Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 105,996	$ 104,903
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	0	363
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $3,749 in 2025 and $3,269 in 2024	343,559	322,291
Other receivables	6,147	205
Prepaid expenses	28,045	29,053
Other current assets	37,254	15,685
Total current assets	521,001	472,500
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $340,021 in 2025 and $292,855 in 2024	297,882	326,188
Operating lease right-of-use assets	412,535	410,084
Goodwill	522,712	522,712
Other acquired intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $301,453 in 2025 and $212,905 in 2024	906,791	999,216
Other long-term assets	58,023	71,941
Total assets	2,718,944	2,802,641
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	121,752	105,692
Accrued expenses	114,422	119,836
Other current liabilities	69,130	45,148
Current portion of finance lease obligations	15,995	16,930
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	107,026	96,440
Total current liabilities	428,325	384,046
Finance lease obligations, less current portion	22,387	30,858
Long-term debt	1,687,248	1,675,930
Liability under tax receivable agreement	11,548	13,295
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	327,011	325,640
Other long-term liabilities	53,540	48,835
Deferred income taxes	27,221	38,169
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, value	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares 50,000,000; issued and outstanding shares - 31,326,561 in 2025 and 29,761,197 in 2024	313	298
Additional paid-in capital	559,551	542,392
Accumulated deficit	(447,100)	(338,230)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	580	(2,732)
Total Forward Air shareholders' equity	113,344	201,728
Noncontrolling interest	48,320	84,140
Total shareholders' equity	161,664	285,868
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,718,944	2,802,641
Preferred Class B
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, value	$ 0	$ 0

Liabilities Under Tax Receivable Agreement, Noncurrent

No definition available.

Name:	fwrd_LiabilitiesUnderTaxReceivableAgreementNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	fwrd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).