Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2026	Dec. 31, 2025
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 139,448	$ 105,996
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $5,369 in 2026 and $3,749 in 2025	369,469	343,559
Other receivables	6,104	6,147
Prepaid expenses	26,465	28,045
Other current assets	41,630	37,254
Total current assets	583,116	521,001
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $352,920 in 2026 and $340,021 in 2025	274,670	297,882
Operating lease right-of-use assets	361,426	412,535
Goodwill	278,706	522,712
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $346,229 in 2026 and $301,453 in 2025	860,915	906,791
Other long-term assets	52,012	58,023
Total assets	2,410,845	2,718,944
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	118,651	121,752
Accrued expenses	118,551	114,422
Other current liabilities	81,911	69,130
Current portion of finance lease obligations	14,961	15,995
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	107,497	107,026
Total current liabilities	441,571	428,325
Long-term debt	1,693,340	1,687,248
Liabilities under Tax Receivable Agreement	26,794	11,548
Finance lease obligations, less current portion	16,804	22,387
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	277,379	327,011
Deferred income taxes	24,358	27,221
Other long-term liabilities	53,265	53,540
Total liabilities	2,533,511	2,557,280
Shareholders' (deficit) equity:
Preferred stock, value	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 33,736 and 31,327 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively	337	313
Additional paid-in capital	575,818	559,551
Accumulated deficit	(690,324)	(447,100)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,261)	580
Total Forward Air shareholders' (deficit) equity	(115,430)	113,344
Noncontrolling interest	(7,236)	48,320
Total shareholders' (deficit) equity	(122,666)	161,664
Total liabilities and shareholders' (deficit) equity	2,410,845	2,718,944
Preferred Class B
Shareholders' (deficit) 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).