Freight Density & Freight Class Calculator

Enter the dimensions and weight of each handling unit to get its density in pounds per cubic foot and an estimated NMFC freight class for LTL shipping, using the 13-tier density scale in effect since July 2025.

Measure each pallet or crate at its longest, widest and tallest points, including the pallet and any overhang. Weight should include packaging and the pallet.

Estimated class
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Density
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Total volume
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Total weight
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Estimate only. Many commodities have their own NMFC item with a different class, and items with handling, stowability or liability issues are not classed on density alone. Confirm the class with your carrier before you ship.

NMFC standard density scale (13 subs, effective July 19, 2025)

SubDensity (lb/ft³)Class

How freight density and freight class work

Less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers in North America price shipments partly by freight class, a number from 50 to 500 published in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). Lower classes are dense, easy-to-handle freight and get cheaper rates per hundredweight; higher classes are light, bulky freight that takes up trailer space without filling the trailer’s weight capacity. Since the NMFC’s Docket 2025-1 changes took effect on July 19, 2025, density is the primary factor for most commodities, measured in pounds per cubic foot (pcf).

The formula

Density is total weight divided by total cubic volume:

Cubic feet = (L × W × H in inches) ÷ 1,728 Density (pcf) = total weight (lb) ÷ total cubic feet

For metric input, the calculator converts centimetres to cubic metres (L × W × H ÷ 1,000,000), then to cubic feet (1 m³ = 35.3147 ft³), and kilograms to pounds (1 kg = 2.20462 lb). The density is then matched against the 13 density brackets shown in the table above. For reference, 1 pcf equals 16.02 kg/m³.

Worked example

A standard 48 × 40 inch pallet stacked 48 inches high weighs 500 lb including the pallet.

  • Volume: 48 × 40 × 48 = 92,160 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 53.33 ft³
  • Density: 500 ÷ 53.33 = 9.38 pcf
  • 9.38 falls in the “8 but less than 10” bracket, so the estimated class is 100.

If the same pallet were packed more tightly to 36 inches high, the volume would drop to 40 ft³ and the density would rise to 12.5 pcf — class 85. Cutting empty space is the most reliable way to lower your class and your bill.

Tips for accurate results

  • Measure the extremes. Carriers measure the full outer dimensions, including pallet overhang and any product sticking out. Round up to the next inch, as most carriers do.
  • Use the shipping weight. Include the pallet, wrap and packaging.
  • Multiple pieces. For a shipment of several pallets, add each one as a line. The calculator uses the combined weight and volume, which is how a single-commodity shipment is usually rated.
  • Check for a specific NMFC item. Some products have a fixed class or their own density scale. Your carrier or the NMFTA’s ClassIT+ service can confirm.

Frequently asked questions

What changed in the NMFC density scale in 2025?

Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025, expanded the standard density scale from 11 to 13 subprovisions and made density the main basis for classifying most commodities. The new top brackets are 30 to under 35 pcf (class 60), 35 to under 50 pcf (class 55) and 50 pcf or more (class 50).

Is the freight class from this calculator guaranteed?

No. It is an estimate based on the standard density scale. Your product may have a specific NMFC item number with a different class, and carriers can inspect, re-measure and re-class a shipment. Confirm with your carrier before booking.

How do I calculate cubic feet for a pallet?

Multiply length, width and height in inches, then divide by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot). A 48 x 40 x 48 inch pallet is 92,160 cubic inches, or 53.33 cubic feet.

Why does lower density mean a higher freight class?

Light, bulky freight fills a trailer before it reaches the trailer’s weight limit, so the carrier earns less per foot of space. A higher class means a higher rate per hundred pounds to compensate.

Can I use centimetres and kilograms?

Yes. Switch the units to cm / kg and the calculator converts to cubic feet and pounds automatically, and also shows density in kg/m³.