Freight Class Calculator
Enter your pallet dimensions and weight to see your shipment’s density and estimated freight class on the 2025 NMFC scale.
Measure the whole palletized shipment, not just the boxes. Include the pallet, overhang and shrink wrap, measured at the tallest and widest points. Weight includes the pallet too.
Estimated freight class
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Fill in every pallet to see your class.
- Pallets
- —
- Total weight
- — lbs
- Total volume
- — cu ft
- Density
- — lbs/cu ft
This is a density-based estimate. Some freight is classed differently because of its value, fragility, size, handling needs, hazmat status or its own NMFC listing. Confirm your NMFC item number before you ship. Based on the NMFTA 13-tier density scale effective July 19, 2025. Built by Coast to Coast Fulfillment, a Rhode Island 3PL with more than 30 years of experience.
How to Calculate Freight Class
Freight class is one of 18 NMFC ratings, from class 50 to class 500, that LTL carriers use to price your shipment. Since July 19, 2025, most freight is classed by density, using 13 of those 18 classes: multiply length × width × height in inches, divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divide total weight by cubic feet. That density number sets your class, and the calculator above does the math for you.
What Freight Classes Mean
Class 50 to 65: Heavy and Compact
Densities of 22.5 lbs per cubic foot or more. Think bricks, cement, steel parts and bottled beverages. This is the cheapest freight to ship per pound.
Class 70 to 100: Dense, Everyday Freight
Densities from 8 to 22.5 lbs per cubic foot. Most palletized goods land here, like canned food, auto parts and boxed hardware.
Class 125 to 175: Lighter, Roomier Freight
Densities from 4 to 8 lbs per cubic foot. Small appliances, boxed apparel and furniture parts take up more trailer space for their weight, so they cost more per pound.
Class 250 to 400: Light and Bulky
Densities under 4 lbs per cubic foot. Mattresses, assembled furniture and lamp shades fill a truck long before they get heavy. This is the most expensive freight to ship per pound.
Class 500 and In-Between Classes
The NMFC also includes classes 77.5, 110, 150, 200 and 500. These are not on the density scale and apply only to specific commodity listings, so check your NMFC item number if your freight is unusually light, valuable or hard to handle.
How to Measure a Pallet for Freight Class
Measure the full palletized shipment at its longest, widest and tallest points, including the pallet, overhang and shrink wrap. Round each dimension up to the nearest inch, and weigh everything together. If your numbers come in low, a carrier reweigh can bump you to a higher class and add a fee.
2025 NMFC Freight Class Chart
13 density tiers, effective July 2025
| Density (lbs per cubic foot) | Freight class |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 | 400 |
| 1 but less than 2 | 300 |
| 2 but less than 4 | 250 |
| 4 but less than 6 | 175 |
| 6 but less than 8 | 125 |
| 8 but less than 10 | 100 |
| 10 but less than 12 | 92.5 |
| 12 but less than 15 | 85 |
| 15 but less than 22.5 | 70 |
| 22.5 but less than 30 | 65 |
| 30 but less than 35 | 60 |
| 35 but less than 50 | 55 |
| 50 or more | 50 |
Example: two pallets at 48 × 40 × 48 inches and 500 lbs each total 106.67 cubic feet and 1,000 lbs. That is 9.38 lbs per cubic foot, or class 100. Source: NMFTA.
Freight Class FAQs
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Freight class is a standardized rating from 50 to 500 that LTL carriers use to price shipments based on density, handling, stowability and liability. The NMFTA publishes it in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC).
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Divide your shipment's weight by its volume in cubic feet to get density, then match it to the NMFC chart. Volume is length × width × height in inches, divided by 1,728.
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There is no single freight class for a pallet. Class depends on density, so a pallet of canned goods might ship at class 65 while a pallet of pillows ships at class 300. Enter your pallet's dimensions and weight in the calculator above to find yours.
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On July 19, 2025, the NMFTA expanded the density scale from 11 tiers to 13 and moved thousands of commodities to density-based classing. The new classes 50 and 55 can lower costs for very dense freight.
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Yes. Lower classes mean denser freight, which costs less per pound to move. Class 50 is the least expensive and class 500 is the most.
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Your NMFC code identifies what you are shipping, and your freight class sets its price tier. Many NMFC items now point to the density scale, so the item tells carriers how to class your freight and its density decides the class.
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NMFC item numbers are published by the NMFTA through its subscription tool, ClassIT+. Your carrier, freight broker or 3PL can also help you look one up.
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No. Freight class applies only to LTL freight. Parcel carriers like UPS, FedEx and USPS price by actual or dimensional weight instead. Try our DIM Calculator for parcel shipments.
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Not always. Some freight is classed differently because of value, fragility, hazmat or handling needs. Confirm your NMFC item number before booking, since carriers can reclass and rebill shipments listed at the wrong class.
Ship Freight Without the Guesswork
Freight class is just one piece of getting B2B and retail shipments out the door right.
Book a free consultation with Coast to Coast Fulfillment and see how our Rhode Island 3PL team handles warehousing, palletizing and distribution for growing brands.