UPS Freight Class Calculator
For UPS parcel, dimensional weight (139 divisor) sets the cost; for LTL it is the NMFC freight class. The calculator below gives you that class in seconds.
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
6–7 lb/ft³ → Class 150
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.
| Density (lb/ft³) | Class |
|---|---|
| 50+ | 50 |
| 35 – 50 | 55 |
| 30 – 35 | 60 |
| 22.5 – 30 | 65 |
| 15 – 22.5 | 70 |
| 13.5 – 15 | 77.5 |
| 12 – 13.5 | 85 |
| 10.5 – 12 | 92.5 |
| 9 – 10.5 | 100 |
| 8 – 9 | 110 |
| 7 – 8 | 125 |
| 6 – 7 | 150 |
| 5 – 6 | 175 |
| 4 – 5 | 200 |
| 3 – 4 | 250 |
| 2 – 3 | 300 |
| 1 – 2 | 400 |
| 0 – 1 | 500 |
How UPS uses freight class
UPS sold its LTL arm, UPS Freight, to TForce Freight in 2021, so heavy palletized shipments now move under the TForce brand and are rated by freight class. UPS small-parcel still bills the greater of actual and dimensional weight using a 139 divisor. If you are shipping a pallet rather than a box, freight class — not dim weight — is the number you need.
UPS Freight is now TForce Freight
If you're looking for “UPS Freight,” it no longer exists under that name: UPS sold its LTL business to TForce Freight (part of TFI International) in 2021. Heavy palletized shipments that once moved as UPS Freight now move under the TForce Freight brand, quoted and rated on the standard NMFC freight class. The class you calculate here is exactly what TForce rates against.
UPS itself still runs its small-parcel network — Ground and Air — which bills on the greater of actual and dimensional weight using a 139 divisor, not freight class. So the practical split is simple: a box going UPS parcel is a dimensional-weight problem, while a pallet going LTL is a TForce Freight class problem. Sort out which one you have before you request a rate.
Is UPS’s freight class different?
No — and this trips a lot of shippers up. Freight class is set by the NMFC density scale, a single national standard. The class you calculate here is the same one UPS will rate against; what differs between carriers is the rate per class, the lanes they serve, and their accessorial fees — not the class itself. So calculate once, then compare UPS against other carriers on identical numbers with the freight quote builder.
UPS parcel vs LTL
One thing to watch with UPS: small parcels are billed on dimensional weight (a 139 divisor), while palletized LTL freight is billed on freight class. If your shipment is a pallet, freight class is the number you need; if it is a box, check the dimensional weight instead.
Frequently asked questions
Does UPS use a different freight class than other carriers?
No. Freight class comes from the NMFC density scale, which is an industry standard — so the class for your shipment is the same whether you ship with UPS or anyone else. UPS simply applies that class to its own rates and lanes.
How do I find my UPS freight class?
Measure your shipment's dimensions and weight, work out the density (weight ÷ volume), and match it to the NMFC scale — the calculator above does exactly that. Confirm the final class and NMFC item number with UPS when you book.
Why does freight class matter for a UPS quote?
Class is usually the single biggest factor in an LTL rate. UPS LTL is now TForce Freight (rated by freight class); UPS parcel uses a 139 dimensional divisor. Getting it right before you request a quote keeps the rate accurate and avoids a costly reclassification later.
Is UPS Freight still around?
Not under that name. UPS sold its LTL arm to TForce Freight in 2021, so LTL shipments now move under TForce and are rated on NMFC freight class. UPS still runs small-parcel service separately.
How do I get a TForce Freight (former UPS Freight) LTL quote?
Rate it on freight class, weight and lane like any LTL carrier — calculate your class above, then request the TForce quote. The class is the same one every carrier uses.
Does UPS ship pallets?
UPS small parcel is for boxes billed on dimensional weight (139 divisor). For palletized LTL freight, the shipment moves via TForce Freight and is rated on freight class instead.