Freight Class for Books
Palletized books usually rate freight class 55 to 65 on the NMFC density scale, because paper packs with almost no air. Publishers cap what a pallet can weigh: Hachette Book Group allows 2,200 lb gross on a 48 × 40 pallet no taller than about 52 inches, which works out to 38 lb/ft³ and class 55. Lighter pallets of 40 lb cartons land near 30 lb/ft³, on the line between class 60 and 65.
How much a pallet of books weighs
Publishers set the limits, and they are strict. Hachette Book Group's vendor guide caps each domestic carton at 42 lb and 21 × 21 × 18 inches, and each pallet at 2,200 lb gross and about 52 inches high on a standard 48 × 40 pallet, with no overhang. Cardinal Publishers Group caps cartons at 40 lb and pallets at 52 inches. IngramSpark ships its own cartons at up to about 50 lb.
So a pallet of books can weigh anything up to that 2,200 lb cap. The 36-carton pallet in the examples below weighs 1,477 lb, pallet included. Cartons are brick-stacked, with each layer turned, so the load stays square and does not lean.
Worked examples
Both examples measure the whole pallet, the way a carrier does, and include the pallet's weight.
A pallet at Hachette's limits — class 55
A 48 × 40 pallet built to 52 inches and the 2,200 lb gross cap.
48 × 40 × 52 = 99,840 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 57.8 ft³. Density = 2,200 lb ÷ 57.8 ft³.
38.1 lb/ft³ → class 55.
36 cartons of 40 lb — class 65
Cartons of 16 × 12 × 10 in, 9 per layer, 4 layers high on a 37 lb GMA pallet: 45 inches tall, 1,477 lb.
48 × 40 × 45 = 86,400 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 50.0 ft³. Density = 1,477 lb ÷ 50.0 ft³.
29.5 lb/ft³ → class 65, just under the class 60 line. Each carton alone is 36 lb/ft³; the pallet and the unused 4-inch strip bring the unit down.
Media Mail or freight?
USPS Media Mail takes books of at least 8 pages, up to 70 lb per package. That works for a few cartons. Cardinal Publishers Group's guide says that above 15 cartons or 500 lb, it is usually better to ship freight (LTL), and the books arrive in better shape on a pallet.
Once the books are on a pallet, the carrier rates the whole unit by weight, size and freight class, so the pallet's weight and height count too. Note the carton count and weight on the bill of lading so the delivery can be checked against it.
The 30 lb/ft³ line
On the current NMFC scale, 30 to 35 lb/ft³ is class 60 and 22.5 to 30 is class 65. A book pallet often lands right near that line. The carrier measures the whole pallet, so an empty strip along one edge, or the pallet's own 4 to 5 inches of height, can push a load just under 30 and into class 65.
Cartons that cover the pallet's full footprint, and a pallet built to a sensible height, keep density up. Check the real numbers before you book, because one class step changes the rate on every pound.
Check your book pallet's class
Enter the pallet's length, width and height from the floor, and the total weight with the pallet. The calculator uses the 13-tier NMFC density scale in force since July 19, 2025.
Density-based estimate. Some commodities carry a fixed NMFC class — check our freight class by commodity pages.
Estimated Freight Class
Density
42.51
lb/ft³
Volume
53.33
ft³
Weight
2,267
lb
35–50 lb/ft³ → Class 55
NMFC density scale (Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025)
Free PDF includes a watermark. Pro removes it & adds your brand.
Estimates only — verify freight class/NMFC and chargeable weight with your carrier.
Uses the 13-tier NMFC density scale (Docket 2025-1). See the full freight class chart.
Frequently asked questions
What freight class are books?
Usually class 55 to 65 when palletized. Freight class follows density: a pallet built to a publisher's 2,200 lb limit measures about 38 lb/ft³ (class 55), and a lighter pallet of 40 lb cartons about 30 lb/ft³ (class 60 or 65).
How much does a pallet of books weigh?
Up to 2,200 lb gross under Hachette Book Group's vendor guide. A pallet of 36 cartons at 40 lb each weighs about 1,477 lb with a 37 lb wood pallet.
How heavy can a carton of books be?
Publishers set the limit: 42 lb at Hachette Book Group and 40 lb at Cardinal Publishers Group. IngramSpark ships its own cartons at up to about 50 lb.
Should I ship books by Media Mail or freight?
Media Mail takes books of at least 8 pages, up to 70 lb per package. Cardinal Publishers Group suggests LTL freight once a shipment passes 15 cartons or 500 lb.
Does the pallet count in a book shipment's class?
Yes. The carrier measures and weighs the whole unit, so include the pallet's height and weight. Leaving it out makes the density look higher than the carrier will find.