Freight Class 500
Class 500 is the highest, most expensive class — for the lowest-density or highest-value freight (under 1 lb/ft³).
What is freight class 500?
Freight class 500 is one of the 18 classes in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). It applies to LTL shipments whose density falls between under 1 lb/ft³. Density is weight ÷ volume, so a shipment lands in class 500 when it weighs that much for the space it occupies. Lower classes (denser freight) cost less to ship; higher classes (lighter, bulkier freight) cost more, because they use more trailer space per pound.
Class 500: the ceiling of the scale
Class 500 is where the NMFC scale tops out, and it catches freight from two opposite directions. The first is density — shipments under 1 lb/ft³, lighter per cubic foot than popcorn: uncompressed foam, loose feathers and down, ping-pong balls. The second is value and risk — goods whose worth or fragility is so far out of proportion to their weight that carriers class them at the ceiling regardless of how they measure. Either road ends at the same place: the highest rate on the tariff.
For the density road, class 500 is best understood as a signal rather than a destination. Almost nothing *has* to ship at under 1 lb/ft³ — foam compresses, down bales down to a fraction of its loose volume, hollow goods nest. Freight quoted at class 500 by density is usually freight whose packaging hasn't been questioned yet.
Class 500 worked examples
Density is weight ÷ volume (cubic feet = L × W × H in inches ÷ 1,728). Here is how real shipments land in — and fall out of — class 500:
Uncompressed foam inserts — class 500
Die-cut foam packaging stacked 80" high on a 48" × 40" pallet, 80 lb.
48 × 40 × 80 = 153,600 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 88.9 ft³. Density = 80 lb ÷ 88.9 ft³.
0.9 lb/ft³ → under 1 → class 500.
Loose down in bags — class 500
Bagged loose down filling a 40" × 40" × 48" gaylord, 40 lb.
40 × 40 × 48 = 76,800 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 44.4 ft³. Density = 40 lb ÷ 44.4 ft³.
0.9 lb/ft³ → class 500.
The same foam, vacuum-compressed — class 400
The identical 80 lb of foam vacuum-bagged and restacked to 40" on the same pallet.
48 × 40 × 40 = 76,800 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 44.4 ft³. Density = 80 lb ÷ 44.4 ft³ = 1.8 lb/ft³.
1.8 lb/ft³ → class 400 — and tighter compression keeps stepping down from there.
If you're quoting class 500, change something
Compression is the escape hatch. Down and fiber ship commercially in compressed bales precisely because loose material would bankrupt the freight line; vacuum-bagged foam recovers its loft on arrival while shipping at several times its loose density. Even crossing the single line into class 400 (1 lb/ft³) meaningfully cuts the rate, and well-compressed soft goods routinely reach the 250–300 bands.
When the freight genuinely can't densify — or it's classed at 500 for value rather than density — the class stops being the decision and the mode becomes it. High-value ultra-light shipments often make more sense insured in parcel networks or as dedicated moves, where pricing follows declared value and service rather than trailer cube. Run the density math below first; if the number still starts with a zero, the next conversation is about packaging or mode, not about the rate.
Typical class 500 commodities
Goods that are commonly rated freight class 500 include:
- Ping pong balls
- Bags of gold dust
- Foam packaging
- Feathers and down
These are typical examples. The exact class of any item depends on its NMFC item number and measured density — always confirm with your carrier or broker.
Check if your shipment is class 500
Enter your dimensions and weight — if the density lands in under 1 lb/ft³, you’re in class 500.
Density-based estimate. Some commodities carry a fixed NMFC class — check our freight class by commodity pages.
Estimated Freight Class
Density
0.51
lb/ft³
Volume
53.33
ft³
Weight
27
lb
0–1 lb/ft³ → Class 500
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 |
Frequently asked questions
What is freight class 500?
Freight class 500 is the NMFC class for shipments with a density of under 1 lb/ft³. Typical examples include ping pong balls, bags of gold dust, foam packaging.
What products are freight class 500?
Goods commonly rated class 500 include ping pong balls, bags of gold dust, foam packaging, feathers and down. The actual class depends on the item's density and NMFC item number, so verify with your carrier.
How is freight class 500 determined?
Divide the shipment weight in pounds by its volume in cubic feet. A density of under 1 lb/ft³ maps to class 500 on the NMFC density scale. Use the calculator above to check your shipment.
What freight ships at class 500?
Two kinds: shipments measuring under 1 lb/ft³ (loose foam, feathers, ping-pong balls) and certain high-value or high-risk goods classed at the ceiling regardless of density. Both pay the scale's top rate.
How do I avoid class 500?
Densify: compress or vacuum-bag soft goods, bale loose material, nest hollow shapes. Crossing 1 lb/ft³ reaches class 400, and compressed soft goods often reach 250–300. If the freight is classed at 500 for value rather than density, compare insured parcel or dedicated transport instead of LTL.
Is class 500 based on density or value?
Either can put freight there. The density route is measuring under 1 lb/ft³; the value route is NMFC listings that assign class 500 to goods whose value or liability per pound is extreme. Check the item's actual NMFC listing with your carrier.