Systems and methods provide real-time shipping optimization recommendations for reducing the cost of shipping freight units in a shipment. System comprises a measurement system in communication with a computer system that comprises a client computer device in communication with a host computer system. The measurement system comprises multiple sensing devices to determine weight, dimensions, and other shipping parameters of the freight units in the shipment. The computer system computes a current shipping cost and density based on the shipping parameters. The computer system determines shipping recommendations including recommended adjustments to the shipping parameters that reduce the current shipping cost. The shipping recommendations are transmitted to the client computer device prior to loading the shipment onto a carrier vehicle for the shipment.