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Freight Class & Density Calculator

Calculation Results

Total Volume: 0 cubic feet

Density: 0 lbs per cubic foot (PCF)

Estimated Freight Class: —

*Note: This is an estimate based on density. Other factors like stowability, handling, and liability may affect the final NMFC classification.

function calculateFreightClass() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_length').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_width').value); var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_height').value); var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_weight').value); var qty = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_qty').value); if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(height) || isNaN(weight) || isNaN(qty) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || height <= 0 || weight <= 0 || qty = 50) { freightClass = "50"; } else if (density >= 35) { freightClass = "55"; } else if (density >= 30) { freightClass = "60"; } else if (density >= 22.5) { freightClass = "65"; } else if (density >= 15) { freightClass = "70"; } else if (density >= 13.5) { freightClass = "77.5"; } else if (density >= 12) { freightClass = "85"; } else if (density >= 10.5) { freightClass = "92.5"; } else if (density >= 9) { freightClass = "100"; } else if (density >= 8) { freightClass = "110"; } else if (density >= 7) { freightClass = "125"; } else if (density >= 6) { freightClass = "150"; } else if (density >= 5) { freightClass = "175"; } else if (density >= 4) { freightClass = "200"; } else if (density >= 3) { freightClass = "250"; } else if (density >= 2) { freightClass = "300"; } else if (density >= 1) { freightClass = "400"; } else { freightClass = "500"; } document.getElementById('res_volume').innerText = totalCubicFeet.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('res_density').innerText = density.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('res_class').innerText = freightClass; document.getElementById('freight_result').style.display = 'block'; }

If you are involved in shipping Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight, understanding how freight class is calculated is essential for accurate quoting and avoiding costly re-bills. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) defines freight classes to provide a standardized pricing structure for carriers.

What is Freight Class?

Freight class is a number assigned to commodities to determine the shipping rate. There are 18 possible classes, ranging from Class 50 (the least expensive) to Class 500 (the most expensive). While several factors determine the class—stowability, ease of handling, and liability—density is the primary metric used for most goods.

How to Calculate Freight Density

Density is defined as the weight per cubic foot. To calculate the density of your shipment, follow these steps:

1. Measure the Dimensions: Measure the length, width, and height of the shipment in inches. Always measure the outermost points, including pallets or packaging.
2. Calculate Cubic Inches: Multiply Length x Width x Height.
3. Convert to Cubic Feet: Divide the total cubic inches by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot).
4. Calculate PCF: Divide the total weight of the shipment by the total cubic feet. This gives you the Pounds per Cubic Foot (PCF).

Freight Class Table (Density Based)

Density (PCF)	Freight Class
Over 50	50
35 to 50	55
15 to 22.5	70
10.5 to 12	92.5
6 to 7	150
Less than 1	500

Examples of Freight Classification

Knowing common items in each class can help you visualize how density affects your costs:

• Class 50: Heavy items like steel nuts and bolts, flooring, or bags of cement. These are very dense and hard to damage.
• Class 70: Car parts, food items, and boxed machinery.
• Class 125: Small household appliances or large electronics.
• Class 250: Bamboo furniture or large items that are very light for their size.
• Class 500: Ping-pong balls, bags of gold dust, or extremely low-density items that take up massive space with almost no weight.

Why Accuracy Matters

Carriers use dimensioners (lasers) to verify the size and weight of your freight as it passes through their cross-dock facilities. If your declared freight class is incorrect, the carrier will issue a Weight and Inspection (W&I) certificate and adjust your invoice. These corrections often come with additional fees ranging from $25 to $150 per shipment, plus the increase in freight charges.