Freight Class for LTL Shipping Explained

Quick answers: 

• Freight class is one of 18 NMFC-defined categories, numbered 50 to 500, that LTL carriers use to price and handle a shipment.
• The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) sets the class using four factors: density, stowability, handling, and liability.
• An NMFC item number (commonly called an NMFC code) identifies the commodity and, together with its classification provisions, determines which of the 18 classes applies to your item.
• Getting the class or NMFC code wrong is one of the most common causes of a freight reclassification charge, billed after pickup once a carrier inspects the shipment.
• NTG’s density calculator gives shippers a fast way to estimate class before booking.
• NMFC classification rules were updated across multiple dockets between July 2025 and May 2026, expanding the density-based scale; always verify your current class before shipping.

What is Freight Class?

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) defines a class as a way “to establish a commodity’s transportability.” The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) is the standard which enforces this system, grouping commodities into one of 18 classes, ranging from 50 to 500.

The NMFC determines this class using four characteristics: Density, Stowability, Handling and Liability.

Density: An item’s density is determined by its weight and dimensions. Check out our freight density calculator to determine your item’s density in pounds per cubic foot.

Density is calculated with a simple formula: divide the shipment’s weight in pounds by its volume in cubic feet. 

Density (lbs/ft³) = Weight (lbs) ÷ [Length (in) × Width (in) × Height (in) ÷ 1,728] 

For example, a pallet measuring 48″ x 40″ x 48″ with a gross weight of 620 lbs (including the pallet itself) works out to 53.3 cubic feet, giving a density of about 11.6 lbs/ft³. Carriers calculate density using the shipment’s gross weight and full pallet footprint, not just the item alone, so always include the pallet’s own weight and dimensions in the calculation.

The higher the density, the lower the class and ultimately, the lower the cost.  This may seem backward at first glance, but consider this: carriers love shipping freight that is heavy and doesn’t take up much space compared to its weight.

A note on density-only calculators: NTG’s calculator, like most freight class calculators, estimates class using density alone, which covers 13 of the 18 possible classes. The other five classes (77.5, 110, 150, 200, and 500) often apply when handling, stowability, or liability characteristics are involved. The applicable NMFC item and any sub provisions should always be confirmed, since a density calculator gives an estimate rather than a definitive classification.

Stowability: Stowability means how the shipment can be arranged with other freight in the transport vehicle. This takes into account hazardous shipments (which cannot be moved with non-hazardous shipments) or items with strange dimensions that make it difficult to load freight around them. 

Class helps carriers optimize the loading and unloading processes. By grouping freight by size and weight, carriers can stack and organize shipments to fill trailers better

Handling: Handling concerns the item’s ability to be handled as the freight is loaded and unloaded from LTL terminal to LTL terminal. Dimensions, fragility, and packaging play a role in how difficult an item is to handle.

Liability: Liability takes into account the probability of the shipment being damaged or stolen, or damaging other adjacent freight, as well as the perishability or possibility of freight theft of the item.

Favorable vs. high-risk examples by factor: 

Factor	Favorable example	High-risk example
Density	Bricks, steel rods (heavy, compact)	Stuffed furniture, packaged mattresses (light, bulky)
Stowability	Standard boxed goods (stacks easily)	Hazardous materials, oddly shaped items (can’t be loaded near other freight)
Handling	Palletized, uniform boxes	Fragile, easily damaged items requiring special care
Liability	Durable, low-theft-risk goods	High-value electronics, perishables

How Freight Class Affects Your Shipping Price

The lower your freight class, the lower the price.

An item that is a class 50 will be cheaper to ship than an item that is class 500, because LTL carriers use the classification to calculate freight charges and higher classes result in higher rates when shipping LTL freight.

Dense freight, with its lower risk of damage, contrasts with handling fragile items like glass, which is more prone to damage than more robust materials like bricks.

Understanding your freight’s classification is crucial for accurate pricing, ensuring that shippers pay a fair price for both the space occupied and the handling requirements.

Freight Class Chart and NMFC Code List Lookup

Different commodities have a different combination of these four factors and this NMFC codes list divides them into 18 classes numbered from 50 to 500.

• Classes 50 to 70 cover the densest, easiest-to-ship goods, things like bricks, steel rods, and boxed tools, at 15 lb/ft³ or higher.
• Classes 77.5 to 150 cover mid-range density items, including crated machinery, small appliances, and boxed electronics, between 6 and 15 lb/ft³.
• Classes 175 to 500 cover the lightest, bulkiest, or most fragile goods, such as stuffed furniture, packaged mattresses, and high-end electronics, under 6 lb/ft³.

In the table below you will see samples of goods that are usually found in each class.

Class	Density Range (lb/ft³)	Typical Commodities
50	≥ 50	Bricks, cement, steel rods — very dense, easy to stow
55	35–50	Hardwood flooring, rolled textiles — heavy but regular shape
60	30–35	Car parts, machine parts — compact industrial components
65	22.5–30	Bottled beverages, boxed tools — stackable consumer goods
70	15–22.5	Unassembled furniture, canned foods
77.5	13.5–15	Tires, bathroom fixtures — heavier but require care
85	12–13.5	Crated machinery, metal fixtures
92.5	10.5–12	Refrigerators, tool chests — moderate density but bulky
100	9–10.5	Boat covers, garden equipment — low-medium density
110	8–9	Cabinets, framed art pieces — easily damaged or shaped oddly
125	7–8	Small household appliances — light and fragile-ish
150	6–7	Wooden desks, electronic consoles
175	5–6	Upholstered chairs, stuffed furniture
200	4–5	Packaged mattresses, large plastic crates
250	3–4	Bamboo furniture, audio systems — bulky or complex packing
300	2–3	Wooden tables, lightweight kayaks
400	1–2	Deer antlers, large ornamental pieces — very light, fragile
500	< 1	Sculptures, high‑end electronics — minimal density, high liability

What are NMFC Codes?

