Updated for the NMFC density scale effective July 19, 2025

LTL freight class calculator

Enter the size and weight of your pallets or boxes to get the density and estimated freight class in seconds — built on the current 13-tier NMFC density scale. Free, no sign-up, and it handles multiple pieces.

✓ Multiple pallets & pieces ✓ in / ft / cm / mm & lb / kg ✓ Shareable result link ✓ Runs in your browser

Shipment details

Dimensions

Weight

Tip: enter the per-unit weight; quantity is multiplied in.

Estimated freight class

—

Enter dimensions and weight for at least one piece to see the estimated class and matched density tier.

NMFC density chart (2025)

This is the standard density-based freight class scale that took effect on July 19, 2025. When you run the calculator above, the matching row is highlighted automatically. The scale runs from Class 50 for the densest freight down to Class 400 for the lightest.

Use it as a quick reference: find your density in the middle column and read across to the freight class.

Need a wall copy for the warehouse? Open the printable freight class chart — it adds per-pallet weight ranges and prints on one sheet.

NMFC density-based freight class scale effective July 19, 2025
Sub	Density (lb/ft³)	Freight Class
1	Less than 1	400
2	1 – 2	300
3	2 – 4	250
4	4 – 6	175
5	6 – 8	125
6	8 – 10	100
7	10 – 12	92.5
8	12 – 15	85
9	15 – 22.5	70
10	22.5 – 30	65
11	30 – 35	60
12	35 – 50	55
13	50 or more	50

Higher density → lower freight class (and usually lower cost). The official density scale maps only to the 13 classes above; classes such as 77.5, 110, 150, 200, and 500 apply only to commodities with special handling, stowability, or liability factors.

Last reviewed July 2026 — the 13-tier density scale is unchanged since Docket 2025-1 and was reaffirmed in Docket 2026-1. Not affiliated with NMFTA.

What changed on July 19, 2025

In its largest overhaul in years, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) moved roughly 2,000 commodity listings toward a density-based classification model under Docket 2025-1. For general freight without special handling, stowability, or liability concerns, your freight class is now determined by your shipment's density.

The old 11-tier density scale was replaced with a 13-tier scale. The change added two new low classes for very dense freight — Class 55 (35 to under 50 lb/ft³) and Class 50 (50 lb/ft³ and above). Heavy, compact shipments that were previously capped at Class 60 can now qualify for cheaper classes.

Practically, this means accurate measurements matter more than ever: the same box that rated one class before could rate differently now, and the difference shows up directly in your rate.

Worked example

One 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet at 350 lb

Volume = 48 × 40 × 48 ÷ 1,728 53.33 ft³
Density = 350 ÷ 53.33 6.56 lb/ft³
Tier = 6 to under 8 lb/ft³ (Sub 5) Class 125
Add ~77 lb (same size) → Class 100

Reaching 8 lb/ft³ (the next tier) at this size needs about 427 lb — roughly 77 lb more — to drop from Class 125 to Class 100.

How to use this LTL freight class calculator

Less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers price every shipment using a freight class from the National Motor Freight Classification, and for most general commodities that class now comes straight from your density. This free online freight class calculator turns your pallet or carton measurements into a density figure and an estimated NMFC class using the 13-tier scale effective July 19, 2025 — so you can quote, audit, or sanity-check a rate before you book.

Start by entering the length, width, and height of your first piece and its weight. You can switch dimensions between inches, feet, centimeters, and millimeters, and weight between pounds and kilograms; the calculator converts everything for you. Shipping more than one pallet or box? Use Add piece to enter each one separately. The tool sums the weight and the cubic volume of every piece and divides them to produce a single blended shipment density — exactly how a carrier rates a multi-piece LTL shipment. There is no sign-up, no email wall, and no quote funnel; every calculation runs locally in your browser.

Why density decides your freight class

Density is weight relative to space: pounds per cubic foot. To find it, multiply length × width × height in inches, divide by 1,728 to convert to cubic feet, then divide the shipment weight by that volume. A higher density places your freight in a lower class number, and a lower class generally costs less to ship. That is why a tightly packed, heavy pallet is cheaper per pound than a light, bulky one that eats trailer space. The accurate online freight class chart on this page shows every density range and the class it maps to.

