EducationAugust 18, 2026Atlanta Freight Solutions
Understanding Freight Classes: A Complete Guide
If you've ever shipped LTL freight, you've encountered freight classes. These classifications, established by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), determine how your shipment is priced. Understanding freight classes can save you significant money and prevent costly reclassification fees.
**What Are Freight Classes?**
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system assigns every type of commodity a freight class ranging from 50 to 500. Lower classes (like 50) get cheaper rates, while higher classes (like 500) cost more. The class is determined by four characteristics:
**1. Density** — The most important factor. Density is calculated as weight divided by volume (pounds per cubic foot). Denser freight = lower class = cheaper rates. For example:
• Class 50: Dense items like bricks, steel, or machinery (50+ lbs/ft³)
• Class 100: Moderate density items like car parts or furniture (8-12 lbs/ft³)
• Class 200: Low density items like mattresses or clothing (4-6 lbs/ft³)
• Class 500: Very low density items like gold dust or ping pong balls (<1 lb/ft³)
**2. Stowability** — How easily can the freight be stored with other cargo? Items that are irregularly shaped, extra long, or require special handling (like hazardous materials) get higher classes because they're harder to load efficiently.
**3. Handling** — Does the freight require special equipment or care? Items that need forklifts, cranes, or careful manual handling cost more to transport and receive higher classifications.
**4. Liability** — What's the risk of damage, theft, or causing damage to other freight? High-value or fragile items carry more risk for the carrier and get classified higher.
**Common Freight Class Examples:**
• Class 50: Fits on a standard pallet, dense (nuts, bolts, steel parts)
• Class 55: Bricks, cement, hardwood flooring
• Class 60: Car accessories, bottled beverages
• Class 65: Car parts, bottled water, books
• Class 70: Food items, auto engines, newspaper
• Class 77.5: Tires, bathroom fixtures
• Class 85: Crated machinery, engines
• Class 92.5: Computers, monitors, refrigerators
• Class 100: Car covers, canvas, wine
• Class 110: Cabinets, table saws
• Class 125: Small appliances, vending machines
• Class 150: Auto sheet metal, bookcases
• Class 175: Clothing, couches
• Class 200: Sheet metal parts, mattresses
• Class 250: Bamboo furniture, mattresses (boxed)
• Class 300: Wood cabinets, model boats
• Class 400: Deer antlers
• Class 500: Bags of gold dust, ping pong balls
**How to Get Your Freight Class Right**
The single best thing you can do is measure and weigh your shipment accurately before booking. Calculate the density yourself:
1. Measure the length, width, and height of each pallet in inches
2. Multiply L × W × H to get cubic inches
3. Divide by 1,728 to convert to cubic feet
4. Divide the weight by the cubic feet to get density (lbs/ft³)
5. Use the NMFC density chart to find your class
If your actual density doesn't match the class you booked, the carrier will reclassify your shipment and charge you the difference — often with an additional reclassification fee.
At Atlanta Freight Solutions, we help you determine the correct freight class before you ship, preventing costly surprises and ensuring you get the best possible rate.
**What Are Freight Classes?**
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system assigns every type of commodity a freight class ranging from 50 to 500. Lower classes (like 50) get cheaper rates, while higher classes (like 500) cost more. The class is determined by four characteristics:
**1. Density** — The most important factor. Density is calculated as weight divided by volume (pounds per cubic foot). Denser freight = lower class = cheaper rates. For example:
• Class 50: Dense items like bricks, steel, or machinery (50+ lbs/ft³)
• Class 100: Moderate density items like car parts or furniture (8-12 lbs/ft³)
• Class 200: Low density items like mattresses or clothing (4-6 lbs/ft³)
• Class 500: Very low density items like gold dust or ping pong balls (<1 lb/ft³)
**2. Stowability** — How easily can the freight be stored with other cargo? Items that are irregularly shaped, extra long, or require special handling (like hazardous materials) get higher classes because they're harder to load efficiently.
**3. Handling** — Does the freight require special equipment or care? Items that need forklifts, cranes, or careful manual handling cost more to transport and receive higher classifications.
**4. Liability** — What's the risk of damage, theft, or causing damage to other freight? High-value or fragile items carry more risk for the carrier and get classified higher.
**Common Freight Class Examples:**
• Class 50: Fits on a standard pallet, dense (nuts, bolts, steel parts)
• Class 55: Bricks, cement, hardwood flooring
• Class 60: Car accessories, bottled beverages
• Class 65: Car parts, bottled water, books
• Class 70: Food items, auto engines, newspaper
• Class 77.5: Tires, bathroom fixtures
• Class 85: Crated machinery, engines
• Class 92.5: Computers, monitors, refrigerators
• Class 100: Car covers, canvas, wine
• Class 110: Cabinets, table saws
• Class 125: Small appliances, vending machines
• Class 150: Auto sheet metal, bookcases
• Class 175: Clothing, couches
• Class 200: Sheet metal parts, mattresses
• Class 250: Bamboo furniture, mattresses (boxed)
• Class 300: Wood cabinets, model boats
• Class 400: Deer antlers
• Class 500: Bags of gold dust, ping pong balls
**How to Get Your Freight Class Right**
The single best thing you can do is measure and weigh your shipment accurately before booking. Calculate the density yourself:
1. Measure the length, width, and height of each pallet in inches
2. Multiply L × W × H to get cubic inches
3. Divide by 1,728 to convert to cubic feet
4. Divide the weight by the cubic feet to get density (lbs/ft³)
5. Use the NMFC density chart to find your class
If your actual density doesn't match the class you booked, the carrier will reclassify your shipment and charge you the difference — often with an additional reclassification fee.
At Atlanta Freight Solutions, we help you determine the correct freight class before you ship, preventing costly surprises and ensuring you get the best possible rate.