What is freight class 55?
35 to under 50 lb/ft³ — sub-provision 12 of the NMFC density scale.
A shipment rates class 55 when its density falls in that band. On a standard 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet (53.3 ft³) that is roughly 1,867 to 2,667 lb . Density is total weight divided by total cubic feet, including the pallet.
Class 55 in the density scale
| Sub | Density | Class | Pallet weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 30 – 35 lb/ft³ | 60 | 1,600 – 1,867 lb |
| 12 | 35 – 50 lb/ft³ | 55 ← this class | 1,867 – 2,667 lb |
| 13 | 50+ lb/ft³ | 50 | 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 55
To reach class 50 (cheaper): get density to 50 lb/ft³ or above — about 2,667 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 60 (dearer) if density falls below 35 lb/ft³ — under about 1,867 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 55
- Hardwood flooring
- Mortar and grout
- Ceramic tile
- Dense packaged hardware
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 55 mistake worth knowing
Class 55 covers 35 up to 50 lb/ft³, and its top edge is the single most valuable boundary in LTL — crossing it drops you to class 50. A pallet only needs about 2,667 lb to get there, which is inside the range of a normal tile or flooring shipment.
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.