What is freight class 85?
12 to under 15 lb/ft³ — sub-provision 8 of the NMFC density scale.
A shipment rates class 85 when its density falls in that band. On a standard 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet (53.3 ft³) that is roughly 640 to 800 lb . Density is total weight divided by total cubic feet, including the pallet.
Class 85 in the density scale
| Sub | Density | Class | Pallet weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 10 – 12 lb/ft³ | 92.5 | 533 – 640 lb |
| 8 | 12 – 15 lb/ft³ | 85 ← this class | 640 – 800 lb |
| 9 | 15 – 22.5 lb/ft³ | 70 | 800 – 1,200 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 85
To reach class 70 (cheaper): get density to 15 lb/ft³ or above — about 800 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 92.5 (dearer) if density falls below 12 lb/ft³ — under about 640 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 85
- Crated machinery
- Cast-iron stoves
- Assembled transmissions
- Dense electrical equipment
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 85 mistake worth knowing
Class 85 covers 12 to under 15 lb/ft³. Its lower edge is a common reclass point: drop under 12 and you land in 92.5, which on a full pallet is a difference of only about 160 lb.
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.