Enter dimensions and weight to determine NMFC freight class
All 18 NMFC classes with density ranges and rate indices
| Class | Density (lbs/ft³) | Rate | Common Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50+ | 1x | Shrink-wrapped pallets of bricks, cement, mortar, hardwood flooring, nuts & bolts |
| 55 | 35 – 50 | 1.1x | Bricks, cement, hardwood flooring, construction materials, cased goods |
| 60 | 30 – 35 | 1.2x | Car accessories & parts, steel cable, used tires, stone/glass articles |
| 65 | 22.5 – 30 | 1.3x | Car accessories & parts, bottled beverages, books in boxes, conveyors |
| 70 | 15 – 22.5 | 1.4x | Car accessories & parts, food items, automobile engines, metal castings |
| 77.5 | 13.5 – 15 | 1.55x | Tires, bathroom fixtures, garments, shirts/pants |
| 85 | 12 – 13.5 | 1.7x | Crated machinery, cast iron stoves, refrigerators, vending machines |
| 92.5 | 10.5 – 12 | 1.85x | Computers, monitors, refrigerators & freezers, test equipment |
| 100 | 9 – 10.5 | 2x | Boat covers, car covers, canvas, wine cases, caskets |
| 110 | 8 – 9 | 2.2x | Cabinets, framed artwork, table saw, metalworking |
| 125 | 7 – 8 | 2.5x | Small household appliances, vending machines, wooden furniture |
| 150 | 6 – 7 | 3x | Auto sheet metal parts, bookcases, furniture, workbenches |
| 175 | 5 – 6 | 3.5x | Clothing, couches, stuffed furniture, metal cabinets |
| 200 | 4 – 5 | 4x | Auto sheet metal parts, aircraft parts, aluminum tables/chairs, packaged mattresses |
| 250 | 3 – 4 | 5x | Bamboo furniture, mattresses & box springs, plasma TVs, engine hoods |
| 300 | 2 – 3 | 6x | Model boats, assembled chairs & tables, wood cabinets, rubber tires |
| 400 | 1 – 2 | 8x | Deer antlers, large stuffed animals, lightweight plastic fixtures |
| 500 | < 1 | 10x | Bags of gold dust, ping pong balls, live plants, empty pallets |
All 18 NMFC freight classes with density thresholds and typical commodities
| Class | Density (lbs/ft³) | Example Commodities | Rate Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | ≥ 50 | Bricks, sand, cement, hardwood flooring | Lowest rates |
| 55 | 35–50 | Steel hardware, small appliances, books | Very low |
| 60 | 30–35 | Car parts, bottled beverages, motors | Low |
| 65 | 22.5–30 | Canned food, small machinery, fabricated steel | Below average |
| 70 | 15–22.5 | Tires, bottled beverages, packaged food | Average |
| 77.5 | 13.5–15 | Refrigerators, sheet metal, plastic film | Average |
| 85 | 12–13.5 | Computers, copiers, small electronics | Slightly above avg |
| 92.5 | 10.5–12 | Clothing, furniture parts, auto glass | Above average |
| 100 | 9–10.5 | Boat covers, computers, wine cases | High |
| 110 | 8–9 | Cabinets, wooden tables, small machinery | High |
| 125 | 7–8 | Small household appliances, auto parts | Very high |
| 150 | 6–7 | Mattresses, couches, furniture, flat-screen TVs | Very high |
| 175 | 5–6 | Clothing, sheet metal, large appliances | Very high |
| 200 | 4–5 | Rolled auto sheet metal, aluminum extrusions | Extremely high |
| 250 | 3–4 | Bamboo furniture, large pillows, foam | Extremely high |
| 300 | 2–3 | Wooden cabinets, large chandeliers | Premium |
| 400 | 1–2 | Deer antlers, ping pong balls | Premium |
| 500 | < 1 | Bags of gold dust, low-density foam | Maximum rate |
Furniture typically classifies between Class 100–250 depending on assembly state and density. Knock-down (flat-pack) furniture classifies lower than assembled pieces because it uses space less efficiently per pallet. Pre-assembled furniture or dense particle board items may classify as low as Class 100, while lightweight wooden frames can reach Class 250. Always specify assembly status to carriers.
