Freight Class Calculator

Pallet dimensions and weight in, density and LTL freight class out, on the 13-tier NMFC scale

Updated 2026-10-02

Length (longest side)

Width

Height (floor to highest point)

Weight per handling unit (pallet included)

Identical handling units

Freight class: 100
Density: 9.00 pcf
Density band: Sub 6: 8 to under 10 pcf
Cubic feet per unit: 50.00
Next class down: 92.5 at 10 pcf
Extra weight to reach it: +50.00 lb per unit
Or height at this weight: 40.50 in
Shipment total: 1 unit: 50.00 cu ft, 450.00 lb

Cubic feet = L × W × H (in) ÷ 1,728. Density = weight ÷ cubic feet. Class from the NMFC 13-sub density scale (Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025). Some items have a fixed class; check your NMFC item.

Your numbers stay on this device. The page link keeps your inputs, so a bookmark or shared link reopens these results.

Your band is highlighted
Density (pcf)	Class
Less than 1	400
1 to under 2	300
2 to under 4	250
4 to under 6	175
6 to under 8	125
8 to under 10	100
10 to under 12	92.5
12 to under 15	85
15 to under 22.5	70
22.5 to under 30	65
30 to under 35	60
35 to under 50	55
50 or more	50

Measure the handling unit as you will hand it to the carrier, pallet and overhang included, and weigh it. The calculator works out the cubic feet, the density in pounds per cubic foot and the class on the National Motor Freight Classification density scale that took effect on July 19, 2025. It also shows how much the pallet would have to weigh, or how short it would have to be, to reach the next, cheaper class. Nothing is stored or sent.

How freight class is calculated from density

Multiply the greatest length, width and height in inches, including any projections, and divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet. Divide the weight by the cubic feet to get density in pounds per cubic foot (pcf). NMFTA's own example: a 48" × 40" × 45" pallet weighing 450 lb is 86,400 cubic inches, 86,400 ÷ 1,728 = 50 cubic feet, and 450 ÷ 50 = 9.00 pcf (NMFTA 2025 NMFC changes FAQ, nmfta.org, checked 2026-10-02).

Density then maps to a class. 9.00 pcf sits in the "8 but less than 10" band, which is class 100. If the same pallet weighed 500 lb it would be 10 pcf and drop to class 92.5, which usually rates lower per hundredweight.

When a shipment has several handling units, NMFC Item 110 Sec. 8(d) says density is calculated on each handling unit, unless the shipping papers show only a total weight, in which case the total weight and total cube may be used (quoted in the same NMFTA FAQ).

NMFC 13-subprovision density scale (Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025)
Sub	Density (pcf)	Class
1	Less than 1	400
2	1 but less than 2	300
3	2 but less than 4	250
4	4 but less than 6	175
5	6 but less than 8	125
6	8 but less than 10	100
7	10 but less than 12	92.5
8	12 but less than 15	85
9	15 but less than 22.5	70
10	22.5 but less than 30	65
11	30 but less than 35	60
12	35 but less than 50	55
13	50 or greater	50

What changed in 2025

NMFTA's Disposition Bulletin 1371 (March 14, 2025) adopted the Freight Classification Development Council's standard 13-subprovision density scale for the items in Docket 2025-1, with an effective date of July 19, 2025. The old scale had 11 bands; the new one adds class 55 for 35 to under 50 pcf and class 50 for 50 pcf or more, so very dense freight can now rate lower than class 60.

Many commodities that used to have a fixed class now class by density, which makes accurate dimensions more important. A carrier that re-measures a pallet and finds it taller than the bill of lading says can reclass it and rebill the shipment.

Worked pallets on a standard 48" × 40" footprint

Each row is the calculator run with that height and weight. "To next class" is the extra weight per pallet that would cross into the next density band, or the height the pallet would need to shrink to with the same weight.

Density class is a starting point. Some NMFC items carry a fixed class, or a class that depends on handling, stowability or liability, so check the item for what you ship (NMFTA's ClassIT is the official lookup).
Measure the whole handling unit as tendered: pallet, overhang and any part that sticks out. Rounding a 45.5" pallet down to 45" is exactly what a carrier's dimensioner catches.

Freight class for common pallet loads (48" × 40" footprint)
Height × weight	Cubic feet	Density	Class	To next class
48" × 300 lb	53.33	5.63 pcf	175	+20 lb or 45.0" tall
45" × 450 lb	50.00	9.00 pcf	100	+50 lb or 40.5" tall
40" × 500 lb	44.44	11.25 pcf	92.5	+33.3 lb or 37.5" tall
36" × 750 lb	40.00	18.75 pcf	70	+150 lb or 30.0" tall
30" × 1,200 lb	33.33	36.00 pcf	55	+466.7 lb or 21.6" tall
24" × 1,500 lb	26.67	56.25 pcf	50	Lowest density class

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Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate freight class?

Multiply length × width × height in inches, divide by 1,728 for cubic feet, divide the weight by the cubic feet for density, then read the class off the density scale. 48" × 40" × 45" at 450 lb is 50 cubic feet, 9.00 pcf, class 100.

What is the freight class density chart for 2025?

Thirteen bands from under 1 pcf (class 400) to 50 pcf or more (class 50): 1-2 pcf is 300, 2-4 is 250, 4-6 is 175, 6-8 is 125, 8-10 is 100, 10-12 is 92.5, 12-15 is 85, 15-22.5 is 70, 22.5-30 is 65, 30-35 is 60 and 35-50 is 55. It took effect on July 19, 2025 under Docket 2025-1.

Does a lower freight class cost less?

Generally yes: carriers rate lower classes at a lower price per hundredweight, because dense freight uses less trailer space per pound. The actual rate depends on your carrier's tariff, the lane and any discount.

Do I include the pallet in the dimensions and weight?

Yes. Density is calculated on the handling unit as tendered to the carrier, using the greatest dimensions including projections, so the pallet and any overhang count.

How is density calculated for several pallets?

Per handling unit, unless the shipping papers show only a total weight; then total weight ÷ total cubic feet may be used (NMFC Item 110 Sec. 8(d)). Enter one pallet's figures and the number of identical pallets.

Is the density class always the right class?

No. Only commodities classed by density use the scale. Others have a fixed class or one set by handling and liability. Look up your item's NMFC number before you book.

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