Freight Costs with Weight-Based Formulas

RizzitGo Spreadsheet: Forecasting Freight Costs with Weight-Based Formulas

2026-01-15

Accurately predicting shipping expenses is crucial for logistics planning and budget management. The RizzitGo Spreadsheet methodology empowers businesses to forecast freight costs efficiently using simple, weight-based formulas, ensuring precise financial allocations.

The Core Formula: Weight as the Key Driver

Most freight costs are fundamentally calculated based on the chargeable weight of a shipment, which is either the actual gross weight or the volumetric weight (dimensional weight), whichever is greater. The RizzitGo model centralizes this principle.

Chargeable Weight = MAX(Actual Weight, Volumetric Weight)

Where Volumetric Weight (kg) = (Length(cm) x Width(cm) x Height(cm)) / Volumetric Divisor. The divisor is carrier-specific (e.g., 5000 for many couriers).

Building the Forecasting Model

By integrating the chargeable weight into a structured spreadsheet, you can create a dynamic cost forecast tool. Here’s the essential framework:

1. Data Input Table

Create a table with columns for: Shipment ID, Destination Zone, Actual Weight (kg), Dimensions (LxWxH), Calculated Volumetric Weight, and Final Chargeable Weight.

2. The Cost Calculation Engine

This is where the weight-based formula shines. Link your Chargeable Weight

Freight Cost = VLOOKUP(Destination Zone, Rate Table, MATCH(Chargeable Weight Range, Header, 0), TRUE)

This formula finds the correct rate based on zone and which weight bracket the shipment falls into.

3. The Rate Table

A separate matrix with destinations/zones as rows and weight brackets (0-5kg, 5-10kg, 10-20kg, etc.) as columns. Each cell contains the rate for that zone and weight bracket. This table is based on your carrier's quotations.

Practical Application for Budget Planning

With the core formulas in place, the RizzitGo Spreadsheet becomes a powerful planning tool:

  • Scenario Analysis:
  • Consolidation Planning:
  • Budget Allocation:SUMIFSUMPRODUCT
  • Carrier Comparison:

Benefits of a Formula-Driven Approach

Moving from manual estimates to a formula-based RizzitGo model offers clear advantages:

  • Accuracy & Consistency:
  • Transparency:
  • Efficiency:
  • Informed Decision-Making:

Conclusion

The RizzitGo SpreadsheetVLOOKUP