Freight Density Calculator

Calculate shipment density to determine your NMFC freight class

Why is density important? Freight class is determined by density (lbs per cubic foot). A higher density typically means a lower class and lower shipping costs. Enter dimensions and weight for each piece to calculate.

Length (in)	Width (in)	Height (in)	Weight (lbs)	Cubic Ft	Density
				—	—

Total Weight

lbs

Total Cubic Feet

0.00

ft³

Average Density

—

lb/ft³

Suggested Class

—

NMFC class

Freight Class Reference

Class 50

50+ lb/ft³

Class 55

35–50 lb/ft³

Class 60

30–35 lb/ft³

Class 65

22.5–30 lb/ft³

Class 70

15–22.5 lb/ft³

Class 77.5

13.5–15 lb/ft³

Class 85

12–13.5 lb/ft³

Class 92.5

10.5–12 lb/ft³

Class 100

9–10.5 lb/ft³

Class 110

8–9 lb/ft³

Class 125

7–8 lb/ft³

Class 150

6–7 lb/ft³

Class 175

5–6 lb/ft³

Class 200

4–5 lb/ft³

Class 250

3–4 lb/ft³

Class 300

2–3 lb/ft³

Class 400

1–2 lb/ft³

Class 500

<1 lb/ft³

How to Calculate Freight Density

Freight density is the single most important factor in determining your NMFC freight class and, ultimately, your LTL shipping costs. Follow these three steps to calculate it accurately:

1Measure every piece. Record the length, width, and height of each handling unit in inches. Always round up to the nearest whole inch.
2Convert to cubic feet. Multiply L × W × H and divide by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot) to get the volume of each piece.
3Divide weight by volume. Take the total weight in pounds and divide by the total cubic feet. The result is your density in lb/ft³, which maps directly to an NMFC freight class.

Why Freight Density Matters for LTL Shipping

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) carriers use the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system to standardize pricing across the industry. Every commodity is assigned a freight class ranging from 50 to 500 based primarily on its density. The higher the density, the lower the class — and the lower your shipping rate.

Incorrectly classifying your freight can lead to costly reclassification fees, delayed shipments, and unexpected invoices. By calculating your density before booking, you ensure accurate quoting and avoid surprises at delivery.

Whether you're shipping palletized goods, crated machinery, or loose cartons, knowing your freight density empowers you to negotiate better rates, choose the right carrier, and optimize your supply chain from origin to destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

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