Freight Density Calculator

Freight Density Calculator

Freight class directly drives your shipping cost - this calculator computes density and estimates the likely freight class range.

Cubic Feet = (Length x Width x Height) / 1728
Density = Weight / Cubic Feet

Example

A 500 lb shipment, 48x40x48 inches:

Cubic Feet = 53.33 ft┬│ → 9.4 lbs/ft┬│ - Class 150-250 (low density)

Why Density Drives Freight Class

Freight density (weight per cubic foot) is the primary factor determining NMFC freight class - denser, more compact shipments generally receive a lower freight class number and a lower shipping cost per pound than bulky, lightweight shipments that take up more trailer space relative to their weight.

This Is an Estimate, Not an Official Classification

Official freight classification also considers handling difficulty, liability/value, and stowability alongside density - this calculator gives a density-based estimate, but the final billed freight class should be confirmed with your carrier or the official NMFC classification system.