SadaSend — Transactional Email API & Native Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server for AI Agents.
Freight Class & DIM Weight Calculator
Determine official NMFC freight class from cargo density (PCF), evaluate Dimensional (DIM) weight penalties under domestic (166) and air (139) divisors, and estimate total LTL shipping costs with 100% client-side privacy.
Cargo Dimensions & Scale Weights
Carrier DIM Rules & Rate Modeling
Billable Weight & DIM Audit
Estimated LTL Shipping Pro Forma
Automated Dispatch & Consignment Tracking
Dispatching freight manifests to carriers or 3PL warehouses? Automate Bill of Lading delivery notifications and pallet delivery proof via SadaSend’s transaction API.
Explore SadaSend Dispatch TrackingOfficial CCSB 18 NMFC Freight Class Density Reference Matrix
| Class | Minimum Density (PCF) | Maximum Density (PCF) | Standard Commodities | Active Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 50 | 50 lbs/ft³ | Over 50 lbs/ft³ | Steel bolts, nuts, dense castings, lead ingots | — |
| Class 55 | 35 lbs/ft³ | 50 lbs/ft³ | Bricks, cement, mortar, hardwood flooring, ceramic tile | — |
| Class 60 | 30 lbs/ft³ | 35 lbs/ft³ | Car accessories, heavy chemicals, industrial assemblies | — |
| Class 65 | 22.5 lbs/ft³ | 30 lbs/ft³ | Car parts, bottled beverages, printed books, food ingredients | — |
| Class 70 | 15 lbs/ft³ | 22.5 lbs/ft³ | Automobile engines, vehicle parts, industrial hardware | ✓ YOUR SHIPMENT |
| Class 77.5 | 13.5 lbs/ft³ | 15 lbs/ft³ | Tires, bathroom fixtures, snowmobiles, plumbing goods | — |
| Class 85 | 12 lbs/ft³ | 13.5 lbs/ft³ | Cast iron stoves, transmission parts, packaged machinery | — |
| Class 92.5 | 10.5 lbs/ft³ | 12 lbs/ft³ | Desktop computers, monitors, office equipment, electronics | — |
| Class 100 | 9 lbs/ft³ | 10.5 lbs/ft³ | Boat covers, wine cases, car covers, canvas goods | — |
| Class 110 | 8 lbs/ft³ | 9 lbs/ft³ | Cabinets, framed artwork, wrapped furniture | — |
| Class 125 | 7 lbs/ft³ | 8 lbs/ft³ | Toasters, microwave ovens, small home appliances | — |
| Class 150 | 6 lbs/ft³ | 7 lbs/ft³ | Auto sheet metal, refrigerators, packaged laptops | — |
| Class 175 | 5 lbs/ft³ | 6 lbs/ft³ | Clothing, luggage, textile fabrics in rolls | — |
| Class 200 | 4 lbs/ft³ | 5 lbs/ft³ | Aircraft parts, packaged chairs, mattresses, TVs | — |
| Class 250 | 3 lbs/ft³ | 4 lbs/ft³ | Plastic containers, hollow pipes, toys, bamboo furniture | — |
| Class 300 | 2 lbs/ft³ | 3 lbs/ft³ | Assembled wood cabinets, chandeliers, light fixtures | — |
| Class 400 | 1 lbs/ft³ | 2 lbs/ft³ | Deer antlers, light foam cushions, hollow plastic balls | — |
| Class 500 | 0 lbs/ft³ | 1 lbs/ft³ | Bags of feathers, ping pong balls, empty cardboard boxes | — |
How to use this tool
Enter cargo packaging dimensions and pallet count
Input the extreme length, width, and height in inches including pallet overhang and vertical bulges, alongside the total number of handling units.
Input gross scale weight including pallet tare
Enter the total shipment scale weight in pounds (lbs), accounting for 35–45 lbs for standard wooden pallets to prevent carrier re-weigh adjustments.
