Freight Class Calculator
Determine the NMFC freight class of an LTL shipment from its weight and dimensions for accurate carrier rate quotes.
Results
What is it?
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system assigns one of 18 freight classes (50 to 500) to every LTL shipment. Class is primarily determined by density (lbs per cubic foot) but also considers stowability, handling difficulty, and liability. Lower class numbers = denser freight = lower shipping rates.
How to use
Enter the total weight in pounds and the outer dimensions of the shipment's shipping footprint (or pallet dimensions including overhang). The calculator computes density and maps it to the standard NMFC class table. Use this class when requesting LTL rate quotes from carriers like FedEx Freight, XPO, or Old Dominion.
Example scenario
A 100-lb shipment on a 48×40×28-inch pallet occupies 30.86 ft³, giving a density of 3.24 lbs/ft³ — Class 125. Repalletizing to 48×40×20 inches (22.22 ft³) raises density to 4.5 lbs/ft³ — Class 125 still, but closer to the Class 100 threshold at 8 lbs/ft³, which can cut rates by 20-30%.
Pro tip
Freight class is a major cost driver in LTL. Strategies to lower your class: (1) compress product packaging to reduce cube; (2) combine multiple lighter shipments into one dense pallet (consolidation); (3) add weight (ballast) to dense-sensitive items only when freight rate savings exceed material cost. Also, always verify NMFC item numbers for your specific commodity — some have mandated classes regardless of density.