Enter the size and weight of a pallet or crate. This works out its density and the freight class it falls in on the NMFC density scale.
LTL carriers price freight by class. The lower the class, the lower the rate. For most freight the class now comes from density.
Density bands are from NMFC item 47500, the 13-subprovision scale that became standard with Docket 2025-1 on 19 July 2025. The class that applies to your freight is set by the NMFC item for the commodity, and handling, stowability and liability can move it.
Freight class is a number that LTL carriers use to price a shipment. It comes from the National Motor Freight Classification, published by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association. Classes run from 50 up to 500. Dense freight that packs tight on a trailer gets a low class and a lower rate. Light freight that takes up room gets a high class.
Density is weight divided by cubic feet. Measure the whole handling unit at its longest, widest and tallest points, pallet included. Multiply the three measurements in inches and divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet. Then divide the weight by the cubic feet.
Weight in lb ÷ ((L × W × H in inches) ÷ 1,728) = pounds per cubic foot
A pallet 48 × 40 × 45 in that weighs 450 lb is 50 cubic feet. 450 divided by 50 is 9 pounds per cubic foot, which is class 100.
| Density, pounds per cubic foot | 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 |
| 30 but less than 35 | 60 |
| 35 but less than 50 | 55 |
| 50 or greater | 50 |
Docket 2025-1 took effect on 19 July 2025. The standard density scale went from 11 bands to 13. It added class 55 for freight from 35 to under 50 pounds per cubic foot and class 50 for 50 and up. Thousands of commodity items moved onto the density scale at the same time, so many shippers saw their class change without changing what they ship.
Wholesale orders, retail replenishment and Amazon inbound shipments usually travel LTL. The class on the bill of lading sets the rate, and carriers measure freight on their own docks. A pallet that leans or overhangs measures bigger than the boxes on it, and the carrier can reclass it and bill the difference.
BoxHero preps Amazon FBA shipments and builds B2B and wholesale orders out of Brooklyn. Use the pallet configuration calculator to plan a tighter pallet and the cubic feet calculator for the volume.
Yes. Measure the handling unit as you hand it to the carrier, at its greatest length, width and height, including anything that sticks out. The pallet is part of the unit.
It is an estimate. The class is set by the NMFC item for your commodity, and handling, stowability and liability can change it. Many items now follow the density scale, which is what this uses.
Carriers measure freight and can reclass a shipment and bill the difference when the density does not match what was declared. Measure after the pallet is built and wrapped.
Raise the density. Build the pallet tighter and shorter, keep the load inside the edges of the deck, and use a pallet no bigger than the load.
Tell us your orders a month and units per order. You see a per-order price before you commit to anything.
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