Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Cover Page

v3.22.0.1
Cover Page - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Feb. 25, 2022
Jun. 30, 2021
Cover [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2021    
Entity File Number 000-22490    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity Registrant Name FORWARD AIR CORPORATION    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code TN    
Entity Tax Identification Number 62-1120025    
Entity Address, Address Line One 1915 Snapps Ferry Road    
Entity Address, Address Line Two Building N    
Entity Address, City or Town Greeneville    
Entity Address, State or Province TN    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 37745    
City Area Code 423    
Local Phone Number 636-7000    
Title of Each Class Common Stock, $0.01 par value    
Trading Symbol(s) FWRD    
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered NASDAQ    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 1,781,062,975
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   26,941,467  
Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.    
Entity Central Index Key 0000912728    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2021    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Amendment Flag false