What is freight class?
What is freight class? The number that drives your LTL price, in plain English, with the freight class density chart and a live calculator that shows how freight class is calculated.
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:
The freight class density chart
| Density (lb / 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. Or let the estimator below do it.
How freight class is calculated: work out yours
Measure one pallet or piece as it ships, enter the total weight, and the estimate appears. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Enter the dimensions and the weight, and the estimate appears here.
Class —estimated
Estimate only. Some commodities carry a fixed class regardless of density. We confirm the class before booking, free, with every quote.
Why getting it right up front matters
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 what is a bill of lading for the full picture of what travels with your freight, or read how to ship a pallet if this is your first LTL shipment.
What is freight class? Quick answers
What is freight class?
Freight class is a number from 50 to 500 that LTL carriers use to price a shipment, set by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system. It is based mainly on density (weight per cubic foot), plus stowability, handling, and liability. Lower classes are cheaper; heavy, compact freight lands in a low class and light, bulky freight in a high one.
How do I calculate my freight’s density?
Multiply length by width by height in inches to get cubic inches, divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divide your total weight by that number. The result is pounds per cubic foot, which you match against a density-to-class guideline.
Can my freight class change after I book?
Yes. Carriers can reweigh and re-measure freight at their terminal, and if the actual class doesn’t match what was declared, the invoice changes. Getting the class confirmed accurately before you book is the best way to avoid this.
Skip the guesswork
Still unsure what is freight class for your load? Send us your dimensions and weight and we confirm your exact class, free, with every quote.