Freight Class Calculator
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Freight Class Calculator
Your Estimated Freight Class:
—
Understanding Freight Classes
Freight class is a standardized system used in the Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping industry to determine the cost of shipping. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) assigns commodities to one of 18 freight classes, ranging from 50 to 500. The higher the class number, the more expensive the freight. The freight class is determined by four key characteristics of the shipment:
- Density: This is the most crucial factor and is calculated as weight per cubic foot (lbs/ft³). Lighter, less dense items generally fall into higher classes.
- Stowability: This considers how easily a shipment can be loaded and secured within a truck. Shipments that are oversized, odd-shaped, or require special handling for stowage will be in higher classes.
- Handling: This refers to the difficulty of loading and unloading the freight. Shipments requiring special equipment or extra labor will have higher classes.
- Liability: This relates to the risk of theft or damage. High-value items or those that are easily damaged are assigned higher classes due to increased carrier liability.
How the Calculator Works
This calculator provides an *estimation* of freight class based on common industry guidelines. It takes into account the density, weight, ease of handling, stowability, and liability of your shipment. The underlying logic approximates how these factors influence the class assignment. While this tool is a great starting point, it's important to note that the official freight class for your shipment will ultimately be determined by the carrier based on the NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) product descriptions.
Input Explanations:
- Density (lbs per cubic foot): Measure the cubic feet the shipment occupies and divide the total weight by this volume.
- Weight per Shipment (lbs): The total weight of the freight being shipped.
- Ease of Handling: A subjective rating from "Very Difficult" (1) to "Very Easy" (5).
- Stowability: A rating from "Poor" (1) to "Excellent" (5), considering size and shape.
- Liability (Value per lb): The declared value of the goods divided by their weight. For example, if 100 lbs of product is worth $1000, the liability is $10/lb.
Use Cases:
This calculator is useful for:
- Shippers trying to get an estimated shipping cost.
- Businesses comparing LTL quotes from different carriers.
- Logistics professionals verifying potential freight class assignments.
- Individuals new to LTL shipping trying to understand the classification system.
Remember to always consult with your freight carrier for the definitive freight class determination.
function calculateFreightClass() {
var density = parseFloat(document.getElementById("density").value);
var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("weight").value);
var handling = parseInt(document.getElementById("handling").value);
var stowability = parseInt(document.getElementById("stowability").value);
var liability = parseFloat(document.getElementById("liability").value);
var freightClassResult = document.getElementById("freightClassResult");
if (isNaN(density) || isNaN(weight) || isNaN(handling) || isNaN(stowability) || isNaN(liability)) {
freightClassResult.textContent = "Please enter valid numbers for all fields.";
return;
}
var densityScore = 0;
if (density < 1) densityScore = 10;
else if (density < 2) densityScore = 9;
else if (density < 4) densityScore = 8;
else if (density < 6) densityScore = 7;
else if (density < 8) densityScore = 6;
else if (density < 10) densityScore = 5;
else if (density < 12) densityScore = 4;
else if (density < 15) densityScore = 3;
else if (density < 30) densityScore = 2;
else densityScore = 1;
// Adjust based on weight and density interaction (lighter items get higher class)
if (weight < 500 && density < 5) densityScore += 2;
if (weight < 1000 && density < 10) densityScore += 1;
// Normalize handling, stowability, and liability scores
var handlingScore = (5 – handling) * 2; // Higher score for difficulty
var stowabilityScore = (5 – stowability) * 2; // Higher score for poor stowability
var liabilityScore = 0;
if (liability < 1) liabilityScore = 1;
else if (liability < 5) liabilityScore = 2;
else if (liability < 10) liabilityScore = 3;
else if (liability = 25) calculatedClass = 400;
else if (totalScore >= 23) calculatedClass = 350;
else if (totalScore >= 21) calculatedClass = 300;
else if (totalScore >= 19) calculatedClass = 250;
else if (totalScore >= 17) calculatedClass = 200;
else if (totalScore >= 15) calculatedClass = 175;
else if (totalScore >= 13) calculatedClass = 150;
else if (totalScore >= 11) calculatedClass = 125;
else if (totalScore >= 10) calculatedClass = 100;
else if (totalScore >= 9) calculatedClass = 90;
else if (totalScore >= 8) calculatedClass = 85;
else if (totalScore >= 7) calculatedClass = 70;
else if (totalScore >= 6) calculatedClass = 65;
else if (totalScore >= 5) calculatedClass = 60;
else calculatedClass = 50;
// Ensure class is within the 50-500 range
if (calculatedClass 500) calculatedClass = 500;
freightClassResult.textContent = calculatedClass;
}