LTL Freight Class & Density Calculator
Calculate your shipment's density and estimated NMFC freight class.
Shipment Analysis
Total Cubic Feet:
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Density (PCF):
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Estimated Freight Class:
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Understanding Freight Class and Density
In the world of Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping, freight class is a standardized method used to categorize commodities for pricing purposes. Established by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), these classes ensure that shippers and carriers have a common language for determining shipping rates.
How Density Affects Your Shipping Costs
While freight class is determined by four factors—density, stowability, handling, and liability—density is the primary driver for most shipments. Density is measured in Pounds per Cubic Foot (PCF). Higher density items (like steel bolts) generally have a lower freight class, while low-density items (like ping pong balls) have a higher class because they occupy more space in the truck relative to their weight.
Freight Class Density Table
| Density (PCF) | Freight Class |
|---|---|
| Over 50 | Class 50 |
| 30 to 35 | Class 60 |
| 15 to 22.5 | Class 70 |
| 10.5 to 12 | Class 92.5 |
| 8 to 9 | Class 110 |
| 6 to 7 | Class 150 |
| Less than 1 | Class 500 |
The Formula for Freight Density
To calculate density manually, use the following steps:
- Multiply Length x Width x Height in inches to get the total cubic inches.
- Divide the total cubic inches by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot).
- Divide the weight of the shipment by the total cubic feet calculated in step 2.
Example: A pallet weighing 500 lbs with dimensions 48″ x 40″ x 48″ has a volume of 53.33 cubic feet. 500 divided by 53.33 equals a density of 9.37 PCF, which typically falls under Class 100.