Freight Density Calculator

Freight Density and Freight Class

Freight density is crucial for determining your shipment’s freight class, which directly impacts shipping costs and helps avoid unnecessary charges or delays. Understanding your freight’s density can streamline logistics and save time and money. Our Freight Density Calculator simplifies this process, enabling you to quickly estimate the correct freight class based on your shipment’s dimensions and weight, ensuring cost-efficient transportation whether you’re shipping heavy machinery or lightweight bulky goods.

Calculating Your Freight Density

Use our freight density calculator to quickly determine your shipments density in pounds per cubic foot and identify the likely freight class. Simply enter the weight, length, width, and height.

Keep in mind not all items are classified based on density. For accurate freight classification, refer to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) standards.

Freight Class Chart

Density (in lbs per cubic foot)	Freight Class
Less than 1	400
1 but less than 2	300
2 but less than 4	250
4 but less than 6	175
6 but less than 8	125
8 but less than 10	100
10 but less than 12	92.5
12 but less than 15	85
15 but less than 22.5	70
22.5 but less than 30	65
Over 30	60

Length (inches)	Width (inches)	Height (inches)	Weight (pounds)

Total Weight	N/A	lbs.
Total Volume	N/A	cu. ft.
Shipment Density	N/A	lbs. / cu.
Estimated Class	N/A

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Understanding Freight Density and Classes

Freight density is a key factor in determining the appropriate classification for your shipment, which ultimately impacts shipping rates. Density refers to the compactness of a shipment, calculated by dividing the weight by the volume. This relationship between weight and space is critical in the freight industry, as it influences how shipments are priced and transported. Understanding freight density can help you optimize shipping costs and avoid potential reclassification fees.

What is Freight Density and How Do You Calculate it?

Freight density describes how much space an item occupies in relation to its weight. Denser items like steel or machinery take up less space for their weight, typically resulting in lower freight classifications (Class 50–85). Conversely, bulky or fragile items with lower density fall into higher classifications (Class 125–500). Since this is such an important determinant of freight class, accurately calculating it ensures smoother logistics and more predictable costs.

Calculating freight density involves the following steps: Measure the Shipment’s Dimensions: Record the length, width, and height of the shipment, including packaging, in inches. 2. Calculate the Volume: Multiply the length, width, and height. Then divide the result by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot) to convert to cubic feet. 3. Determine Density: Divide the shipment’s total weight (in pounds) by the calculated cubic feet to find the density in pounds per cubic foot.

Density Formula

L x W x H (Inches) / 1728 = Cubic Feet LBS / Cubic Feet = Density (PCF)

Freight Classes and NMFC Standards

The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system categorizes commodities into 18 freight classes (50 to 500), based on four key factors: density, handling, stowability, and liability. Items with higher density typically fall into lower classes, resulting in lower shipping rates, while lighter or bulkier items are assigned higher classes. For an accurate classification, review the NMFC guidelines or consult with a freight expert.

Why Freight Density Matters

Freight density directly impacts your shipping rates and ensures accurate freight classification. Dense shipments are typically less costly to transport, while low-density shipments require more space and resources, increasing costs. Knowing your shipment’s density helps you plan effectively, save money, and minimize the risk of reclassification fees. If you need assistance determining the correct NMFC freight class based on density, or have questions about your shipment, contact our team of freight experts.