Freight Class

How your freight gets its class

Each commodity listed in the NMFC has an item number, and the item decides the class. Some items carry a fixed class because they're fragile, hard to stow or valuable enough to raise the carrier's liability. Many others point to a density scale, where the class depends on how many pounds per cubic foot each handling unit weighs, measured with the pallet and packaging included. That's why the NMFC item number and the freight class aren't the same thing: the item number says what you're shipping, and the class is the rating that item gets.

For density-rated freight the math is short. A 48 × 40 × 48 inch pallet that weighs 500 lb takes up 53.33 cubic feet, so its density is about 9.4 lb per cubic foot. That lands between 8 and 10 on the NMFC density scale, which is class 100. To get the number for your own pallets, use our freight class calculator. It also shows how close you are to the next class line.

What changed in July 2025

The NMFC's 2025-1 docket took effect on July 19, 2025. It replaced the old 11-step density scale with a 13-step one, moved more than 2,000 items to density-based classes and folded many generic item headings together. The new scale runs from class 400 for freight under 1 lb per cubic foot down to class 50 at 50 lb per cubic foot or more. That's why the density scale tops out at 400 while the classification as a whole goes to 500. If you're working from a class chart or a product class you set up before July 2025, check it against the current scale.

Why a carrier can change your class after pickup

The class on your bill of lading is your declaration. The carrier can measure and weigh the freight again, and according to NMFTA, the carrier's measurement is the one that counts and a reclass only ever moves to a higher class. Close to a line, small differences matter: NMFTA's example is a pallet at 15.0 lb per cubic foot shipping at class 70, while the same pallet at 14.9 ships at class 85. For light and medium loads on 48 × 40 pallets, NMFTA suggests building at least 5% above the class threshold so a slightly different reading doesn't push you up a class.

Common mistakes on NMFTA's list include measuring without the pallet, using old default dimensions and rounding in your own favor. Measure the finished pallet from the floor, then put the class on the bill of lading you hand the driver.

When freight class applies

Freight class is an LTL idea: your pallets share a truck with other shippers' freight, so the class helps set what you pay for your share. A full truckload is usually quoted for the whole truck instead, and the LTL vs FTL comparison covers when each makes sense. Parcel carriers handle the same space-versus-weight problem with dimensional weight. Pallet footprints feed straight into the density math, so it helps to know the standard pallet sizes.