Freight Class Calculator

Freight Class Calculator & Density Calculator

Quickly and easily find out the freight class for your shipment. Just input the total weight and dimensions of the item you'd like to ship. Please note that this calculator estimates the freight class based on the density of the shipment.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is freight class?

Freight class is a standardized system used todetermine the cost of shipping items based on their weight, length, width, height, and other characteristics. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) developed the freight class system to ensure fair and consistent pricing for shipping services.

How is freight class calculated?

Freight class is calculated based on several factors, including the weight, length, width, height, density, value, and handling requirements of the shipment. The NMFTA has established 18 different freight classes, ranging from class 50 (the least expensive) to class 500 (the most expensive). The higher the freight class, the higher the shipping cost.

What is density-based freight class?

Density-based freight class is a special freight class that is calculated based on the density of the shipment. Items that are very dense, such as metal or concrete, may have a higher density-based freight class even if their weight is relatively low.

What is the NMFC?

The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) is a catalog of standardized descriptions and classifications for all commodities that are shipped in the United States. The NMFC is used by freight carriers to determine the appropriate freight class for a shipment and to establish pricing.

Freight class factors

Freight class is determined based on several factors, including density, stowability, handling, and liability. Here's a brief overview of each factor:

Density: Freight density is the weight of the shipment per cubic foot. The higher the density, the lower the freight class.

Stowability: This factor measures how easily the shipment can be loaded and unloaded onto a truck. If the shipment is difficult to handle or requires special equipment, it may have a higher freight class.

Handling: This factor considers the fragility, shape, and weight of the shipment. If the shipment requires special handling or is at risk of damage, it may have a higher freight class.

Liability: This factor considers the value of the shipment and the likelihood of damage or theft. High-value, fragile, or theft-prone items may have a higher freight class.

Other factors: There may be other factors that affect freight class, such as hazardous materials, perishable items, or government regulations.

Freight class list with examples

Class Name Notes, Examples Weight Range Per Cubic Foot
Class 50 - Clean Freight Fits on standard shrink-wrapped 4X4 pallet, very durable 50+ lbs
Class 55 Bricks, cement, mortar, hardwood flooring 35-50 pounds
Class 60 Car accessories & car parts 30-35 pounds
Class 65 Car accessories & car parts, bottled beverages, books in boxes 22.5-30 pounds
Class 70 Car accessories & car parts, food items, automobile engines 15 to 22.5 pounds
Class 77.5 Tires, bathroom fixtures 13.5 to 15 pounds
Class 85 Crated machinery, cast iron stoves 12-13.5 pounds
Class 92.5 Computers, monitors, refrigerators 10.5-12 pounds
Class 100 boat covers, car covers, canvas, wine cases, caskets 9-10.5 pounds
Class 110 cabinets, framed artwork, table saw 8-9 pounds
Class 125 Small Household appliances 7-8 pounds
Class 150 Auto sheet metal parts, bookcases 6-7 pounds
Class 175 Clothing, couches stuffed furniture 5-6 pounds
Class 200 Auto sheet metal parts, aircraft parts, aluminum table, packaged mattresses 4-5 pounds
Class 250 Bamboo furniture, mattress and box spring, plasma TV 3-4 pounds
Class 300 wood cabinets, tables, chairs setup, model boats 2-3 pounds
Class 400 Deer antlers 1-2 pounds
Class 500 – Low Density or High Value Bags of gold dust, ping pong balls < 1 lbs.

 

What is a freight class calculator?

A freight class calculator is a tool used in the shipping industry to determine the freight class of a shipment. Freight class is a standardized classification system that categorizes shipments based on their density, handling requirements, liability, and stowability. This system is commonly used in the United States and is also known as the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC).

Freight class calculators take into account the dimensions, weight, and sometimes other characteristics of a shipment to calculate its density, which is then used to determine the appropriate freight class. Knowing the freight class of a shipment is important for carriers to properly allocate space on trucks, trains, or planes and for shippers to accurately estimate shipping costs.

PLEASE NOTE

WAREHOUSEWIZ accepts no liabilty for any inaccurate class estimates. For any questions about classification and accuracy you can contact NMFTA at http://www.nmfta.org/Pages/ContactUs.aspx.

The information and tools on this page are intended to only be a resource to be used as a general guideline into the characteristics and attributes that are used by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. in determining freight classes. The information and tools on this page are not in any way intended to be a calculator for determining the exact actual freight class of your commodities. Failure to accurately determine the actual freight class of your items being shipped can result in significantly different and higher rating and carrier billings.