What is freight class 125?
6 to under 8 lb/ft³ — sub-provision 5 of the NMFC density scale.
A shipment rates class 125 when its density falls in that band. On a standard 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet (53.3 ft³) that is roughly 320 to 427 lb . Density is total weight divided by total cubic feet, including the pallet.
Class 125 in the density scale
| Sub | Density | Class | Pallet weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 – 6 lb/ft³ | 175 | 213 – 320 lb |
| 5 | 6 – 8 lb/ft³ | 125 ← this class | 320 – 427 lb |
| 6 | 8 – 10 lb/ft³ | 100 | 427 – 533 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 125
To reach class 100 (cheaper): get density to 8 lb/ft³ or above — about 427 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 175 (dearer) if density falls below 6 lb/ft³ — under about 320 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 125
- Small household appliances
- Packaged light fixtures
- Boxed housewares
- Retail display units
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 125 mistake worth knowing
Class 125 covers 6 to under 8 lb/ft³. It is the most-searched single class, and the reason is that it is the first band where the freight is visibly 'light and bulky' — the point at which shippers start noticing the bill and go looking for why.
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.