How to determine freight class
Freight class is the number that decides much of the price of a US less-than-truckload (LTL) shipment. It runs from class 50 for dense, durable freight to class 500 for very light, bulky goods, and getting it wrong leads to reclassification fees.
What sets freight class
Four characteristics have traditionally determined class: density, stowability, handling and liability. For most packaged goods, density is the one that matters, and it's the one you can calculate yourself.
Step 1: Measure the shipment
Measure the full handling unit as it will ship: length, width and height of the loaded pallet, in inches, including the pallet and any overhang. Round up.
Step 2: Calculate cubic feet
Multiply the three measurements and divide by 1,728. A 48 × 40 × 50 inch pallet is 96,000 cubic inches, or 55.6 cubic feet.
Step 3: Calculate density
Divide the total weight (including the pallet) by cubic feet. If the pallet above weighs 800 lb, density is 800 ÷ 55.6 = 14.4 lb per cubic foot.
Step 4: Look up the class
| Density (lb per cu ft) | Class |
|---|---|
| 50 or more | 50 |
| 35 to 50 | 55 |
| 30 to 35 | 60 |
| 22.5 to 30 | 65 |
| 15 to 22.5 | 70 |
| 13.5 to 15 | 77.5 |
| 12 to 13.5 | 85 |
| 10.5 to 12 | 92.5 |
| 9 to 10.5 | 100 |
| 8 to 9 | 110 |
| 7 to 8 | 125 |
| 6 to 7 | 150 |
| 5 to 6 | 175 |
| 4 to 5 | 200 |
| 3 to 4 | 250 |
| 2 to 3 | 300 |
| 1 to 2 | 400 |
| Under 1 | 500 |
At 14.4 lb per cubic foot, the example pallet falls in class 77.5.
This is the traditional density scale. The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system has been revised, and some commodities have fixed classes regardless of density. Always confirm the class for your commodity with your carrier or the NMFC.
Avoiding reclassification
- Measure the actual loaded pallet, not an estimate from carton sizes.
- Include the pallet in weight and height.
- Keep freight within the pallet footprint; overhang increases the measured size.
- Build square, flat-topped loads that can't be stacked on unevenly.
Lowering your freight class
Denser shipments get lower classes and lower rates. Right-sized cartons, tighter pallet patterns and avoiding half-empty pallets all push density up. A pallet with a few inches of wasted height is still charged for that height.