What are the 13 freight classes in the 2025 NMFC density scale?

The July 2025 NMFC 2025-1 docket uses a 13-tier density scale: 50 (50+ lb/ft³), 55 (35–50), 60 (30–35), 65 (22.5–30), 70 (15–22.5), 85 (12–15), 92.5 (10–12), 100 (8–10), 125 (6–8), 175 (4–6), 250 (2–4), 300 (1–2), and 400 (under 1 lb/ft³).

What changed in the July 2025 NMFC density scale update?

Effective July 19, 2025, NMFTA revised the density classification scale. Legacy density classes 77.5, 110, 150 and 200 were absorbed into neighboring classes (for example, density that once classed 77.5 now classes 85, and density that once classed 110 now classes 100). The calculator above uses the current 2025 scale and shows the legacy 2021 equivalent for reference.

How can I lower my freight class to save money?

Raise the shipment density: use tighter packaging, stackable flat-packed boxes instead of bulky shapes, combine items into fewer pallets, and avoid oversized boxes with empty space. Even small density gains can drop you into a cheaper class tier.

What is the difference between freight class and an NMFC code?

The freight class (e.g., 70 or 125) is the numeric rating that drives the per-pound LTL rate. The NMFC code is the separate 6-digit commodity identifier assigned by NMFTA to a specific product; it maps to a class but can also override density-based classification for certain commodities.

Freight Class Calculator — Density-Based NMFC Class (2025 Scale)

Q: How is freight class calculated from density?

Freight class from density is calculated in two steps: (1) density = total shipment weight in pounds divided by total volume in cubic feet; (2) find the density tier the result falls into on the NMFC density scale. Denser shipments get a lower (cheaper) class; bulkier shipments get a higher class.

Q: Why does my carrier assign a different class than the calculator?

Density-based classes presume no unusual handling, stowability, or liability characteristics (per NMFTA guidelines). Carriers may assign a higher class for fragile, hazardous, oversized, or hard-to-stow goods, and many commodities carry a fixed class regardless of density. Always confirm the final class with your carrier or the NMFC listing.

Result

NMFC freight class (2025)

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Density

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Volume

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Density (kg/m³)

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Volume (m³)

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Important: density-based class presumes no unusual handling, stowability, or liability characteristics (per NMFTA). Carriers may assign a higher class for fragile, hazardous, oversized, or hard-to-stow freight, and many commodities carry a fixed class regardless of density. This is an estimate — confirm with your carrier or the NMFC listing.

2025 NMFC density-to-class scale

Effective July 19, 2025 (NMFC 2025-1 docket). Your result row highlights after calculating.

Class	Density (lb/ft³)	Example goods

Frequently asked questions

How is freight class calculated from density?

Divide total shipment weight (lb) by total volume (cubic feet) to get density, then find the matching tier on the NMFC density scale. Denser shipments get a lower, cheaper class.

What changed in the July 2025 NMFC update?

The 2025-1 docket revised the density scale: legacy classes 77.5, 110, 150 and 200 were absorbed into neighboring classes. Use the toggle above to compare with the 2021 legacy scale.

Does freight class depend only on density?

No. Density-based classification assumes no unusual handling, stowability, or liability. Fragile, hazardous, or awkwardly shaped freight can be classed higher, and some commodities have fixed classes.

Freight Class Calculator

Your shipment

Result

2025 NMFC density-to-class scale

Frequently asked questions

How is freight class calculated from density?

What changed in the July 2025 NMFC update?

Does freight class depend only on density?

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