Freight class is the single biggest factor in your LTL rate besides distance — and it’s set by density, not just what the item is. Enter your dimensions, weight, and piece count below to estimate the NMFC class before you book, so the quote you get doesn’t change at pickup.
Estimate only — carriers may re-class on inspection.
Use this in an LTL quoteWhat is NMFC freight class?
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system sorts LTL freight into 18 classes, from 50 (dense, durable, easy to stack) to 500 (light, bulky, or fragile). A lower class ships cheaper per pound because it takes up less trailer space relative to its weight. Class is driven mainly by density — pounds per cubic foot — along with handling, stowability, and liability.
Why freight class affects your rate
Most carriers price LTL freight by class. Ship the same pallet at class 70 instead of class 125 and the typical quote drops by almost a third in our test (class 125 was about 46% higher), though six carriers priced both the same — which is why an inaccurate class estimate at booking time so often turns into a reclass charge at the carrier’s dock. Knowing your density up front means the quote you accept is the rate you actually pay. Curious how big the difference is? We quoted the same pallets at ten freight classes to find out.
What if your freight class is wrong?
We quoted the same pallets at ten freight classes, from 50 to 500, using real quotes from the carriers on our platform. Pick a shipment, the class you were quoted at and the class the carrier bills, and see what the difference does to the typical quote, the cheapest quote and every carrier’s price. The full results are in our freight class price study.
What if the freight class is wrong?
Pick a shipment, the class you were quoted at and the class the carrier ends up billing. See what that would do to the typical quote, to the cheapest quote and to every carrier we quoted.
Frequently asked questions
Is this calculator’s result the official freight class?
No — it’s a density-based estimate using the standard published NMFC density bands. Actual classification also considers handling, stowability, and liability for specific commodities, and the carrier can reclass at inspection. Use this to get a realistic quote, then confirm the exact class with your carrier.
What if I have multiple pallets with different sizes?
Run the calculator once per distinct pallet size and weight, then use the highest resulting class for a conservative quote — or contact us and we’ll work it out with you directly.
Does a lower freight class always mean a cheaper shipment?
Generally yes, for the same weight and distance — lower classes are denser and use trailer space more efficiently, so carriers price them lower per hundredweight. But total cost still depends on weight, distance, and any accessorial charges like liftgate or residential delivery.