LTL Freight Class Calculator
Enter your shipment weight and dimensions to instantly calculate density-based freight class. Free, fast, and accurate for any LTL shipment.
NMFC-aligned density mapping All 18 freight classes No signup required Updated March 1, 2026
Calculate Your Freight Class
Accuracy Diagnostics
Calculate to see tolerance-adjusted class sensitivity.
Tip: precise dimensions and tare weight increase reliability.
Tired of calculating freight class?
Some shippers skip class-based pricing entirely. Warp offers simple per-pallet rates - one flat price per pallet position, no class lookups, no reclassification surprises.
Density-to-Class Reference Table
The NMFTA assigns freight classes based on density ranges. Use this table to verify your calculator result or look up a class manually.
| Class | Density Range (lbs/ft^3) | Typical Freight |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50.00 + | Dense freight: bricks, steel, cement |
| 55 | 35.00 - <50.00 | Heavy hardware, construction materials |
| 60 | 30.00 - <35.00 | Car parts, heavy machinery components |
| 65 | 22.50 - <30.00 | Bottled beverages, auto accessories |
| 70 | 15.00 - <22.50 | Food items, restaurant equipment |
| 77.5 | 13.50 - <15.00 | Tires, bathroom fixtures |
| 85 | 12.00 - <13.50 | Crated machinery, cast iron stoves |
| 92.5 | 10.50 - <12.00 | Computers, monitors, refrigerators |
| 100 | 9.00 - <10.50 | Boat covers, wine cases, caskets |
| 110 | 8.00 - <9.00 | Cabinets, framed artwork, table saws |
| 125 | 7.00 - <8.00 | Small appliances, vending machines |
| 150 | 6.00 - <7.00 | Auto sheet-metal parts, bookcases |
| 175 | 5.00 - <6.00 | Clothing, couches, stuffed furniture |
| 200 | 4.00 - <5.00 | Auto sheet-metal parts, mattresses |
| 250 | 3.00 - <4.00 | Bamboo furniture, mattress sets |
| 300 | 2.00 - <3.00 | Wood cabinets, model boats, canoes |
| 400 | 1.00 - <2.00 | Deer antlers, lightweight packaging |
| 500 | < 1.00 | Low-density: bags of gold bows, ping pong balls |
Frequently Asked Questions
LTL freight class is a standardized classification system established by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). It categorizes commodities into 18 classes ranging from 50 to 500, based on density, stowability, handling difficulty, and liability. Freight class directly affects your shipping rate - lower classes (denser freight) cost less per pound to ship.
Density-based freight class is calculated by dividing the shipment weight (in pounds) by its volume (in cubic feet). The resulting density in pounds per cubic foot maps to a freight class. For example, freight with density above 50 lbs/ft^3 is Class 50, while freight under 1 lb/ft^3 is Class 500. This calculator uses the standard NMFC density-to-class mapping table.
Per-pallet pricing is a simplified LTL pricing model where you pay a flat rate per pallet position rather than dealing with complex freight class calculations, weight breaks, and accessorial fees. Warp offers per-pallet pricing that eliminates reclassification surprises and makes freight costs predictable. You know the exact cost before your shipment moves.
No. While density is the primary factor for most shipments, the NMFTA also considers stowability (how easily freight fits with other cargo), handling difficulty (whether special equipment is needed), and liability (risk of damage or theft). Some commodities have fixed NMFC codes regardless of density. Always verify with the NMFC directory for commodity-specific rules.
Effective strategies include: optimizing packaging to increase density (lower class = lower rate), consolidating shipments to fill more trailer space, using freight platforms like Warp that offer simple per-pallet pricing to eliminate classification complexity, and ensuring accurate classification to avoid costly reclassification fees and carrier adjustments.
If a carrier inspects your shipment and determines it belongs in a different class, they will reclassify it and adjust the invoice accordingly. This can result in significantly higher charges plus inspection fees. To avoid this, use accurate weights and dimensions, properly describe your commodity, or use Warp's per-pallet pricing where freight class doesn't affect your rate.