What is freight class 50?
50 lb/ft³ or more — sub-provision 13 of the NMFC density scale.
A shipment rates class 50 when its density falls in that band. On a standard 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet (53.3 ft³) that is roughly 2,667 lb or more . Density is total weight divided by total cubic feet, including the pallet.
Class 50 in the density scale
| Sub | Density | Class | Pallet weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 35 – 50 lb/ft³ | 55 | 1,867 – 2,667 lb |
| 13 | 50+ lb/ft³ | 50 ← this class | 2,667+ 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 50
There is nothing cheaper. Class 50 is the lowest class on the scale and has no upper density limit, so adding more weight cannot improve the rating further.
You slip to class 55 (dearer) if density falls below 50 lb/ft³ — under about 2,667 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 50
- Bricks and concrete block
- Nuts, bolts and fasteners in kegs
- Steel bar and plate
- Sand, cement and aggregate
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 50 mistake worth knowing
Class 50 is the cheapest class there is, and it has no upper density limit — 50 lb/ft³ and 200 lb/ft³ rate identically. Once a shipment is over the line there is nothing to gain by making it denser, so stop paying to add weight.
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.