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Freight density calculator

Density is total weight divided by total cubic feet, measured across the greatest dimensions of the handling unit. It is one of the inputs to LTL classification, and the one you can calculate yourself.

A worker in a safety vest measures the height of a stretch-wrapped pallet standing on a floor scale in a warehouse.

Units

Freight measured in
Weight in

Greatest dimensions and weight

Next: Compare it with dimensional weightHow to measure freight correctly

The sub and class above come straight off the NMFC density scale, so they are right whenever your commodity classes by density — which most now do, after the July 2025 restructure moved the majority of items onto it. Some items still carry a fixed class in their NMFC item regardless of density, and handling, stowability and liability can override it. The NMFC number itself is specific to the commodity and cannot be worked out from dimensions. Send us the commodity and we will confirm the item number and the class that will actually be billed.

These calculators are for planning and estimating. Carrier rules, classification and usable capacity vary by carrier, equipment and commodity.

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