Tax Calculator for 1099

Freight Class & Density Calculator

Density: 0 lbs/ft³

Estimated Freight Class: –

*Note: This is an estimate based on density. Specific NMFC item numbers may override density-based classifications.

function calculateFreightClass() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('f_length').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('f_width').value); var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById('f_height').value); var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('f_weight').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('freight-result'); if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(height) || isNaN(weight) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || height <= 0 || weight <= 0) { alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields."); return; } var cubicInches = length * width * height; var cubicFeet = cubicInches / 1728; var density = weight / cubicFeet; var freightClass = ""; if (density = 1 && density = 2 && density = 3 && density = 4 && density = 5 && density = 6 && density = 7 && density = 8 && density = 9 && density = 10.5 && density = 12 && density = 13.5 && density = 15 && density = 22.5 && density = 30 && density = 35 && density = 50) freightClass = "50"; document.getElementById('res_density').innerText = density.toFixed(2) + " lbs/ft³"; document.getElementById('res_class').innerText = "Class " + freightClass; resultDiv.style.display = "block"; }

How to Determine Your Freight Class

In the world of LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipping, "Freight Class" is a standardized classification system defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). It is designed to establish uniform pricing for different commodities. Understanding how to calculate your freight class correctly is essential to avoid "re-class" fees and unexpected shipping charges.

The Role of Density in Freight Class

While there are four primary factors that determine freight class—stowability, ease of handling, liability, and density—density is the most common factor for most general goods. Density is measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF).

Our Freight Class Calculator focuses on the density method. If your product doesn't have a specific NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) commodity code, the carrier will usually default to its density-based class.

Density-to-Class Chart

Density (PCF)	Freight Class
Over 50	Class 50
35 to 50	Class 55
15 to 22.5	Class 70
9 to 10.5	Class 100
Less than 1	Class 500

Step-by-Step Calculation Example

Suppose you are shipping a pallet with the following dimensions:

• Length: 48 inches
• Width: 40 inches
• Height: 48 inches
• Weight: 600 lbs

Step 1: Calculate Total Cubic Inches. 48 x 40 x 48 = 92,160 cubic inches.

Step 2: Convert to Cubic Feet. 92,160 / 1,728 = 53.33 cubic feet.

Step 3: Calculate Density. 600 lbs / 53.33 cubic feet = 11.25 lbs/ft³.

Step 4: Determine Class. Looking at the density table, 11.25 lbs/ft³ falls into Freight Class 92.5.

Important Considerations

Always measure the extreme exterior dimensions of your shipment, including pallets or packaging. If a handle or a wheel protrudes from the side of the box, that must be included in your width or length measurement. Carriers use "dimensioners" (laser scanners) to verify these numbers, and even a 1-inch difference can trigger a costly freight re-classification.