How is freight class determined?

Freight class is primarily determined by density (weight per cubic foot). Products with higher density get lower class numbers and lower shipping rates. Other factors include stowability (can it stack?), handling requirements, and liability (fragility, value).

What is the most common freight class?

Classes 50, 55, 65, 70, and 85 are the most common for general merchandise. Class 50 applies to heavy, dense freight like bricks or steel. Class 70 is common for furniture, auto parts, and food items. Class 85 is typical for machinery and assembled furniture.

What happens if I use the wrong freight class?

Carriers can inspect and reclassify your shipment. If they determine the correct class is higher, you'll be billed the difference plus potential inspection fees. This is called a 'reclass' or 'weight and inspection' adjustment.

NMFC stands for National Motor Freight Classification, maintained by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). It's the standard coding system that assigns freight classes to over 18,000 product types for LTL shipping.

Freight Class Guide

Q: What is freight class?

Freight class is a standardized classification system (NMFC) that categorizes LTL shipments from Class 50 to Class 500. It's based on density, stowability, handling, and liability. Lower classes are denser and cheaper to ship; higher classes are lighter or harder to handle and more expensive.

Complete chart of all 18 NMFC freight classes with density ranges and examples

Know your dimensions and weight?

Calculate your exact freight class based on density

Calculate Freight Class Get a Freight Quote

What is Freight Class?

Freight class is a standardized classification system used by LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers to categorize shipments and determine pricing. The system ranges from Class 50 (lowest, cheapest) to Class 500 (highest, most expensive).

The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system, maintained by the NMFTA, assigns freight classes based on four factors:

Density — Weight per cubic foot (most important factor)
Stowability — How easily it fits with other freight
Handling — Special equipment or care required
Liability — Risk of damage, theft, or causing damage

For most commodities, density is the primary factor. Higher density (more weight per cubic foot) = lower freight class = lower shipping cost.

Complete Freight Class Chart

Class	Density Range	Example Products
50	50+ lbs/ft³	Bricks, cement, steel sheets, sand, gravel, floor tiles
55	35–50 lbs/ft³	Hardwood flooring, concrete blocks, iron castings, steel coils
60	30–35 lbs/ft³	Car parts, stone articles, bottled beverages, bulk liquids
65	22.5–30 lbs/ft³	Canned goods, appliance parts, books, boxed tile, bottled water
70	15–22.5 lbs/ft³	Auto parts, food items, unassembled furniture, restaurant equipment
77.5	13.5–15 lbs/ft³	Tires, bathroom fixtures, wooden cabinets, office accessories
85	12–13.5 lbs/ft³	Machinery, assembled furniture, crated engines, pumps
92.5	10.5–12 lbs/ft³	Computers, monitors, refrigerators, cases of wine
100	9–10.5 lbs/ft³	Boat covers, car covers, wine in cases, vacuums, canvas
110	8–9 lbs/ft³	Cabinets, framed artwork, table tops, metalwork
125	7–8 lbs/ft³	Small household appliances, wooden furniture, display cases
150	6–7 lbs/ft³	Auto body parts, sheet metal parts, ATV/UTV parts, bookcases
175	5–6 lbs/ft³	Clothing, couches, stuffed furniture, metal cabinets
200	4–5 lbs/ft³	Auto parts, TVs, aircraft parts, aluminum tables, packaged mattresses
250	3–4 lbs/ft³	Mattresses, bamboo furniture, plasma TVs, automobile hoods
300	2–3 lbs/ft³	Wood tables, chairs, model boats, kayaks, taxidermy products
400	1–2 lbs/ft³	Deer antlers, large posters, light fixtures, styrofoam products
500	<1 lb/ft³	Ping pong balls, bags of gold, feathers, live plants, balloons

How to Calculate Your Freight Class

For most shipments, follow these steps:

Calculate total cubic feet:
(Length × Width × Height in inches) ÷ 1,728 = cubic feet
Calculate density:
Total weight ÷ cubic feet = pounds per cubic foot (PCF)
Match density to freight class using the chart above

Example Calculation:

Pallet: 48" × 40" × 36" = 40 cubic feet

Weight: 500 lbs ÷ 40 cu ft = 12.5 PCF

12.5 PCF falls in 12–13.5 range = Class 85

Use our Freight Class Calculator →

Important Considerations

NMFC Code Takes Precedence

Many products have a specific NMFC code that assigns a fixed class regardless of density. Always check if your product has an assigned NMFC code before using density-based classification. You can look up NMFC codes using the official NMFTA ClassIT tool.

Carriers Can Reclassify

LTL carriers may inspect shipments and reclassify if they determine the stated class is incorrect. This results in billing adjustments and potential inspection fees. Always classify accurately.

Packaging Matters

The same product can have different classes based on packaging. Boxed vs crated vs loose, assembled vs knocked down — all affect classification. When in doubt, describe your packaging to your carrier.

Frequently Asked Questions