Freight Class Calculator
Enter your shipment’s dimensions and weight to get its NMFC freight class instantly. The calculator works out density — weight per cubic foot — and maps it to the standard freight class scale used by LTL carriers. Switch between pounds/kilograms and inches/centimeters, and add multiple identical pallets in one go.
Density-based estimate. Some commodities carry a fixed NMFC class — check our freight class by commodity pages.
Estimated Freight Class
Density
6.56
lb/ft³
Volume
53.33
ft³
Weight
350
lb
6–8 lb/ft³ → Class 125
NMFC density scale (Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025)
Pre-July-2025 table: class 150. Use it only if your carrier contract still prices on the old table.
Free PDF includes a watermark. Pro removes it & adds your brand.
Estimates only — verify freight class/NMFC and chargeable weight with your carrier.
How freight class is calculated (density scale)
Freight class is set by density = weight (lb) ÷ volume (ft³). Higher density → lower class → typically lower cost. Volume here is L × W × H × quantity.
This is the 13-tier NMFC standard density scale from Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025. It applies to freight without special handling, stowability or liability factors. Classes 77.5, 110, 150, 200 and 500 still exist, but only through specific commodity listings, not density.
| Density (lb/ft³) | Class |
|---|---|
| 50+ | 50 |
| 35 – 50 | 55 |
| 30 – 35 | 60 |
| 22.5 – 30 | 65 |
| 15 – 22.5 | 70 |
| 12 – 15 | 85 |
| 10 – 12 | 92.5 |
| 8 – 10 | 100 |
| 6 – 8 | 125 |
| 4 – 6 | 175 |
| 2 – 4 | 250 |
| 1 – 2 | 300 |
| 0 – 1 | 400 |
How to calculate freight class
LTL freight class comes from density — how much a shipment weighs for the space it occupies. The formula is simple:
- 1. Measure each handling unit’s length, width, and height.
- 2. Get cubic feet: L × W × H in inches, divided by 1,728.
- 3. Divide total weight (lb) by total volume (ft³) for density.
- 4. Match the density to the NMFC scale to read your class.
Higher density → lower class → usually a lower rate. The full density-to-class table is in the calculator above (open “How freight class is calculated”) and on the freight class chart. Shipping pallets of different sizes in one load? The freight density calculator adds each piece and gives the density of the whole shipment.
What is freight class?
Freight class is a standardized rating from 50 to 500 set by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). It groups LTL shipments by how easy and cost-effective they are to transport, based on density, stowability, handling, and liability. Class is one of the biggest factors in your LTL freight rate, so getting it right keeps quotes accurate and avoids re-class fees from carriers.
Freight class by carrier
Freight class is the same NMFC standard whichever carrier you use — what changes is the rate per class, the lanes, and the accessorial fees. See how it works with your carrier:
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate freight class?
Freight class is based on density: divide the shipment weight in pounds by its volume in cubic feet (length × width × height ÷ 1,728 for inches). Match that density to the NMFC density scale — for example, 10 to under 12 lb/ft³ is class 92.5 on the current scale (NMFC Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025). Higher density means a lower class.
What is the freight class for a standard pallet?
It depends entirely on density, not the pallet itself. A 48×40×48-inch pallet weighing 350 lb has a volume of about 53.3 ft³ and a density of ~6.6 lb/ft³, which is class 125 on the current NMFC scale (it was class 150 under the pre-July-2025 table). The same pallet at 700 lb would be ~13 lb/ft³, or class 85.
Does this calculator use the 2025 NMFC density scale?
Yes. It uses the 13-tier standard density scale from NMFC Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025. Where the old 18-class table would give a different answer, the result also shows that older class for reference, because some shippers still have quotes or contracts priced on it.
Is freight class the same as NMFC code?
No. Freight class (50–500) is the rating bucket that prices an LTL shipment. The NMFC code is a specific item number from the National Motor Freight Classification that identifies the commodity. Many commodities have a fixed class tied to their NMFC code rather than density.
Why does a lower freight class cost less?
Lower classes (e.g., 50–70) describe dense, durable, easy-to-handle freight that uses less truck space per pound, so carriers charge less. Higher classes (e.g., 250–500) describe light, bulky, or fragile freight that takes more space and handling.
Will this calculator give my exact freight class?
It gives the density-based class, which is correct for most general commodities. Some items carry a fixed NMFC class regardless of density. Always confirm the final class and NMFC code with your carrier or broker before booking — this tool is an estimate.