Freight Class & Density Calculator
Calculation Results
Total Volume: cubic feet
Total Density: lbs per cubic foot (PCF)
Estimated Freight Class (Based on Density):
Class 50
Understanding Freight Class and Density
Freight class is a standardized shipping category defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). It is used to provide a uniform pricing structure for Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipments. While there are four factors that determine freight class—density, stowability, handling, and liability—density is the most common factor used for calculation.
How Density Determines Your Class
Density refers to the space an item occupies in relation to its weight. Generally, the higher the density, the lower the freight class. Lower classes (like Class 50) are cheaper to ship because they are heavy, compact, and hard to damage. Higher classes (like Class 400) are lightweight but take up significant space in the trailer.
The NMFC Density Table
Use the following table as a general guide to how density (pounds per cubic foot) correlates to freight class:
| Density (PCF) | Freight Class |
|---|---|
| Over 50 lbs | Class 50 |
| 15 to 22.5 lbs | Class 70 |
| 10.5 to 12 lbs | Class 92.5 |
| 6 to 7 lbs | Class 150 |
| Less than 1 lb | Class 500 |
Realistic Example Calculation
Imagine you are shipping a standard pallet of boxed machine parts:
- Dimensions: 48″ L x 40″ W x 45″ H
- Weight: 850 lbs
- Step 1 (Cubic Inches): 48 x 40 x 45 = 86,400 cubic inches.
- Step 2 (Cubic Feet): 86,400 / 1728 = 50 cubic feet.
- Step 3 (Density): 850 lbs / 50 cu ft = 17 lbs per cubic foot (PCF).
- Result: According to the table, 17 PCF falls into Freight Class 70.
Note: Always include the weight of the pallet (typically 40-50 lbs) in your total weight calculation to ensure accuracy and avoid carrier re-weigh fees.