What is freight class 100?
8 to under 10 lb/ft³ — sub-provision 6 of the NMFC density scale.
A shipment rates class 100 when its density falls in that band. On a standard 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet (53.3 ft³) that is roughly 427 to 533 lb . Density is total weight divided by total cubic feet, including the pallet.
Class 100 in the density scale
| Sub | Density | Class | Pallet weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 – 8 lb/ft³ | 125 | 320 – 427 lb |
| 6 | 8 – 10 lb/ft³ | 100 ← this class | 427 – 533 lb |
| 7 | 10 – 12 lb/ft³ | 92.5 | 533 – 640 lb |
Bounds are inclusive at the bottom and exclusive at the top ("X but less than Y"). Pallet weights assume a standard 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet at 53.3 ft³.
How to move out of class 100
To reach class 92.5 (cheaper): get density to 10 lb/ft³ or above — about 533 lb on a standard pallet. Either add weight in the same cube, or shrink the cube at the same weight: tighter stacking, no pallet overhang, disassembly.
You slip to class 125 (dearer) if density falls below 8 lb/ft³ — under about 427 lb on the same pallet. Oversized cartons, void fill and pallet overhang are what usually cause this, not the goods themselves.
What typically ships at class 100
- Canvas and boat covers
- Wine and liquor cases
- Car covers
- Light assembled goods
Examples are illustrative of typical density, not classification rulings. A commodity's actual class comes from its NMFC item; density decides it only where that item is density-based.
The class 100 mistake worth knowing
Class 100 is the default people assume when they do not know the class — and it is wrong about as often as it is right. It is a real density band (8 to under 10 lb/ft³), not a safe fallback; guessing 100 on a 4 lb/ft³ shipment invites a reclass plus fees.
Measure your actual shipment with the freight class calculator — it applies the July 19, 2025 scale and shows how far you are from the next class in both directions.