Freight Class for Textiles
Baled cotton is dense: the industry's bale specification requires a gin universal density bale to be pressed to at least 28 lb per cubic foot, which is class 65, and denser bales rate class 60. The average U.S. upland bale weighed 491.4 lb net for the 2025 crop. Fabric on rolls and boxed linens are much lighter for their size, so measure them as packed.
Cotton bales
The cotton industry's bale packaging specification sets the gin universal density bale at a density of at least 28 lb per cubic foot, pressed in a box about 20 to 21 by 54 to 55 inches. At 28 lb/ft³ a bale rates class 65; a denser bale rates class 60.
USDA's ginnings report puts the average U.S. upland bale at 491.4 lb net for the 2025 crop, after 490.5 lb in 2024. At 28 lb/ft³, a bale of that weight takes up about 17.6 cubic feet.
Worked examples
Bale density comes from the Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee's specification; bale weight from USDA's ginnings report.
Average U.S. cotton bale — class 65
491.4 lb net (USDA, 2025 crop) at the minimum universal density of 28 lb/ft³.
Volume = 491.4 lb ÷ 28 lb/ft³ = 17.6 ft³.
28 lb/ft³ → class 65; a bale pressed denser than 30 lb/ft³ rates class 60.
Bale rules
USDA's loan rules (7 CFR 1427.5) require an eligible bale to weigh at least 325 lb net; bales over 600 lb are pledged at 600 lb, and bales must use packaging approved by the industry's packaging committee. USDA's Economic Research Service counts cotton in 480 lb statistical bales.
For a shipper, that means bale weights vary within a known range, and each bale should be weighed rather than counted at an average when the bill of lading is written.
Fabric and finished textiles
Fabric on rolls and boxed linens are far lighter for their size than baled fiber, and they vary too much to give one figure. Measure the roll or carton as packed: a roll is billed as the square around it, so a pallet of rolls rates higher than the same fabric folded in cartons.
Keep textiles dry and covered. Wet fiber and fabric gain weight, can mildew and stain, and a damp load is a common source of claims.
Check your textile shipment
Enter the bale, roll or pallet size and the weight. Baled fiber will rate low; rolls and cartons of fabric much higher.
Density-based estimate. Some commodities carry a fixed NMFC class — check our freight class by commodity pages.
Estimated Freight Class
Density
32.49
lb/ft³
Volume
53.33
ft³
Weight
1,733
lb
30–35 lb/ft³ → Class 60
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 is cotton?
A cotton bale rates about class 65, because bales are pressed to at least 28 lb per cubic foot; denser bales rate class 60.
How much does a bale of cotton weigh?
USDA reports an average of 491.4 lb net per U.S. upland bale for the 2025 crop. USDA counts cotton in 480 lb statistical bales.
How big is a cotton bale?
A gin universal density bale is pressed in a box about 20 to 21 by 54 to 55 inches, to at least 28 lb per cubic foot.
What freight class is fabric on rolls?
It varies with the fabric and roll size. Rolls are billed as the square around them, so measure and weigh each pallet as packed.