How Freight Class Is Determined

Freight class is a standard established by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) to categorize less‑than‑truckload (LTL) shipments for pricing purposes. It’s based on four key factors:

• Density – The shipment’s weight relative to its size (lbs per cubic foot).
• Stowability – How easily the shipment can be stowed with other freight.
• Handling – How easily the shipment can be handled during transit.
• Liability – The value of the shipment and its risk of damage or theft.

The most important of these for most LTL freight is density, which is why our calculator focuses on determining it accurately. Once you know your shipment’s density, you can estimate its freight class using standard NMFC guidelines.

NMFC Freight Class Density Guidelines