Calculate shipment density and the freight class it falls into, plus cubic feet and hundredweight.
How the freight class calculator works
Less-than-truckload freight is priced by class, and for most commodities the class comes straight from density — pounds per cubic foot. Dense freight uses less trailer space per pound and gets a lower, cheaper class.
The eighteen density brackets run from class 50 for very dense freight down to class 500 for very light bulky items. The calculator works out your density and reads off the bracket.
A worked example
On the values this calculator opens with, the freight class is Class 92.5. Underneath, Density comes out at 11.25 lb per ft³ and Cubic feet per unit at 53.33 ft³. Change any field and every figure updates as you type.
How to fill it in
- Measure the shipment at its largest points, including the pallet.
- Enter the total weight including packaging.
- Read the density and the class it falls into.
How the number is calculated
cubic feet = L × W × H ÷ 1,728
density = weight ÷ cubic feet
class from the density brackets: 50 lb/ft³ and above = class 50, below 1 lb/ft³ = class 500
FAQ
Is density the only thing that sets freight class?
No. Stowability, handling difficulty and liability also matter, and some commodities have a fixed NMFC class regardless of density. Density covers the common case.
Should I include the pallet?
Yes — measure and weigh the shipment as the carrier will, including pallet and packaging.
What happens if I declare the wrong class?
The carrier reweighs and reclassifies, and issues a corrected invoice. Getting it right up front avoids the adjustment and any fee.