# Freight class calculator

Freight density = total weight (lb) ÷ total volume (ft³), measured per handling unit including the pallet; cubic feet = L × W × H in inches ÷ 1,728. Example: 48 × 40 × 48 in, 500 lb = 53.33 ft³ and 9.38 lb/ft³, class 100 on the density scale.

Interactive calculator: https://cartonmath.com/freight-class-calculator/
URL parameters: unit=in|cm (in with lb, cm with kg), l, w, h, wt (weight per handling unit), qty.

## NMFC general density scale (effective 19 July 2025)

| Density (lb/ft3) | Class |
|---|---|
| 50 or more | 50 |
| 35 to under 50 | 55 |
| 30 to under 35 | 60 |
| 22.5 to under 30 | 65 |
| 15 to under 22.5 | 70 |
| 12 to under 15 | 85 |
| 10 to under 12 | 92.5 |
| 8 to under 10 | 100 |
| 6 to under 8 | 125 |
| 4 to under 6 | 175 |
| 2 to under 4 | 250 |
| 1 to under 2 | 300 |
| Less than 1 | 400 |

Estimate only: many commodities have a specific NMFC class, and the carrier's classification governs.

## Worked example

1. Measure the unit, with the pallet: 48 × 40 × 48 in
2. Cubic inches: 48 × 40 × 48 = 92,160 in³
3. Cubic feet: 92,160 ÷ 1,728 = 53.33 ft³
4. Density: 500 lb ÷ 53.33 ft³ = 9.38 lb/ft³
5. Density scale: 8 to under 10 lb/ft³ = class 100

## FAQ

**How do I calculate freight class?**
Measure each handling unit at its longest, widest and highest points including the pallet, multiply the inches and divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divide the total weight in pounds by the cubic feet. That density in pounds per cubic foot (pcf) is matched to a class on the density scale; many commodities, though, have a specific class in the NMFC, and the carrier's classification governs.

**What is freight density?**
Weight per unit of volume: pounds per cubic foot (pcf) in US LTL freight. A 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet weighing 500 lb is 53.33 ft³, so its density is about 9.4 pcf.

**What freight class is 10 pounds per cubic foot?**
On the density scale effective 19 July 2025, 10 to under 12 pcf is class 92.5 and 8 to under 10 pcf is class 100.

**Did freight classes change in 2025?**
Yes. NMFC Docket 2025-1, effective 19 July 2025, expanded the general density scale to 13 subprovisions from class 50 to class 400 and moved many commodities to density-based classes. Older 11-tier charts are out of date.

**Is a higher freight class more expensive?**
Generally yes. Lower density freight takes more trailer space per pound, so it gets a higher class and a higher rate per hundredweight. Class 50 is the densest and cheapest per pound; class 400 the lightest and most expensive.

**Does this calculator give the official NMFC class?**
No. It estimates the class from density on the general scale. The National Motor Freight Classification assigns many items a specific class or their own density scale, and handling, stowability and liability can change it. Check with your carrier or the NMFTA's ClassIT+ before you ship.

Source page: https://cartonmath.com/freight-class-calculator/
Updated: 2026-10-06
Publisher: CartonMath (https://cartonmath.com)