Reviewed November 2026. Formulas are shown above the guide. Report an error or request a calculator.
What changed in July 2025
Less-than-truckload carriers in the United States price freight by class: the lower the class, the cheaper the rate per hundredweight. On July 19, 2025 the National Motor Freight Classification moved many more commodities to density-based classes and expanded the density scale from 11 to 13 tiers. The old top band, 30 pounds per cubic foot and denser, was split into three: class 60, class 55 and class 50. Very dense freight can now rate lower than before, while light, bulky freight can rate much higher.
The 2025 density scale
| Density (lb per ft³) | Class |
|---|---|
| Under 1 | 400 |
| 1 to under 2 | 300 |
| 2 to under 4 | 250 |
| 4 to under 6 | 175 |
| 6 to under 8 | 125 |
| 8 to under 10 | 100 |
| 10 to under 12 | 92.5 |
| 12 to under 15 | 85 |
| 15 to under 22.5 | 70 |
| 22.5 to under 30 | 65 |
| 30 to under 35 | 60 |
| 35 to under 50 | 55 |
| 50 or more | 50 |
Worked example
A standard 48 × 40-inch pallet stacked to 48 inches high and weighing 500 pounds occupies 53.3 cubic feet, so its density is 9.38 pounds per cubic foot: class 100. Adding about 34 pounds would lift the density to 10 and drop the shipment to class 92.5. Measuring and weighing accurately matters, because carriers re-weigh and re-measure and bill the corrected class.
Common mistakes
- Measuring the box, not the pallet. Use the outside dimensions of the whole handling unit, including the pallet and any overhang.
- Forgetting the pallet weight. A wooden pallet adds 30–50 pounds.
- Assuming density always applies. Some commodities have a fixed class in their NMFC item. Check the item before booking.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate freight density?
Multiply length, width and height in inches, divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divide the weight in pounds by the cubic feet.
What freight class is 10 pounds per cubic foot?
Class 92.5 on the current scale, which covers 10 to under 12 pounds per cubic foot.
Why did my freight class change in 2025?
The NMFC moved many items to density-based rating and added classes 55 and 50 for very dense freight, so the same pallet can now rate differently.
Does freight class apply outside the US?
The NMFC is used for LTL freight within North America. Other regions usually price by weight or volumetric weight.