How to Calculate Freight Class (Step by Step, 2025 Rules)
Updated October 14, 2026
For most LTL shipments, freight class now comes down to one number: density, in pounds per cubic foot. Here is how to get it right the first time.
1. Measure each handling unit
Measure length, width and height in inches at the widest points, including the pallet and any overhang. Carriers measure the same way, and overhang is one of the most common reasons freight gets reclassified.
2. Convert to cubic feet
Multiply length × width × height and divide by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot).
3. Divide weight by cubic feet
Use the total weight, including the pallet and packaging. The result is density in pounds per cubic foot (PCF). For several identical pallets, total the weight and the volume first.
4. Look up the class
Since July 19, 2025, NMFC items without special handling, stowability or liability concerns use a 13-tier density scale running from class 400 (under 1 PCF) to class 50 (50 PCF or more). Each range includes its lower bound. See the full table on the freight class calculator.
Worked example
| Pallet | 48 × 40 × 48 in, 350 lb |
|---|---|
| Cubic feet | 92,160 ÷ 1,728 = 53.33 ft³ |
| Density | 350 ÷ 53.33 = 6.56 PCF |
| Class | 125 (6 to under 8 PCF) |
Restacking that pallet to 39.3 inches tall would push it over 8 PCF and into class 100. The calculator shows you this target automatically.
When density isn't the whole story
Hazardous materials, fragile goods and items that can't be stacked may still have a specific NMFC item. If your commodity has one, your carrier's tariff takes priority over a density estimate.
Check your own shipments