🇺🇸 US LTL Freight

Freight Class Calculator

Enter your cargo dimensions and weight to instantly calculate NMFC freight class and density — no guessing, no surprises on your LTL bill.

Your Freight Class

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Enter dimensions and weight above

💡 Measure the longest point including any protrusions or overhang on the pallet. Carriers re-weigh and re-class — accurate dims upfront prevent correction charges.
Class Density (pcf) Typical freight
50 ≥ 50 Very dense — bricks, metal scrap
55 35–50 Dense — hardwood, machinery
60 30–35 Dense — steel cable, cast iron
65 22.5–30 Dense — auto parts, bottled beverages
70 15–22.5 Moderate — food products, assembled tools
77.5 13.5–15 Moderate — tires, bathroom fixtures
85 12–13.5 Moderate — crated machinery, cast iron stoves
92.5 10.5–12 Light-moderate — computers, monitors
100 9–10.5 Light-moderate — wine, car covers
110 8–9 Light — cabinets, framed art
125 7–8 Light — small household appliances
150 6–7 Light — auto sheet metal, bookcases
175 5–6 Very light — clothing, stuffed furniture
200 4–5 Very light — sheet metal parts, aluminum tables
250 3–4 Bulky — bamboo furniture, mattresses
300 2–3 Very bulky — wood cabinets, tables (unassembled)
400 1–2 Extremely bulky — deer antlers, ping pong balls
500 < 1 Air freight-like — gold dust, bags of air

What Is Freight Class — and Why Does It Control Your LTL Rate?

Freight class is a standardized number assigned to every LTL shipment by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFA). It runs from Class 50 (the cheapest) to Class 500 (the most expensive). Carriers use the class to set the base rate for your shipment — higher class means a higher rate per hundredweight (CWT).

The class is determined by four factors, but density is the primary one for most freight. Density is your shipment's weight divided by its volume in cubic feet. Dense cargo (bricks, metal parts) earns a low class and a low rate. Light, bulky cargo (pillows, empty boxes) gets a high class and a high rate — because it takes up trailer space without contributing much weight, which costs the carrier money.

The four NMFC factors

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Density

Weight ÷ volume in cubic feet. The primary driver for most commodities. Denser = lower class = lower rate.

📦

Stowability

Can it stack? Is it hazmat? Oddly shaped freight that wastes trailer space gets a higher class.

🔧

Handling

Fragile, hazardous, or awkward loads require extra handling — which raises the class.

🛡️

Liability

High-value or theft-prone goods carry more carrier risk, which can push the class up.

How to calculate density

Volume (ft³) = L(in) × W(in) × H(in) ÷ 1,728
Density (pcf) = Weight (lb) ÷ Volume (ft³)

1,728 converts cubic inches to cubic feet (12³ = 1,728). Always measure the longest point of the shipment including pallet and any overhang — carriers measure the same way when they re-class at the dock.

What happens if your class is wrong?

Carriers re-weigh and re-measure shipments at the dock. If their measurement produces a different class than what you declared, they issue a freight bill correction — you pay the difference plus a re-classification fee, which can add 30–50% to the original quote. Getting the class right before pickup is always cheaper than correcting it after.

Free Load Planning Tool

Done estimating? Plan the full load.

Drag and drop your cargo, auto-arrange for weight balance, and export step-by-step loading instructions - no account needed.

Open Load Planner

Frequently Asked Questions

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