Audit cargo density in pounds per cubic foot (PCF)
The engine calculates cubic feet and derives cargo density: Total Weight (lbs) divided by Total Volume (cu ft).
Determine official NMFC freight class (50 to 500)
Review the assigned National Motor Freight Classification tier based on standard CCSB density guidelines, from heavy Class 50 to lightweight Class 500.
Compare actual weight against dimensional (DIM) weight
Evaluate billable weight under domestic ground (166 divisor) and international air courier (139 divisor) rules to identify volumetric penalties.
Generate Bill of Lading (BOL) verification PDF or CSV
Export a professional 1-page vector PDF BOL Freight Classification Workpaper for freight brokers, dispatchers, and carrier audits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NMFC Freight Class and how is it determined?
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) is an industry standard administered by the Commodity Classifications Standards Board (CCSB) that categorizes Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight into 18 discrete classes ranging from Class 50 (dense, heavy, inexpensive to ship) to Class 500 (light, bulky, expensive to ship). While four transportation characteristics determine classification—density, handling, stowability, and liability—density (pounds per cubic foot) is the primary determinant for over 85% of commercial shipments.
How do you calculate cargo density in pounds per cubic foot (PCF)?
Density is calculated by dividing total shipment weight (including pallet and packaging) by total exterior volume: Density (PCF) = Total Weight (lbs) / Total Volume (cu ft). To find volume in cubic feet from inches, multiply length × width × height and divide by 1,728: (L" × W" × H") / 1,728. Always measure to the extreme outer dimensions, including pallet overhang and top bulges, because carrier laser dimensioners measure bounding boxes.
What is Dimensional (DIM) Weight and what divisor do carriers use?
Dimensional (DIM) Weight reflects cargo density rather than physical scale weight. Carriers charge whichever is greater: actual scale weight or dimensional weight. In US domestic ground and LTL freight, the standard DIM divisor is 166 (cubic inches / 166). FedEx, UPS, and international air couriers (IATA) standardly use a stricter divisor of 139 (cubic inches / 139), which penalizes lightweight, oversized boxes with higher billable shipping weights.
What causes LTL carrier re-classification and weight adjustment fees?
When an LTL carrier passes pallets through automated forklift scales and overhead laser dimensioners (such as CubiScan), any discrepancy between the Bill of Lading (BOL) declared class and scanned density triggers an automatic re-classification fee (typically $25 to $50) plus back-billed freight charges. The most common cause is failing to include pallet height (typically 5.5 to 6 inches) or pallet tare weight (35 to 45 lbs) on the original BOL.
How do freight classes affect shipping rates and hundredweight (CWT) pricing?
LTL freight is quoted per hundred pounds (CWT). Higher freight classes incur substantially higher CWT base rates to compensate carriers for lost trailer floor space. For example, shipping 1,000 lbs of dense steel castings (Class 50) may cost $35/CWT ($350 base), whereas shipping 1,000 lbs of bulky hollow plastic toys (Class 250) consuming five times the trailer volume can exceed $160/CWT ($1,600 base).
Related Free Engineering & Business Utilities
All tools operate 100% in your browser. No files or confidential business data are ever uploaded.
SadaSend — High-Throughput Transactional Email & Native MCP for AI Agents
Need programmatic email dispatch, human-in-the-loop approvals, or a native MCP server for your LLM agents? SadaSend provides dedicated IP pools, zero spam tolerance, and verified delivery webhooks.
US Customs Duty & Landed Cost Sizer
Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), Section 301 China tariffs, MPF & HMF fees, and landed cost pro forma.
Poultry FCR & EPEF Efficiency Sizer
Broiler feed conversion ratio (FCR), European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF), mortality, and batch margins.
Poultry Layer HDEP & Egg Production Sizer
Hen-Day Egg Production (HDEP %), Hen-Housed rate, feed per dozen eggs, egg grading margins, and Lohmann Brown curves.