Calculator · Density
Freight density calculator
Density — your weight divided by your volume — is the single number that most shapes your freight class, and therefore the price of an LTL shipment. Enter your pallet’s dimensions and weight to get the density in pounds per cubic foot (PPCF) and its estimated class.
Your result
Enter dimensions and weight to see the density, the volume, and the estimated class.
Estimate. Actual NMFC class also depends on stowability, handling, and liability — not density alone. Use it as a guide and confirm with a quote.
Learn
How density works
Density measures how compact your freight is: how much it weighs against how much space it takes up. You calculate it by dividing the weight (in pounds) by the volume (in cubic feet).
Volume comes from the dimensions: length × width × height. If you measure in inches, divide by 1,728 (the cubic inches in a cubic foot) to get cubic feet.
Denser freight usually classes into a lower — and cheaper — freight class. Packing more densely can literally lower your freight bill.
Reference
Density-to-class guide (general reference)
The standard published guide maps density bands to freight classes. High density means a low (cheaper) class:
| Density (PPCF) | Estimated class |
|---|---|
| 50 or more | 50 |
| 35–50 | 55 |
| 30–35 | 60 |
| 22.5–30 | 65 |
| 15–22.5 | 70 |
| 13.5–15 | 77.5 |
| 12–13.5 | 85 |
| 10.5–12 | 92.5 |
| 9–10.5 | 100 |
| 8–9 | 110 |
| 7–8 | 125 |
| 6–7 | 150 |
| 5–6 | 175 |
| 4–5 | 200 |
| 3–4 | 250 |
| 2–3 | 300 |
| 1–2 | 400 |
| Less than 1 | 500 |
Estimate. Actual NMFC class also depends on stowability, handling, and liability — not density alone. Use it as a guide and confirm with a quote.
Next step
Turn your density into a freight class, or go straight to a quote.