Free Tool
Calculate cubic feet, density (PCF), and estimated NMFC freight class for any LTL shipment. Multi-pallet support. No signup required.
Step 1
The Formula
Density determines your freight class, which determines your LTL rate. Higher density = lower class = lower cost per pound.
Talk to an operator →Reference
Density-based classes for shipments without specific NMFC item numbers. For commodities with assigned NMFC numbers, the published class always takes precedence.
| Density (PCF) | Estimated Class | Typical Commodities |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 | 400 | Ping-pong balls, bouquets of flowers |
| 1 to less than 2 | 300 | Deer antlers, gold leaf |
| 2 to less than 4 | 250 | Bamboo furniture, mattresses |
| 4 to less than 6 | 175 | Clothing, couches, stuffed furniture |
| 6 to less than 8 | 125 | Small household appliances |
| 8 to less than 10 | 100 | Wine cases, caskets |
| 10 to less than 12 | 92.5 | Computers, monitors, refrigerators |
| 12 to less than 15 | 85 | Crated machinery, cast iron stoves |
| 15 to less than 22.5 | 70 | Car accessories, food items, books |
| 22.5 to less than 30 | 65 | Car parts, bottled beverages |
| 30 or greater | 60 | Car parts, steel cables, bricks |
Why Density Matters
Freight density describes how much space your shipment occupies relative to its weight. Carriers use it to determine your NMFC freight class, which directly drives your LTL rate.
Misclassify a shipment and the carrier will reweigh and reclass it, often charging you more after the fact plus a reclassification fee. Get density right up front.
FAQ
How to calculate freight density and PCF, how density sets your NMFC freight class, and how to lower it.
Divide total weight (in pounds) by total volume (in cubic feet). Cubic feet equals length × width × height in inches, divided by 1,728. Example: a 48 × 40 × 48-inch pallet is 53.3 cubic feet, so at 500 lbs the density is about 9.4 PCF. The freight class calculator above runs this automatically for single or multiple pallets.
PCF, pounds per cubic foot, is your freight density. It is the single biggest driver of your LTL freight class: more weight in less space means higher density, a lower class, and a lower cost per pound.
Carriers map density to one of 18 NMFC freight classes, from 50 to 500, using the standard density scale shown in the table above. Denser freight lands in a lower class and earns a better rate. A shipment under 1 PCF is class 400, while one at 30 PCF or more is class 60.
It is an accurate density-based estimate. The actual NMFC class can differ because classification also accounts for stowability, handling, and liability, and some commodities carry a fixed class regardless of density. Use this to anticipate your class, then confirm the exact NMFC item with your carrier or 3PL.
Yes. The density scale is published by the NMFTA and is the industry standard, so density-based class is consistent across carriers. Differences show up only on commodities with specific NMFC item numbers, which always take precedence over the density estimate.
Increase density and classify accurately. Tighter packaging, stacking, and palletizing reduce wasted cubic space and raise PCF, which lowers your class. Getting the class right up front also avoids reweigh and reclassification fees. A managed transportation partner audits both for you.
You've got the density. Now get a managed transportation partner that turns it into the right rate, the right class, and the right service.