LTL Freight Class Calculator
Enter your shipment dimensions and weight to calculate cubic feet, density, and estimated NMFC freight class. Accurate freight class prevents carrier reclassification and unexpected invoice increases on LTL shipments.
LTL Freight Class Calculator
Density-based estimate only. Final freight class may be affected by commodity type, NMFC code, stowability, and carrier rules. Always verify with your carrier or broker.
How Freight Class Is Calculated
LTL freight class is assigned by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) under the NMFC system. While commodity type, handling requirements, and stowability all factor into the final class, density is the primary driver for most general freight. Density is calculated as weight divided by cubic volume in cubic feet.
The formula: Density (lbs/cu ft) = Weight (lbs) ÷ [(L × W × H in inches) ÷ 1,728]
NMFC Freight Class Density Table
| Freight Class | Density (lbs per cubic foot) | Typical Freight Type |
|---|---|---|
| Class 50 | 50+ lbs/cu ft | Dense goods — bricks, sand, metal parts |
| Class 55 | 35–50 lbs/cu ft | Construction materials, bottled beverages |
| Class 60 | 30–35 lbs/cu ft | Car parts, machinery components |
| Class 65 | 22.5–30 lbs/cu ft | Tires, auto parts, boxed food |
| Class 70 | 15–22.5 lbs/cu ft | Appliances, cabinets, industrial equipment |
| Class 77.5 | 13.5–15 lbs/cu ft | Furniture, clothing, household goods |
| Class 85 | 12–13.5 lbs/cu ft | Crated machinery, soft goods |
| Class 92.5 | 10.5–12 lbs/cu ft | Computers, electronics |
| Class 100 | 9–10.5 lbs/cu ft | Boat parts, wine cases |
| Class 110 | 8–9 lbs/cu ft | Cabinets, framed art |
| Class 125 | 7–8 lbs/cu ft | Small appliances |
| Class 150 | 6–7 lbs/cu ft | Auto accessories, books |
| Class 175 | 5–6 lbs/cu ft | Clothing, couches |
| Class 200 | 4–5 lbs/cu ft | Sheet metal, TVs |
| Class 250 | 3–4 lbs/cu ft | Bamboo furniture, mattresses |
| Class 300 | 2–3 lbs/cu ft | Wood cabinets, engine hoods |
| Class 400 | 1–2 lbs/cu ft | Ping pong balls, deer antlers |
| Class 500 | Less than 1 lb/cu ft | Bags of gold dust, low-density foam |
Why Accurate Dimensions Matter for Freight Class
Carriers measure freight at their terminal docks using automated dimensioning systems. If your declared dimensions are smaller than the carrier’s measurement, they reclassify the shipment mid-transit and re-invoice at the higher class — often adding 20–40% to the freight bill with little opportunity to dispute it.
The only reliable defence is accurate dimensions at the point of dispatch. When your declared dims match what the carrier measures, reclassification risk drops to near zero.
How Packizon Dim L1 Prevents Freight Reclassification
Packizon Dim L1 measures any package or pallet in under one second with ±0.2″ accuracy. For LTL shippers, this means every outbound shipment leaves with certified dimensions attached to the bill of lading — the same dimensions the carrier will measure at their terminal. When the numbers match, there’s no basis for reclassification.
Dim L1 also integrates with TMS and WMS platforms to auto-populate BOL fields with certified dims, eliminating manual entry errors from the process entirely.