Freight Density Calculator
Calculate freight density (PCF) to determine freight class for LTL shipping.
Find the NMFC freight class from density and estimate shipping rates for your shipment.
What Is Freight Density? Freight density = weight (lb) / volume (cubic feet). Measured in PCF — pounds per cubic foot. Density is used to classify Less-than-Truckload (LTL) shipments into freight classes under the NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification). Higher freight class = higher shipping rate per hundredweight (CWT = 100 lb).
Freight Class Scale (NMFC) Freight class ranges from 50 (cheapest, most dense) to 500 (most expensive, least dense). Class 50: density > 50 PCF (sand, rock, steel, dense machinery) Class 55: density 35–50 PCF (hardwood, cast iron, heavy tools) Class 60: density 30–35 PCF (car accessories, cast iron) Class 65: density 22.5–30 PCF (bottled drinks, books, machinery) Class 70: density 15–22.5 PCF (food, appliances, auto parts) Class 77.5: density 13.5–15 PCF (tires, display racks) Class 85: density 12–13.5 PCF (crated machinery, transmissions) Class 92.5: density 10.5–12 PCF (computers, monitors) Class 100: density 9–10.5 PCF (car covers, wine cases) Class 110: density 8–9 PCF (cabinets, framed art) Class 125: density 7–8 PCF (small appliances) Class 150: density 6–7 PCF (electronics, auto sheet metal) Class 175: density 5–6 PCF (clothing, sofas) Class 200: density 4–5 PCF (sheet metal, pillows, furniture) Class 250: density 3–4 PCF (plasma TVs, bamboo furniture) Class 300: density 2–3 PCF (wood cabinets, model boats) Class 400: density 1–2 PCF (deer antlers, ping-pong balls) Class 500: density < 1 PCF (ping-pong balls, low-density foam)
Dimensional vs. Actual Weight Air freight carriers use dimensional (DIM) weight: DIM weight = (L × W × H) / DIM factor. Common DIM factors: UPS/FedEx ground = 139 (inches), FedEx Air = 139. If DIM weight > actual weight, the higher weight is billed. LTL uses density-based freight class rather than DIM weight.
Calculating Volume Volume = length × width × height (all in inches) / 1,728 to convert to cubic feet. For multiple identical boxes: multiply single-box volume by count. Include pallet dimensions if the shipment is palletized (pallet typically 48" × 40" × 6.5" = 7.22 cu ft, 60–75 lb).