Freight class, explained

Last updated: July 16, 2026 · Written by the GET Express freight desk

Freight class is a number from 50 to 500 that LTL carriers use to price your shipment. Lower classes are cheaper. It comes from the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system, and it's set mainly by your freight's density (weight per cubic foot), plus how it stows, how easily it's handled, and how prone it is to damage or theft.

Density does most of the work. Heavy, compact freight lands in a low, cheap class. Light, bulky freight lands in a high, expensive one. Here's the density-to-class guideline carriers start from:

Density (lbs / cu ft)	Typical class	Example
50+	50	Bricks, dense machinery
35–50	55	Bagged cement, hardware
30–35	60	Car parts, canned goods
22.5–30	65	Bottled beverages, books
15–22.5	70	Boxed food, engine parts
13.5–15	77.5	Tires, bathroom fixtures
12–13.5	85	Crated machinery, cabinets
10.5–12	92.5	Appliances, computers
9–10.5	100	Boxed apparel, canvas
8–9	110	Framed art, cabinets
7–8	125	Small household appliances
6–7	150	Auto sheet metal, furniture
5–6	175	Clothing, upholstered couches
4–5	200	Aluminum, packaged mattresses
3–4	250	Bamboo furniture, flat TVs
2–3	300	Wood cabinets, tables
1–2	400	Deer antlers, light fixtures
Under 1	500	Ping-pong balls, gold dust

Density-based guideline only. Your actual NMFC class can also depend on stowability, handling, and liability, and some commodities have a fixed class regardless of density. We confirm your exact class before you book, at no charge.

To find your density: multiply length × width × height (in inches) to get cubic inches, divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divide your total weight by that number. Not sure? Send us the dimensions and weight and we'll class it for you.

Getting the class right up front matters because carriers can reweigh and re-measure freight at their terminal. If what's on the bill of lading doesn't match what actually ships, the invoice changes after the fact. See how a bill of lading works for the full picture of what travels with your freight, or read how to ship your first pallet if this is your first LTL shipment.