Freight Class Calculator

Freight Class Calculation Chart

Freight Class	Density (lbs/cubic ft)	Description	Example Items
50	50+	Dense, stackable	Bricks, steel plates
55	35-50	Durable, stackable	Hardwood flooring
60	30-35	Less dense, stackable	Car parts, nails
65	22.5-30	Moderately dense	Bottled beverages
70	15-22.5	Bulky, stackable	Car tires, food items
77.5	13.5-15	Bulky, less stackable	Appliances
85	12-13.5	Light, bulky	Crated furniture
92.5	10.5-12	Very light, bulky	Fiber optic cable
100	9-10.5	Extremely light	Boat covers, cloth items
110-125	8-9	Very low density	Cabinets, framed artwork
150-250	Less than 8	Extremely low density	Ping pong balls, insulation
300-500	Various	Special items	Aircraft parts, hazardous materials

The basic formula is:

Density = Weight / Volume

Where volume is calculated as: Length x Width x Height (in cubic feet)

Suppose you’re shipping a crate of machine parts weighing 500 lbs. The crate measures 4 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 2 feet high.

Calculate the volume: 4 x 3 x 2 = 24 cubic feet
Calculate the density: 500 lbs / 24 cubic feet = 20.83 lbs/cubic foot

Referring to our table above, this density falls into the Class 70 category (15-22.5 lbs/cubic foot).

Measure and weigh: Accurately measure the length, width, and height of your shipment. Weigh it precisely.

Calculate density: Use the formula mentioned earlier.

Consider other factors:

Use NMFC guidelines: The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) provides detailed guidelines for classifying different types of goods.

Apply the classification: Based on all these factors, determine the appropriate freight class.

Let’s say you’re shipping a large, delicate glass sculpture. It weighs 100 lbs and measures 4′ x 3′ x 3′.

Volume = 4 x 3 x 3 = 36 cubic feet
Density = 100 lbs / 36 cubic feet = 2.78 lbs/cubic foot