Freight Class & NMFC
Find and understand your LTL freight class — the 50–500 rating that drives your shipping cost. Calculator, density chart, and 60 commodity guides, all on this page.
The freight class density chart
For most general commodities, freight class is assigned by density (pounds per cubic foot). Here is the standard NMFC density scale:
| Density (lb/ft³) | Freight class |
|---|---|
| 50 and over | Class 50 |
| 35 – under 50 | Class 55 |
| 30 – under 35 | Class 60 |
| 22.5 – under 30 | Class 65 |
| 15 – under 22.5 | Class 70 |
| 13.5 – under 15 | Class 77.5 |
| 12 – under 13.5 | Class 85 |
| 10.5 – under 12 | Class 92.5 |
| 9 – under 10.5 | Class 100 |
| 8 – under 9 | Class 110 |
| 7 – under 8 | Class 125 |
| 6 – under 7 | Class 150 |
| 5 – under 6 | Class 175 |
| 4 – under 5 | Class 200 |
| 3 – under 4 | Class 250 |
| 2 – under 3 | Class 300 |
| 1 – under 2 | Class 400 |
| 0 – under 1 | Class 500 |
What sets a freight class — the four NMFC factors
Density gets the headlines because it decides most general freight, but the NMFC actually rates every commodity on four transportation characteristics. When a commodity carries a fixed class that seems to ignore its density, one of the other three factors is the reason:
- Density — pounds per cubic foot. Dense freight uses trailer capacity efficiently, so it rates low and ships cheap. This is the factor you control with packaging, and the one the calculator measures.
- Stowability — how well the freight loads alongside other freight. Odd shapes, overhanging pieces, hazmat that cannot share a trailer, and anything that cannot be stacked all stow poorly and push the class up.
- Handling — what it takes to move the piece through a terminal. Standard palletized freight forklifts cleanly; fragile, unwieldy, or specially-rigged pieces need extra care and time, which the class reflects.
- Liability — the carrier's risk while the freight is in its care. High value per pound, easy theft targets, perishables, and damage-prone goods carry more risk, so they rate higher than their density alone would suggest.
Practical takeaway: run the density first. If your commodity is ordinary general freight, the density chart above is your answer. If it is fragile, oddly shaped, or high-value, check its commodity guide — the NMFC may assign a fixed class for reasons the tape measure cannot see. New to all of this? Start with the plain-English primer: what freight class is and how the 18 classes work.
Browse the freight classes
There are 18 standard NMFC classes from 50 to 500. Open any class for its density range, typical commodities, and a quick check:
Freight class by commodity
Wondering what class your goods are? These guides give the typical class, what drives it, and a quick way to confirm your exact shipment:
Freight class FAQ
What is freight class?
Freight class is an 18-step rating from 50 to 500 that LTL carriers use to price shipments, published by the NMFTA in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). Low classes are dense, easy freight and cost less per pound; high classes are light, bulky freight and cost more.
Is freight class the same as an NMFC code?
No. The NMFC code is a numbered listing that identifies the commodity itself, while the class 50–500 is the rating attached to that listing. A carrier wants both on the bill of lading: the code says what the goods are, the class says how they price.
What happens if I use the wrong freight class?
The carrier inspects, reclassifies, and rebills at the correct class — usually with an inspection fee on top. Reclass bills arrive after delivery, so the surprise lands on your invoice, not your quote. Measuring density before you book is much cheaper than guessing.
How do I find my freight class?
For density-rated commodities: measure length, width and height, weigh the shipment, and divide pounds by cubic feet — the density chart on this page maps the result to a class. Our freight class calculator does this in one step. Some commodities carry a fixed class regardless of density; the commodity guides below flag those.