Freight Class Calculator

Welcome to our easy-to-use Freight Class Calculator, the perfect tool for businesses and individuals navigating the complexities of freight shipping. This intuitive calculator is designed to help you quickly determine the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) class for your shipment, ensuring accurate and cost-effective freight charges.

How It Works

1. Enter your shipment details, including weight and dimensions.
2. Our calculator processes this information using the latest NMFC guidelines.
3. Receive your freight class.

Freight Class Calculator

Pallet Dimensions

Length
in.
Width
in.
Height
in.
Pounds
lbs.

Calculation Volume (Length x Width x Height): 0 in. x 0 in. x 0 in. = 0 Cubic Inches

Convert to Cubic Feet: 0 Cubic Inches / 1,728 = 0.00 Cubic Feet

Calculate Density (weight/volume): 0 lbs. / 0.00 Cubic Feet = 0.00 Pounds per Cubic Foot

Freight Class: 0

Freight Class List

CodeFreight TypeWeight per ft3
50Durable freight that fits on a standard 4′ × 4′ pallet50+ lbs.
55Bricks, cement, hardwood flooring, construction materials35–50 lbs.
60Car accessories, car parts30–35 lbs.
65Car accessories and parts, boxed books, bottled drinks22.5–30 lbs.
70Car accessories and parts, auto engines, food items15–22.5 lbs.
77.5Tires, bathroom fixtures13.5–15 lbs.
85Crated machinery, cast iron stoves12–13.5 lbs.
92.5Computers, monitors, refrigerators10.5–12 lbs.
100Car covers, canvas, boat covers, wine cases, caskets9–10.5 lbs.
110Cabinets, framed art, table saws8–9 lbs.
125Small home appliances7–8 lbs.
150Auto sheet metal, bookcases6–7 lbs.
175Clothing, couches, stuffed furniture5–6 lbs.
200Sheet metal parts, aluminum tables, packaged mattresses, aircraft parts4–5 lbs.
250Mattresses and box springs, plasma TVs, bamboo furniture3–4 lbs.
300Model boats, assembled chairs, tables, wood cabinets2–3 lbs.
400Deer antlers1–2 lbs.
500Gold dust, ping pong balls<1 lb.
,

Understanding Freight Classes

Freight classes are categorized from 50 to 500. Lower classes represent denser, less expensive items, while higher classes are for lighter, more valuable items. Understanding this helps in accurate freight classification.

How to Determine a Freight Class

The standard way to determine a freight class is to measure the height, width, and depth of the shipment, multiply them, and divide the number by the weight of the items in pounds by the total cubic feet. The result will represent pounds per cubic foot, or the overall density of the freight. If you are shipping multiple pieces, then you will need to add the weight of each piece together before dividing it.

Density is the key factor for determining a freight class. Lower freight classes reflect items with higher density, meaning they cost less to ship. Lower density items in higher freight classes are more expensive.

Doing all of your freight calculations by hand could be difficult if not impossible in some cases. The easiest way to calculate a freight class is to use a freight class calculator.

Tips for Accurate Freight Class Measurements

There are three criteria you can’t overlook when calculating freight class:

Weight: Use a certified scale for precise weight measurement.
Dimensions: Measure length, width, and height to the nearest inch.
Density: This is calculated by dividing the weight by the cubic volume of the item.

How to Calculate Freight Density

Calculating freight density is done by measuring the length, width, and height of the freight, converting it to cubic square feet by dividing by 1,728, and dividing the weight of the freight in pounds by its total cubic feet.

Four Factors That Determine Freight Class

Freight class is based on density, stowability, handling, and liability.

Density determines how much space an item will occupy based on its weight.
Stowability refers to how easily freight can be loaded and stored onto a truck.
Handling is similar to stowability, but it focuses more on the physical ease or difficulty of loading and unloading a freight.
Liability refers to the probability of your freight becoming damaged or broken during transport. High-risk items with greater liability will incur higher costs.

FAQ

What is a Freight Class?
Freight Class refers to the classification system designed for the purpose of standardizing freight pricing. It is determined by factors such as weight, density, storability, handling, and liability.

Why is Freight Class important?
Knowing the Freight Class of your shipment is vital because it helps in determining the shipping charges. Accurate classification leads to accurate shipping costs and avoids additional charges.

How is Freight Class calculated?
Freight Class is typically calculated by considering the item’s weight, dimensions, density, ease of handling, value, and liability risk. Our Freight Class Calculator simplifies this process by using these parameters to calculate the class automatically.

What are the different Freight Classes?
Freight classes
are numbered from 50 to 500. Lower classes represent denser, less expensive items, while higher classes are for lighter, more valuable items. For example, Class 50 is for heavy freight like bricks, and Class 500 is for very light, high-value items like ping-pong balls.

What Is Less Than Truckload Freight Shipping?
Less than truckload freight is transporting items that are too large for individual parcels but not large enough to take up an entire truck. Also known as LTL shipments, these freights have an average weight range from 500 to 15,000 pounds and are shipped on pallets. LTL shipping rates tend to be $40-50 a pound with larger loads often receiving discounts and lower per-pound rates.

Can the Freight Class change for the same item?
Yes, the Freight Class can change based on the packaging, quantity, and even the carrier’s requirements. It’s always best to reevaluate the class each time you ship an item.

How does our Freight Class Calculator help?
Our calculator simplifies the process of determining the correct Freight Class. By inputting your shipment’s details, it automatically calculates the class, helping you estimate shipping costs more accurately.

What information do I need to use the Freight Class Calculator?
You will need the shipment’s weight, dimensions (length, width, height), and a basic understanding of its density and handling requirements.

Is the Freight Class the only factor in determining shipping costs?
No, while Freight Class is a significant factor, shipping costs also depend on distance, fuel costs, carrier rates, and any additional services like insurance or expedited shipping.

What if I classify my shipment incorrectly?
Incorrect classification can lead to additional charges or reclassification fees. It may also result in shipping delays. Always strive for accurate classification.

Where can I find more information about Freight Classes?
For more detailed information, you can refer to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) tariff, which provides comprehensive guidelines on freight classification.

New Jersey Freight Solutions

At Snapl, we pride ourselves on streamlining the freight process for our merchants, ensuring that they not only save money but also time and resources. Our approach to arranging freight is centered around leveraging our vast network of trusted shipping partners and advanced logistics technology. By doing so, we can offer competitive rates that are typically reserved for large-volume shippers. This is possible because we aggregate the shipping volumes of our merchants, allowing us to negotiate better deals and pass those savings directly onto them.

Our dedicated team of freight experts provides personalized consultation to each merchant, helping them understand the nuances of freight classification and how it affects their shipping costs. We also advise on packaging optimization and consolidation strategies, which can significantly reduce shipping costs by increasing the density of shipments and making better use of the cargo space. Our commitment to transparency means that merchants have full visibility over their shipping costs upfront, allowing them to make informed decisions. Through these comprehensive services, we empower our merchants with the tools and knowledge to streamline their shipping processes, enhance operational efficiency, and achieve substantial cost savings.