Freight Class Calculator
Enter the dimensions and approximate weight of the pallet or freight to estimate the freight class, volume, and density.
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Joe is the creator of Inch Calculator and has over 20 years of experience in engineering and construction. He holds several degrees and certifications.
How to Calculate Freight Class
Cargo shipped in the United States is assigned a freight class, which is assigned by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). The NMFC is a standardized system for classifying freight defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA).[1]
To calculate freight class, start by finding the volume of the pallet and the weight. Then find the density and locate the freight class for the given density in the table below.
To find the freight volume, multiply the width, length, and height together. If the measurements were in feet this is the cubic footage.
volume = length × width × height
If the measurements were in inches, then divide by 1,728 to convert the volume to cubic feet. You can also use a cubic inches to cubic feet conversion calculator to convert.
Next, divide the weight in pounds by the volume in cubic feet to find the density. Try using a density calculator to simplify this process.
density = weight ÷ volume
For example, let’s calculate the freight volume for a pallet that is 48″ x 40″ x 48″ weighing 350 pounds.
volume = (48″ × 40″ × 48″) ÷ 1,728
volume = 92,160 cu in ÷ 1,728
volume = 53.33 cu ft
density = 350 lbs ÷ 53.33 cu ft
density = 6.56 lbs/cu ft
Thus, the density of this pallet is 6.56 pounds per cubic foot. Referencing the table below, the freight class is 150.
Characteristics Affecting the Freight Class
Freight class is partially determined by density as found above, but there are several characteristics that determine the freight class for a load.[2] Because all of these characteristics are used to determine the freight class, a calculator such as the one above is only an estimate.
Density: the compactness of the load as measured in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter.
Stowability: how easily can the load be loaded and might be impacted by non-standard or difficult to transport shapes, regulations about the contents of the load, or the ability to transport the load with other cargo.
Handling: the amount of special attention or handling the load requires beyond typical cargo.
Liability: the probability of theft or damage for high value or fragile cargo.
Freight Class Table
There are 18 freight classes defined in the (NMFC) system as outlined in the table below.[3]
| Freight Class | Density Range |
|---|---|
| Class 50 | more than 50 lb/cu ft |
| Class 55 | 35-50 lb/cu ft |
| Class 60 | 30-35 lb/cu ft |
| Class 65 | 22.5-30 lb/cu ft |
| Class 70 | 15-22.5 lb/cu ft |
| Class 77.5 | 13.5-15 lb/cu ft |
| Class 85 | 12-13.5 lb/cu ft |
| Class 92.5 | 10.5-12 lb/cu ft |
| Class 100 | 9-10.5 lb/cu ft |
| Class 110 | 8-9 lb/cu ft |
| Class 125 | 7-8 lb/cu ft |
| Class 150 | 6-7 lb/cu ft |
| Class 175 | 5-6 lb/cu ft |
| Class 200 | 4-5 lb/cu ft |
| Class 250 | 3-4 lb/cu ft |
| Class 300 | 2-3 lb/cu ft |
| Class 400 | 1-2 lb/cu ft |
| Class 500 | less than 1 lb/cu ft |
For smaller packages that aren’t shipped via freight, try our dimensional shipping weight calculator to estimate the weight needed to calculate rates.
References
- National Motor Freight Traffic Association, The National Motor Freight Classification, https://nmfta.org/nmfc/
- CAF, What Is Freight Class?, https://www.cafworldwide.com/blog/what-is-freight-class-and-how-do-you-determine-yours
- Adam Robinson, How To Calculate Freight Class: Get Your Printable How to Guide, November 20, 2013, https://www.globaltranz.com/resource-hub/calculate-freight-class/