Freight class calculator
Enter pallet dimensions and weight to get density and an estimated class. This free tool from GET Express doubles as a freight density calculator, runs in your browser, and needs no login.
Enter the dimensions and the weight, and the estimate appears here.
Class –estimated
Estimate only. Freight class is set by the NMFC, and some commodities carry a fixed class regardless of density. We confirm the class before booking, free, with every quote.
How the freight class calculator works
- Measure the pallet as it ships. Length, width and height in inches, with the pallet and any overhang.
- Weigh it. Total weight in pounds, with the pallet and the wrap.
- Read the class. Length × width × height ÷ 1,728 gives cubic feet. Weight ÷ cubic feet gives density. The calculator finds that density on the chart below.
Here is one worked through. A pallet of 48 by 40 by 48 inches takes up 53.3 cubic feet. At 900 lb, that is 900 ÷ 53.3 = 16.9 lb per cubic foot, which lands in class 70. Measuring in centimeters, or need only the volume? Use the cubic feet calculator.
Freight class examples on the same 48 by 40 pallet
| Height | Weight | Density (lb/cu ft) | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56 in | 900 lb | 14.5 | 85 |
| 72 in | 400 lb | 5.0 | 175 |
| 36 in | 1,500 lb | 37.5 | 55 |
Compare the first row with the pallet above. The weight is the same, but eight more inches of height drops the density under 15 and moves the class from 70 to 85. Measure to the tallest point, because the carrier will.
Freight class chart: density to class
Denser freight lands in a lower class, and a lower class is the basis for a lower rate.
| Density (lb / cu ft) | Class |
|---|---|
| 50 or more | 50 |
| 35–50 | 55 |
| 30–35 | 60 |
| 22.5–30 | 65 |
| 15–22.5 | 70 |
| 12–15 | 85 |
| 10–12 | 92.5 |
| 8–10 | 100 |
| 6–8 | 125 |
| 4–6 | 175 |
| 2–4 | 250 |
| 1–2 | 300 |
| Under 1 | 400 |
Source: NMFTA Docket 2025-1, the 13-tier density scale in effect since July 19, 2025. It applies to items the NMFC classes by density.
When density does not set the class
Some commodities carry a fixed class in the NMFC whatever they weigh, so treat this number as an estimate. Read how to do an NMFC code lookup to find the item for your product. Carriers inspect and reweigh freight, and a freight reclass rebills the difference when the bill of lading does not match the load. For the full picture, read what is freight class.
Questions shippers ask
How do I calculate freight class?
Multiply length, width and height in inches, then divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet. Divide the weight in pounds by the cubic feet. That density points to a class on the NMFTA density scale.
What is freight density?
Freight density is weight per cubic foot: the shipment’s weight in pounds divided by the space it takes up in cubic feet. It is the main input to freight class.
Is the calculator’s class the official class?
No. It is an estimate from density. The NMFC item for your product sets the official class, and some items keep a fixed class whatever the density. We confirm the class before you book.
Should I include the pallet in the measurements?
Yes. Measure and weigh the freight as it ships, with the pallet, the wrap and any overhang.
Skip the math entirely
Skip the freight class calculator and send us the shipment: we work out the class, the mode, and the rate. You just tell us what and where.