An NMFC code is a unique number, similar in concept to a PLU code at a grocery store, assigned to every commodity shipped LTL. These codes can be accessed via an NMFC database, which is constantly being updated.

For example, hardwood flooring is assigned class 55 with NMFC #37860, whereas plastic articles are assigned NMFC #156600 with 13 subs, meaning the class is determined by the density.

Sub-code: a sub-code is a variation within a single NMFC item number that assigns a different freight class depending on the shipment’s density range, so one NMFC number can map to several possible classes depending on how dense the specific item is.

NOI: NOI stands for “Not Otherwise Indicated,” the catch-all classification NMFC uses for a commodity that doesn’t have its own specific code; an NOI item is classed based on its density rather than a fixed number.

An item that is density-based means that the freight’s density will determine the class. For example, furniture may fit under NMFC code 79300, which the database says is a density-based code.  If you’re shipping furniture, you’ll need to first determine the item’s density (based on weight, dimensions, and pallet count), and then be able to calculate a freight class. With most density-based classes, a lower density means a higher class, and a higher density means a lower class.

Using our example, let’s say we have 2 tables on standard-sized pallets with the same dimensions (48″x40″x48″). Table #1 weighs 1000 lbs and Table #2 weighs 500 lbs. This means that Table #1 is denser than Table #2, giving it a lower freight classification and a cheaper price.

On the other hand, some commodities are assigned a specified class under their applicable NMFC item rather than being classified solely by density.  The applicable item, any subprovisions, packaging requirements, and other classification rules should always be verified in the current NMFC database rather than assumed from a general example. The only way to know for sure is to get your LTL shipping expert to help you look up your item in the NMFC database.

NMFC Code vs. Freight Class: What’s the Difference?

Freight class is the pricing and handling category itself, one of 18 numbers from 50 to 500, while the NMFC code is the specific commodity identifier that tells a carrier which class applies. In other words, the code identifies what you’re shipping; the class is the resulting price and handling bracket that code maps to.

Most items also have a corresponding class listed directly in the NMFC database entry, so shippers rarely need to look the two up separately once the code is confirmed.

How to Find your Correct Freight Class or NMFC Code

If you’re looking to avoid freight reclasses, the only way to ensure your class is to confirm your freight class using the correct NMFC code and make sure it is visible and legible on the freight BOL used at the time of pickup. Your LTL shipping expert can help you do this, as they should have access to the NMFC database.

Try NTG’s density calculator to get a fast density-based class estimate before you book, or request a freight quote and an NTG expert will confirm it for you.

You can also review our guide on how to avoid LTL reweigh and reclassification charges for additional steps to verify your shipment before pickup

Freight Class Tips & Tricks

• ALWAYS include the NFMC code on the BOL so the carrier can see it.
• ALWAYS include the freight description on the BOL to the best of your ability. Something labeled “shipping item” is much more likely to be re-classed, as the carrier has no idea what the freight is and therefore no idea what class is correct.
• Class calculators can give the exact density of a shipment; however, their classes are always estimates.  Not all items have density-based classes!
• Be aware of carrier habits. All carriers are not created equal and some are harder on re-classes and inspections than others. Know the limitations of the carriers you’ll be using.
• BE HONEST. Resist the urge to cheat on your freight class to fool the freight shipping companies. In the long run (like Vegas) the house always wins and you’ll end up paying penalties for constant re-classes.

Freight Class FAQs

What is NMFC?

NMFC stands for National Motor Freight Classification, the standard maintained by the NMFTA that groups every LTL commodity into one of 18 freight classes.

What does freight class mean?

Freight class is the number, between 50 and 500, that LTL carriers use to price and handle a shipment based on its density, stowability, handling, and liability.

How do you find your freight class?

Confirm your item’s NMFC code in the NMFC database, use a density calculator to estimate class for density-based items, or ask your LTL shipping expert to look it up directly.

Is there a free freight class calculator?

Yes. NTG’s density calculator gives shippers a free, fast density-based class estimate before booking.

What is the NMFC code for class 70?

Class 70 covers a range of commodities rather than one fixed NMFC code; unassembled furniture and canned foods are common examples that fall in this class based on density.

Has NMFC classification changed recently?

 Yes. The NMFTA rolled out major updates in July 2025, fall 2025, and May 2026, expanding the density-based scale and reclassifying thousands of commodities. See NTG’s NMFC changes update for details, or confirm your current class with your LTL shipping expert before booking.

As you can see, there’s a lot to know about freight class, but if you do have questions, we will be able to help you find the correct class for your shipment. NTG is trusted by more than 14,000 shippers to keep freight moving with the right classification the first time. Request a freight quote from NTG today, and let’s get your shipments moving.