Get accurate results

For the most accurate freight class, measure the shipment exactly as it will be tendered. Include the pallet, packaging, and any overhang in your dimensions, and include the pallet's weight — a standard wood pallet adds roughly 5–6 inches of height and 30–50 pounds. Round fractional inches up rather than down, since carriers re-measure and a reweigh or re-class fee is far more expensive than a careful estimate. Keep in mind that density determines class only for commodities without special handling, stowability, or liability rules; some items carry a fixed NMFC class regardless of density. When that applies, confirm the binding class with your carrier or the NMFTA ClassIT system. Used this way, the calculator is a fast, free way to estimate LTL freight class for single or multiple pallets and to understand exactly how the 2025 density rules affect your shipping cost.

Common freight classes by density

On the 2025 density scale, very dense freight of 50 lb/ft³ or more is Class 50 — the lowest and cheapest class. Class 55 covers 35 to under 50 lb/ft³, Class 70 spans 15 to under 22.5 lb/ft³, and Class 125 falls between 6 and 8 lb/ft³. Lighter shipments climb the scale: Class 175 is roughly 4 to 6 lb/ft³ and Class 250 is about 2 to 4 lb/ft³, up to Class 400 for anything under 1 lb/ft³. Because the breakpoints are fixed, a small change in weight or dimensions can move a shipment into a cheaper or more expensive class — which is exactly what the calculator highlights when it shows the matching row and how far you are from the next tier.

How to lower your freight class

Because a lower class number usually means a lower rate, the goal is to raise density. Consolidating several light cartons onto one pallet, removing excess void space, and stacking to a stable height all pack more weight into less volume. Before you re-palletize, run both layouts through the calculator: it shows the density and class for each, and the round-up guidance tells you how much weight you would need to add, or how much volume to remove, to reach the next class down. That makes it easy to see when tightening a load actually changes the class — and when it will not — so you only re-work the shipments where it pays off.

The 18 standard NMFC freight classes

For reference, here are all 18 freight classes in the NMFC system. The 2025 density scale above assigns 13 of them automatically by density; the remaining classes (77.5, 110, 150, 200, 500) apply when handling, stowability, or liability factors are involved. To see where common commodities typically land, check the freight class by commodity guide.

50
55
60
65
70
77.5
85
92.5
100
110
125
150
175
200
250
300
400
500

Frequently asked questions

What is freight class?

Freight class is a standardized code from the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) that LTL carriers use to rate and price shipments. There are 18 classes, from 50 (dense, low-cost) up to 500 (light, bulky, high-cost). A commodity's class reflects how easy and economical it is to transport, based on four factors: density, handling, stowability, and liability.

How is freight class calculated?

For most general commodities under the NMFC rules effective July 19, 2025, freight class is set by density — the shipment's weight in pounds per cubic foot. You calculate the density, then read the class from the NMFC density scale. This calculator does the unit conversions, blends multiple pieces, and looks up the class for you. Items with special handling, stowability, or liability concerns may carry a fixed class instead.

What is the freight density formula?

Density (lb/ft³) = total weight in pounds ÷ total volume in cubic feet. To get cubic feet, multiply length × width × height in inches and divide by 1,728. For example, a 48 × 40 × 48-inch pallet is 53.3 ft³, so at 350 lb its density is about 6.6 lb/ft³. The calculator handles these conversions automatically.

What other factors besides density determine freight class?

The NMFC rates commodities on four characteristics: density, handling, stowability, and liability. Most general freight is now density-based, so this calculator estimates class from density. But fragile, hazardous, hard-to-stow, or high-value goods can be assigned a fixed class regardless of density. Always confirm the binding class and NMFC item number with your carrier.

How do I find my freight class?

Enter each piece's length, width, height, and weight above — in inches, feet, cm, or mm, and pounds or kilograms. The calculator computes your total density and shows the estimated freight class instantly, with the matching density tier highlighted. For several pallets or boxes, use “Add piece” to blend them into one shipment density.

How do I determine freight class for an LTL shipment?

For an LTL (less-than-truckload) shipment, calculate the density of everything you're tendering: add up the weight and the cubic volume of every pallet or piece, then divide total weight by total volume. Match that density to the NMFC scale to get your class. This tool does it for one or many pieces — just enter your dimensions and weights above.

How do I calculate freight class for multiple pallets or pieces?

Add the weight of every piece and the cubic volume of every piece, then divide the total weight by the total volume to get one blended density for the whole shipment. Use the “Add piece” button above to enter each pallet or box with its quantity and dimensions; the calculator blends them and returns a single freight class automatically.

How do I calculate the density of a pallet?

Measure the loaded pallet's total length, width, and height — including the pallet itself and any overhang — and weigh it. Multiply the three dimensions in inches, divide by 1,728 for cubic feet, then divide the total weight by that volume. Example: a 48 × 40 × 48-inch pallet weighing 350 lb is 53.3 ft³, or about 6.6 lb/ft³.

