Freight Class Calculator

Work out the freight class of any LTL shipment in seconds. Enter each pallet, crate or skid with the pallet included, and the calculator gives you cubic feet, density and the estimated class on the NMFC 13-tier density scale that took effect on July 19, 2025. It also flags units that sit close to a class breakpoint, so you can measure again before a carrier reclasses you.

Emerge Freight Class Calculator

What class is your LTL freight?

Built on the NMFC 13-tier density scale in effect since July 19, 2025. Add each pallet, crate or skid separately, with the pallet included in height and weight.

See the full 13-tier density scale

Density (lb per cubic foot)	Class now	Before July 19, 2025

An estimate for density-rated freight. Items with handling, stowability or liability provisions, and anything your carrier contract classes differently (an FAK, for example), can land in another class. Confirm the NMFC item number before you book.

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How this calculator works

Density is weight divided by volume. The calculator multiplies length x width x height in inches, divides by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divides the weight in pounds by the cubic feet. It matches that density to the 13-tier scale: 50 or more is class 50, 35 to under 50 is class 55, and so on up to class 400 for anything under 1 pound per cubic foot.

Three things make it different from a basic density calculator:

Per handling unit results. Carriers rate each pallet on its own density, so the calculator does too, and shows a blended figure only for reference.
Old scale vs new scale. If a unit's class changed when the NMFC moved from 11 tiers to 13 tiers, you'll see both.
Reclass risk. Units within 5% of a class breakpoint get flagged, and units close to a better class show how much less height would get them there.

Before you book

This is an estimate for density-rated freight. Some NMFC items carry a fixed class or handling, stowability or liability provisions, and your carrier contract may use an FAK. Confirm the NMFC item number, then compare LTL rates on the same freight. For the full walkthrough, worked examples and the mistakes that trigger reclasses, read our guide on how to calculate freight class.

Already an Emerge shipper? Compare LTL rates from your own carriers and brokers on one screen.