Freight class calculator

Enter the size and weight of your pallets or crates to get their density and the density-based NMFC freight class carriers use for LTL pricing.

Dimensions of one piece

Lengthin

Widthin

Heightin

Measure at the outermost points, including the pallet and any overhang.

Weight and count

Weight per piecelb

Include pallet and packaging.

Pieces

Identical pallets or crates.

NMFC density scale

Density brackets and the freight class each one maps to
Density	Class
Less than 1 lb/ft³	400
1 to under 2 lb/ft³	300
2 to under 4 lb/ft³	250
4 to under 6 lb/ft³	175
6 to under 8 lb/ft³	125
8 to under 10 lb/ft³	100
10 to under 12 lb/ft³	92.5
12 to under 15 lb/ft³	85
15 to under 22.5 lb/ft³	70
22.5 to under 30 lb/ft³	65
30 to under 35 lb/ft³	60
35 to under 50 lb/ft³	55
50 lb/ft³ or more	50

This is an estimate, not a price. On AllShip, FMCSA-verified carriers send firm bids and your payment waits in escrow until delivery.

Post a freight load

How this estimate works

Freight class is set by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), published by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association. Lower classes are denser and cheaper to ship per pound. Many commodities are classed by density alone, using the 13-tier scale in the table above, which took effect on July 19, 2025.

Formula

volume (ft³)   = length × width × height (in) ÷ 1,728 × pieces
weight (lb)    = weight per piece × pieces
density        = weight ÷ volume
freight class  = density bracket on the 13-tier scale

When the result can differ

Some items keep a specific class in their NMFC listing regardless of density, and handling, stowability or liability characteristics can move a class up. Hazardous materials have their own rules. Check your commodity's listing, or ask the carrier, before you put a class on the bill of lading.

Measure carefully

Carriers re-measure and re-weigh freight, often with dimensioning scanners. A pallet that is 2 inches taller than declared can fall into a lower density bracket and get reclassed at a higher price.

Next steps

Questions

What is freight density?

Density is the weight of a shipment divided by the space it takes up, in pounds per cubic foot. A 48 × 40 × 48 inch pallet weighing 500 pounds takes up 53.3 cubic feet, so its density is about 9.4 lb/ft³, which is class 100.

Is the density class always my final freight class?

No. It is correct for commodities classed by density, but some NMFC items have a fixed class, and handling or liability factors can change it. The commodity's NMFC listing decides.

What changed in the NMFC in 2025?

The density scale grew from 11 to 13 tiers, effective July 19, 2025, and many commodities that had their own class were moved to density-based classes. Older charts online may still show the 11-tier scale.

Does freight class matter for full truckload?

Usually not. Full truckload is priced by the trip. Freight class mainly drives LTL pricing, where your freight shares a trailer with other shipments.