Supply Chain & InventoryFree calculatorPDF, Excel, Word exportUnited States

Freight Class Density Calculator for LTL Shipments (NMFC)

LTL carriers price freight by class, and for many commodities the class follows density. This calculator turns pallet dimensions and weight into pounds per cubic foot and the matching class guideline, so you can quote and book with fewer reclass surprises.

Your numbers

in

Overall length including pallet and overhang.

in
in

Include the pallet height.

lb

Gross weight including pallet and packaging.

pallets

Your results

Density (pounds per cubic foot)
10.7308
Weight divided by cubic volume.
Density-based freight class
92.5
Guideline class from the classic density scale.
Total weight
1,240
Gross weight in pounds.
Total cubic feet
115.5556
Cubic inches divided by 1,728.

Density is a guideline. The NMFC item number in your commodity listing can set a fixed class or density brackets that differ from this scale, and the carrier tariff and any reclassification or inspection result decide the billed class.

Save results:

Density vs piece weight

Sweeps Weight (per piece) from 100 to 2000, holding your other inputs fixed.

Automate class and cube capture

Optional: we can review how pallet cube and weight flow from your ERP to carrier rating and suggest where to cut manual keying.

Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.

How to use it

Measure each handling unit at its widest points, including the pallet and any overhang, because carriers bill the footprint they must load. Enter length, width and height in inches, the gross weight per piece in pounds, and the number of identical pieces. The calculator converts cubic inches to cubic feet, divides weight by volume and then reads the class from the density scale. For mixed pallets, calculate each unit separately.

The formula and the scale

Density equals total weight in pounds divided by total cubic feet, where cubic feet is length times width times height in inches divided by 1,728. The classic scale runs from class 400 for under 1 pcf down to class 50 for 50 pcf and above. The steps in between are 300, 250, 175, 125, 100, 92.5, 85, 70, 65, 60 and 55. Lower classes cost less per hundredweight, so dense freight ships cheaper per pound.

  • Under 1 pcf: class 400
  • 8 to under 10 pcf: class 100
  • 15 to under 22.5 pcf: class 70
  • 50 pcf and above: class 50

Worked example

Two pallets, each 48 by 40 by 52 inches and 620 pounds, give 2 x 99,840 cubic inches, about 115.6 cubic feet. Total weight is 1,240 pounds, so density is about 10.7 pcf and the guideline class is 92.5. If the pallet were stacked 12 inches higher the density would drop and the class could move to 100 or 110 depending on the tariff, so height discipline at the dock pays directly.

Common mistakes

Measuring the product instead of the pallet, forgetting overhang, and using net rather than gross weight all understate the class. Some commodities carry a fixed class in their NMFC listing regardless of density, so check the item first. Rounding dimensions down rather than up is a common cause of reweigh and reclassification fees. Record the measured cube in your ERP shipping record so the billed class can be reconciled with the invoice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is freight class only about density?

No. NMFC class is set from four factors: density, stowability, handling and liability. Many commodities use density brackets, but others have a fixed class in their listing. Use this calculator as a guideline and confirm the NMFC item number for your product with your carrier or the current NMFC publication.

Why did the carrier change my freight class?

Carriers inspect, weigh and measure freight and can reclassify when the declared cube or weight is wrong. Under-declared dimensions are the most common cause. Provide measured dimensions and gross weight on the bill of lading and keep photos or dock scale tickets as evidence for disputes.

How do I calculate density for several different pallets?

Compute the cubic feet of each handling unit, add the volumes, add the weights, and divide the total weight by the total volume. Carriers may rate mixed shipments by the lowest density class or by line item, depending on the tariff, so ask how they treat multiple lines.

Does this work for parcel or air freight?

No. Parcel and air carriers use dimensional weight, which compares actual and volumetric weight with a divisor. See the dimensional weight calculator for that method. Freight class applies to US LTL shipments rated under the NMFC.

If you keep pallet dimensions and weights in your ERP but still key them into carrier portals by hand, Netray can help automate the class and cube hand-off.

Talk to an ExpertExplore More Free Tools

Related Tools

Supply Chain & Inventory

Dimensional Weight Calculator

Compare actual and volumetric weight with the carrier divisor to see the billable weight per carton and per shipment.

Supply Chain & Inventory

Bill of Lading Field Checklist

A field-by-field check of an ocean or domestic bill of lading so errors are caught before the cargo sails.

Supply Chain & Inventory

Container Loadability CBM Calculator

Estimate cartons per container using carton CBM, packing efficiency and payload so you know whether you cube out or weigh out.

Supply Chain & Inventory

Packing List Template for Export Shipments

Generate a packing list that lists each package with contents, weights, dimensions and marks, matching your invoice and bill of lading.

More Supply Chain & Inventory tools

See all
Back to All Tools