Freight Class & Density Calculator
Accurately determine your LTL freight class based on shipment density.
Shipment Analysis
Total Cubic Feet:
0.00
Density (lbs/cu ft):
0.00
Estimated Freight Class:
–
*Estimation based on standard density. Actual NMFC class may vary based on commodity type, stowability, and liability.
Understanding Freight Class and Density
In the world of Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping, the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system is the standard used to categorize commodities. Freight class is a numerical value ranging from 50 to 500 that helps carriers determine shipping rates. While there are four primary factors (Density, Stowability, Handling, and Liability), Density is often the most critical factor for freight that doesn't have a fixed NMFC code.
How Freight Density is Calculated
To calculate density, you must determine the total cubic feet of your shipment. The formula used by our calculator is:
- Multiply Length x Width x Height (in inches) to get cubic inches.
- Divide the total cubic inches by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot).
- Divide the total weight of the shipment by the total cubic feet.
Freight Class Density Table
| Density (lbs per cubic foot) | Freight Class | Typical Commodity Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Over 50 | 50 | Bricks, cement, steel nuts/bolts |
| 35 to 50 | 55 | Bricks, floor tiling, hardwood flooring |
| 30 to 35 | 60 | Car parts, ceramic tiles, beverages |
| 22.5 to 30 | 65 | Books, bottled water, boxed paper |
| 15 to 22.5 | 70 | Auto engines, machinery, food items |
| 13.5 to 15 | 77.5 | Tires, bathroom fixtures, snowmobiles |
| 12 to 13.5 | 85 | Crated machinery, cast iron stoves |
| 10.5 to 12 | 92.5 | Computers, monitors, refrigerators |
| 9 to 10.5 | 100 | Boat covers, wine cases, kayak kits |
| 8 to 9 | 110 | Cabinets, table saws, framed artwork |
| 7 to 8 | 125 | Small appliances, aircraft parts |
| 6 to 7 | 150 | Unassembled furniture, plastics |
| 5 to 6 | 175 | Clothing, couches, finished furniture |
| 4 to 5 | 200 | Boxed furniture, mattresses |
| 3 to 4 | 250 | Plasma TVs, bamboo furniture |
| 2 to 3 | 300 | Model airplanes, wood carvings |
| 1 to 2 | 400 | Deer antlers, light fixtures |
| Less than 1 | 500 | Ping pong balls, bags of gold dust |
Real-World Example Calculation
Imagine you are shipping a standard pallet of boxed electronics. The dimensions are 48″L x 40″W x 45″H and the total weight is 450 lbs.
- Volume: (48 x 40 x 45) / 1728 = 50 cubic feet.
- Density: 450 lbs / 50 cubic feet = 9 lbs per cubic foot.
- Freight Class: Referring to the table, a density of 9 pcf falls into Class 110.
Why Freight Class Accuracy Matters
Providing an incorrect freight class on your Bill of Lading (BOL) can lead to Re-weigh and Re-classification fees. Carriers use dimensioning machines at hubs to verify every shipment. If your density doesn't match the class provided, the carrier will adjust the invoice, often adding a significant administrative fee on top of the rate difference.