Free tool
Freight density calculator
Enter the dimensions, weight, and piece count of your freight to get its density in pounds per cubic foot.
Shipment
Dimensions of one piece in inches, including the pallet. Weight is the total for all pieces.
Density
Enter the dimensions and weight to see pounds per cubic foot.
Density to freight class
The lower bound of each band is inclusive: exactly 22.5 lb/ft³ rates as class 65, not 70.
| Class | From (lb/ft³) | Up to (lb/ft³) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | No limit |
| 55 | 35 | Under 50 |
| 60 | 30 | Under 35 |
| 65 | 22.5 | Under 30 |
| 70 | 15 | Under 22.5 |
| 77.5 | 13.5 | Under 15 |
| 85 | 12 | Under 13.5 |
| 92.5 | 10.5 | Under 12 |
| 100 | 9 | Under 10.5 |
| 110 | 8 | Under 9 |
| 125 | 7 | Under 8 |
| 150 | 6 | Under 7 |
| 175 | 5 | Under 6 |
| 200 | 4 | Under 5 |
| 250 | 3 | Under 4 |
| 300 | 2 | Under 3 |
| 400 | 1 | Under 2 |
| 500 | 0 | Under 1 |
Need the class as well? Use the freight class calculator.
About freight density
What freight density is
Density is weight divided by volume: pounds of freight per cubic foot of the space it takes up. A 48 × 40 × 48 inch pallet occupies 53.33 cubic feet; at 500 pounds its density is 9.38 lb/ft³. Carriers care because a trailer fills up by space long before it reaches its weight limit, so light, bulky freight costs more to move per pound than dense freight.
The formula
Cubic feet = length × width × height in inches ÷ 1,728. Density = total weight in pounds ÷ cubic feet. For several identical pieces, multiply one piece's cube by the count and divide the total weight by that. Keep the exact measurements until the end — carriers do, and the class breakpoints (10.5, 15, 22.5 lb/ft³ and so on) are hard lines.
Why it changes your rate
Density is the first of the four NMFC classification factors, and for most general freight it is the one that decides the class, which in turn sets the rate. Small changes matter: the same 500-pound pallet moves from class 100 to class 92.5 if it is packed six inches shorter, because 48 × 40 × 42 inches puts its density over 10.5 lb/ft³.
Density and dimensional weight
Parcel carriers apply the same idea differently: they bill the greater of actual weight and dimensional weight, which is cube divided by a fixed divisor. LTL carriers use density to place freight in a class instead, and a growing number also offer density-based rates that skip class altogether. Either way, an accurate measurement is what keeps the invoice matching the quote.
Price it with your own carriers
Enter the same shipment on the quote form and compare every carrier you have connected at your negotiated rates.
Quote this shipmentNot a customer yet? Contact us