Freight Class Calculator
Use Speed Commerce’s calculator to quickly estimate total shipment volume, density (calculated in pounds per cubic foot), and freight class, based on the density thresholds.
Freight Class Calculator
Enter your pallet dimensions and weight to estimate the freight class:
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How to Manually Calculate Density and Determine Freight Class
Follow the below steps—or use our calculator below—to determine your shipment’s density:
For multiple pieces – add up the weights of all pieces, then divide by the total volume in cubic feet.
Measure Your Shipment:
Dimensions – measure the height, width, and depth of your shipment. Be sure to measure to the farthest points, including any pallets or additional packaging.
Multiple pieces – If your shipment consists of multiple pieces, take measurements for each piece separately.
Calculate Total Volume:
Single piece – multiply the three measurements (height x width x depth) to obtain the volume in cubic inches or cubic feet.
Multiple pieces – for each piece, calculate its volume and then add all the volumes together to get the total.
Unit conversion – if your measurements are in inches, convert the volume to cubic feet by dividing the total cubic inches by 1,728 (since there are 1,728 cubic inches in one cubic foot).
Calculate Density:
Density formula – divide the weight of the shipment (in pounds) by the total cubic feet. This gives you the density in pounds per cubic foot.
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How is Freight Class Determined?
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers typically base their freight charges on both the weight and the cubic volume of the items being shipped. To standardize shipping, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. publishes the National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC®). Every commodity falls into one of 18 freight classes, numbered from 50 to 500.
The 4 Factors Influencing Freight Class:
Density: Density (pounds per cubic foot) is the primary determinant of freight class. In general, items with higher density fall into a lower freight class and incur lower shipping costs.
Stow-ability: This factor considers how easily the commodity can be stowed. Items with unusual dimensions, hazardous materials, or those regulated by government or carrier policies may be harder to stow and can be assigned a higher freight class. For instance, using “do-not-stack” stickers instead of stacking pyramids on pallets can sometimes prevent unnecessary height measurements.
Handling: Handling evaluates the ease with which a shipment can be loaded and unloaded. Factors such as fragile packaging, irregular shapes, or cumbersome dimensions can complicate handling, leading to a higher freight class.
Liability: Liability reflects the risk associated with the commodity—whether it’s prone to damage, theft, or could potentially harm other freight or property. Increased liability risks can raise the freight class and, consequently, the shipping cost.
Quick Reference
While density is the main factor for determining freight class, remember that special requirements (like oversized items, perishability, or hazardous materials) can also affect the final classification and shipping cost.
Use Speed Commerce’s calculator to quickly estimate:
- Total shipment volume.
- Density, calculated in pounds per cubic foot.
- Estimated freight class, based on the density thresholds.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Freight Class
Q: How is freight class determined?
A: Freight class is based on four main factors: density, stowability, handling, and liability. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) assigns each type of freight a class from 50 to 500.
Q: What are the freight class numbers?
A: Freight class numbers range from 50 (least expensive) to 500 (most expensive). Lower classes are usually heavier, denser items; higher classes are lighter or more delicate goods.
Q: Can freight class change based on packaging?
A: Yes. Changing how items are packaged—like palletizing or shrink-wrapping—can affect density and handling, which can lead to a different freight class.