What freight class is a pallet?

There's no single class for “a pallet” — it depends on the loaded pallet's density. A light, bulky pallet can land at Class 175 or higher, while a dense, heavy one can be Class 70, 60, or lower. Enter your pallet's dimensions and weight above to get its exact class on the 2025 density scale.

Do I include the pallet's weight and height?

Yes. Carriers rate the shipment as tendered, so include the pallet, packaging, and any load overhang in your dimensions, and add the pallet's weight to the total. A typical wood pallet adds about 5–6 inches of height and 30–50 lb — leaving it out understates your density and can give the wrong class.

What changed in the NMFC freight classification on July 19, 2025?

On July 19, 2025, the NMFTA (Docket 2025-1) moved roughly 2,000 commodity listings to a density-based system and expanded the density scale from 11 tiers to 13. It added two brackets at the dense end — Class 55 (35 to under 50 lb/ft³) and Class 50 (50 lb/ft³ and up) — so heavy, compact freight that was previously capped at Class 60 can now reach the lowest, cheapest classes.

Why did my freight class change in 2025?

If your commodity was reclassified to be density-based, its class is now driven by your actual shipment density instead of a fixed number. Depending on how dense your freight is, your class — and your rate — may have gone up or down compared with the old commodity-based class. Recalculate with current dimensions and weight to see where you land.

How many freight classes are there?

There are 18 standard NMFC freight classes: 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 77.5, 85, 92.5, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 400, and 500. The 2025 density scale maps to 13 of them. The other five — 77.5, 110, 150, 200, and 500 — generally apply only when handling, stowability, or liability factors are involved, not from density alone.

What is the lowest and highest freight class?

Class 50 is the lowest and cheapest, reserved for very dense freight of 50 lb/ft³ or more. Class 500 is the highest, for very light, bulky, or fragile freight. On the pure density scale, the lightest tier — under 1 lb/ft³ — is Class 400; Class 500 applies only when other NMFC factors are present.

What is freight class 50?

Class 50 is the lowest and cheapest freight class, used for very dense shipments of 50 lb/ft³ or more, such as compact machinery or metal. Class 50 itself isn't new, but the 2025 update added it to the density scale, so density-rated freight can reach it for the first time. If your shipment's density is 50 lb/ft³ or higher, this calculator returns Class 50.

What is freight class 70?

On the 2025 density scale, Class 70 covers freight with a density of 15 to under 22.5 lb/ft³ — moderately dense shipments such as many machine parts, auto components, or packaged goods. Enter your dimensions and weight above to check whether your shipment lands in the Class 70 density range; carriers may assign a different class for special commodities.

What is freight class 125?

On the 2025 density scale, Class 125 covers freight with a density of 6 to under 8 lb/ft³ — fairly light shipments such as many assembled goods or appliances. A 48 × 40 × 48-inch pallet at 350 lb (about 6.6 lb/ft³) is a Class 125 example. Enter your numbers above to check your class.

Does higher density mean a lower freight class?

Yes. The denser your shipment, the lower the freight class number — and a lower class usually means a lower rate. That's why consolidating or compacting freight can cut shipping cost. The calculator shows how much more weight or less volume it would take to reach the next-lower class.

Is freight class based on weight or size?

Both. For density-rated commodities, freight class is based on density, which combines weight and size (volume). Two shipments of the same weight can land in very different classes if one is far more compact. That's why you need both accurate dimensions and weight to get the right class.

What is an NMFC code, and how is it different from freight class?

An NMFC item number identifies a specific commodity — say, a particular machine or plastic product — while the freight class is the rating tier assigned to it. A single NMFC item can be density-based, meaning its class depends on the density you calculate. This tool estimates the density-based class; your carrier or the NMFTA's ClassIT can confirm the exact NMFC item number.

How do I find my NMFC code?

NMFC item numbers come from the NMFTA's classification system (ClassIT), and your LTL carrier or freight broker can look up the correct item number for your commodity. This calculator estimates the density-based freight class, which drives the rate for most general goods, but it doesn't assign the specific NMFC item number — confirm that with your carrier.

How accurate is this density-based freight class estimate?

The density-to-class math is exact and matches the official 2025 NMFC density scale, so for general, density-rated commodities the estimate is reliable. It won't reflect a different class assigned because of special handling, stowability, or liability rules, so always confirm the binding class with your carrier before shipping.

Is this freight class calculator free?

Yes. It's completely free, with no sign-up, login, or email required, and it runs entirely in your browser — nothing you enter is sent to a server. Use it as often as you like for single pallets or multi-piece LTL shipments.