Freight class is a number between 50 and 500 assigned by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system that determines how LTL carriers price your shipment. Class 50 is the cheapest to ship. Class 500 is the most expensive. The class is based primarily on density, with stowability, handling difficulty, and liability also factoring in.
The 18 standard freight classes
| Class | Density (lbs/cu ft) | Example commodities |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50+ | Heavy machinery parts, dense metals |
| 55 | 35 to 50 | Bricks, cement, mortar |
| 60 | 30 to 35 | Car parts, engines |
| 65 | 22.5 to 30 | Car accessories, bottled beverages |
| 70 | 15 to 22.5 | Food items, auto parts, tools |
| 77.5 | 13.5 to 15 | Tires, bathroom fixtures |
| 85 | 12 to 13.5 | Crated machinery, transmissions |
| 92.5 | 10.5 to 12 | Computers, monitors, refrigerators |
| 100 | 9 to 10.5 | Boat covers, furniture, wine cases |
| 110 | 8 to 9 | Cabinets, framed art |
| 125 | 7 to 8 | Small appliances, plastic pipe |
| 150 | 6 to 7 | Auto sheet metal, clothing |
| 175 | 5 to 6 | Copiers, furniture |
| 200 | 4 to 5 | Sheet metal parts, aircraft parts |
| 250 | 3 to 4 | Bamboo furniture, mattresses |
| 300 | 2 to 3 | Wood cabinets, tables |
| 400 | 1 to 2 | Deer antlers, ping pong balls |
| 500 | Under 1 | Gold dust, bags of air |
Why it matters for your shipping cost
LTL carriers price by class and weight in hundred-pound increments. A pallet of class 70 costs less per hundred pounds than the same weight at class 125. The difference comes down to density: lower-class freight is easier for carriers to handle efficiently. Get the class wrong and your carrier will reclass the shipment and issue a billing adjustment, often days after delivery when it is hardest to dispute.
Density versus a fixed NMFC item number
Most commodities have a specific NMFC item number that can lock in the class regardless of density. Density-based classes are the fallback when no specific item number applies. The calculators on this site use the density method, which is a reliable starting point for most shipments but not a guarantee for every commodity.
A quick way to check yours
A 500 lb shipment in 44.4 cubic feet works out to 11.26 PCF, landing in class 92.5, the same band as most computers and mid-size electronics. Run your own weight and volume through the Density Calculator for the same result in seconds, or add dimensions and a commodity note in the Freight Class Calculator for a cost range too.
Find your freight class
Enter weight and dimensions above and the calculator returns your class, density and a cost range.