Auto parts span a wide range: engine blocks at Class 60, mid-weight components at Class 85, and lighter body panels at Class 150–200. Properly palletized and unitized auto parts often classify lower than expected due to better space utilization. Heavy castings and transmission components cluster around Class 55–70. Coordinate with your carrier on proper packaging and pallet configuration.
Packaged consumer electronics typically classify between Class 85–125. Desktop computers and servers at Class 85, monitors and mid-range appliances at Class 92.5–100. Networked equipment and specialized instruments may push Class 110–125 depending on enclosure density. Proper palletization and shrink-wrapping can improve classification outcomes and reduce handling damage claims.
Beverage and food items range from Class 55 (canned goods, dense cases) to Class 85 (dry goods, snack items). Bottled beverages typically classify Class 60–70 due to higher density. Fresh foods in temperature-controlled packaging may vary. Densely stacked pallets of canned goods often achieve Class 55–60, while lighter packaged snacks reach Class 70–85.
Heavy building materials like bricks and concrete start at Class 50, while lumber ranges Class 65–70. Insulation and drywall products classify higher (Class 150–200) due to low density despite moderate weight. Proper unitization of lumber bundles and stacking of sheet goods can improve classification. Dense fasteners and metal materials achieve Class 50–60.
Compressed bales of textiles and apparel classify around Class 100–125, while loose or hanging garments can reach Class 200–300. The density varies dramatically based on compression and garment type. Properly shrink-wrapped bales of clothing optimize freight class and reduce damage. Seasonal items and fashion inventory should be palletized uniformly to avoid mixed-class billing.
Scenario: 1,000 lb shipment, Chicago to Atlanta, standard pallet
Annual Impact: Over 50 weekly shipments, proper freight class optimization saves approximately $11,700/year in LTL shipping costs. This doesn't include additional savings from carrier negotiations or consolidation strategies.
Freight class is a standardized system (NMFC) that categorizes goods into 18 classes based on density, handling characteristics, and commodity type. Class 50 is the densest; Class 500 is the lightest.
Enter your shipment weight and dimensions. The calculator will determine your freight class based on density. Remember: NMFC commodity codes can override density classification.
Your freight class directly affects LTL rates. A single class difference can change your shipping cost by 10–20%. Optimizing freight class saves thousands annually.
Read our complete guide to understand all 18 NMFC classes, density calculations, and how to optimize your freight classification for maximum savings.
Read the Guide →Common questions about freight class and NMFC calculation
Freight class is a standardized system created by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) that classifies goods into one of 18 categories — Class 50 through Class 500 — based on density, stowability, handling, and liability. The denser the shipment, the lower the class number and the lower the LTL shipping rate.
Freight class is calculated by dividing the total weight (in pounds) by the total volume (in cubic feet). The formula is: Density = Weight ÷ Volume, where Volume = (Length × Width × Height × Pieces) ÷ 1,728. The resulting density (lbs/ft³) determines the freight class from the NMFC threshold table.
Effective July 1, 2025, NMFTA Docket 2025-1 expanded the density-based classification scale to include Classes 50 and 55, which previously used separate commodity-based rules for many items. This means more commodities now qualify for density-based classification rather than commodity-specific NMFC codes.
Class 50 is the densest freight category, requiring a density of 50 pounds per cubic foot or more. Common Class 50 items include bricks, cement, hardwood flooring, and shrink-wrapped steel. Class 50 has the lowest LTL rates because these shipments use truck space most efficiently.
Yes. The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) assigns specific commodity codes to thousands of product types, and these codes can override pure density-based classification. For example, certain packaged goods may be assigned a class lower than their density would suggest, or hazardous materials may be bumped to a higher class. Always verify with your carrier.
Freight class (50–500) is the billing category that determines your LTL rate. An NMFC code is the specific product classification number (like NMFC 46020) that identifies your exact commodity. Each NMFC code maps to a freight class. Multiple NMFC codes can share the same freight class.
Freight class has a dramatic effect on LTL shipping rates. Class 100 typically costs 2–3× more per hundredweight than Class 50. Class 500 can cost 8–10× more than Class 50. For a 1,000-pound shipment, the difference between Class 70 and Class 150 can be $100–$300 per shipment depending on the lane.
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