Updated for the 2025 NMFC density scale
Freight class calculator
Estimate LTL freight class from density, and use the same page as a freight density calculator. Enter inches and pounds or centimetres and kilograms. The result follows the 13-band scale effective 19 July 2025. It is an estimate: the NMFC item and the carrier govern the class you are billed.
How the calculation works
Density in pounds per cubic foot is total weight divided by total cubic feet. One cubic foot is 1,728 cubic inches. Metric entries are converted with 2.54 centimetres per inch and 0.45359237 kilograms per pound before that division.
Docket 2025-1 expanded the old 11-sub scale to 13 subprovisions. Sub 11 is now 30 but less than 35 pcf at class 60, sub 12 is 35 but less than 50 pcf at class 55, and sub 13 is 50 pcf or greater at class 50. Lower bands are unchanged: under 1 pcf is class 400, and the steps run through 300, 250, 175, 125, 100, 92.5, 85, 70 and 65.
Handling, stowability and liability can still override a density class. This page does not include NMFTA’s licensed item database. ClassIT+ is the official source for item numbers.
2025 density scale
Pounds per cubic foot. Lower bound included, upper bound excluded, except 50 pcf or greater. Source: NMFTA Docket 2025-1 public disposition bulletin and classification FAQs. Not an NMFC item lookup.
| Sub | Density (pcf) | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 but less than 1 | 400 |
| 2 | 1 but less than 2 | 300 |
| 3 | 2 but less than 4 | 250 |
| 4 | 4 but less than 6 | 175 |
| 5 | 6 but less than 8 | 125 |
| 6 | 8 but less than 10 | 100 |
| 7 | 10 but less than 12 | 92.5 |
| 8 | 12 but less than 15 | 85 |
| 9 | 15 but less than 22.5 | 70 |
| 10 | 22.5 but less than 30 | 65 |
| 11 | 30 but less than 35 | 60 |
| 12 | 35 but less than 50 | 55 |
| 13 | 50 or greater | 50 |
Worked examples
US pallet, 500 lb, 48 × 40 × 48 in
A common single pallet. Density is 9.375 lb/ft³, which sits in the 8 and under 10 band.
- Class
- 100
- Density
- 9.375 pcf
- Volume
- 53.33 ft³
Carton, 10 kg, 100 × 50 × 40 cm
The same maths in centimetres and kilograms. 50 kg/m³ is about 3.12 lb/ft³.
- Class
- 250
- Density
- 3.121 pcf
- Volume
- 7.06 ft³
Questions
Is this an LTL freight class calculator and a freight density calculator?
Yes. One page covers both. Freight class here is estimated from density, which is the freight density calculation, using the 2025 NMFC 13-band scale.
What changed on 19 July 2025?
NMFTA Docket 2025-1 made density the primary factor for many items and split the top of the scale into three bands: class 60 from 30 to under 35 pcf, class 55 from 35 to under 50 pcf, and class 50 at 50 pcf or more.
Will a carrier bill this class?
Not necessarily. The result is an estimate from the measurements you enter. The NMFC item, and any handling, stowability or liability concern, can produce a different class. Your carrier’s tariff is what gets invoiced.
Do you publish NMFC item numbers?
No. Item-level NMFC data is licensed. Use ClassIT+ when you need an item number.