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Freight Class
Definition
Freight class is the category from 50 to 500 that the National Motor Freight Classification assigns to a commodity for LTL pricing, based on density, handling, stowability and liability.
In simple English
It is a number that tells an LTL carrier how easy or hard your freight is to move. Dense, sturdy freight gets a low class; light, bulky or fragile freight gets a high class, and higher classes usually cost more per pound.
What it means
The NMFTA explains that the NMFC "assigns a freight class based on four criteria: density, handling, stowability, liability," with classes ranging from 50 to 500: "there are 18 separate classes ranging within these values, with lower numbers indicating cargo that is relatively easier to ship."[1] It defines density as how heavy the freight is relative to its space, handling as how easy it is to move across a dock, stowability as how well it fits in a trailer and liability as how likely it is to cause or suffer damage.[2]
For commodities classed by density, NMFC Docket 2025-1 adopted a 13-step standard density scale that took effect on July 19, 2025:[3]
| Density (lb per cubic foot) | Class |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 | 400 |
| 1 but less than 2 | 300 |
| 2 but less than 4 | 250 |
| 4 but less than 6 | 175 |
| 6 but less than 8 | 125 |
| 8 but less than 10 | 100 |
| 10 but less than 12 | 92.5 |
| 12 but less than 15 | 85 |
| 15 but less than 22.5 | 70 |
| 22.5 but less than 30 | 65 |
| 30 but less than 35 | 60 |
| 35 but less than 50 | 55 |
| 50 or greater | 50 |
Source: NMFTA Disposition Bulletin 1371.[3] This scale applies to commodities classed by density; many NMFC items are classed on other characteristics too.
Class drives price because base LTL rates rise as class rises: in a typical rate table, as the class increases the rate per hundredweight increases.[4] Getting the class wrong on the bill of lading can lead to a reclass after inspection; see why LTL shipments get reclassified.
Related
Related terms
- Freight DensityFreight density is the weight of a handling unit divided by the space it occupies, usually stated in pounds...Glossary
- NMFCThe National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) is the standard, published by the National Motor Freight...Glossary
- Less-Than-TruckloadLess-than-truckload (LTL) is freight shipping in which several shippers' shipments share one trailer, each...Glossary
- HundredweightA hundredweight (CWT) in U.S. freight is 100 pounds; LTL base rates are commonly quoted per hundredweight.Glossary
- Dimensional WeightDimensional weight is a billing weight calculated from a package's size, length x width x height divided by a...Glossary
Related questions
- How Is LTL Freight Priced?An LTL charge usually starts from a base rate per hundredweight (100 lb) that depends on the freight class...Answer
- Why Was My LTL Shipment Reclassified?Because the carrier found that the class, weight or description on the bill of lading did not match the...Answer
- LTL vs. FTL: Which Should You Use?Use LTL when your freight fills only part of a trailer and can be handled at terminals along the way; you pay...Answer
Related tools
Sources
- NMFTA Help Center, “Classification FAQ: What factors determine NMFC codes?,” Industry standards body. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- National Motor Freight Traffic Association, “What is Freight Class? (NMFC),” Industry standards body. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- National Motor Freight Traffic Association, “Disposition Bulletin 1371, Notice of Disposition: Docket 2025-1,” Industry standards body. Published March 21, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- Georgia Institute of Technology, ISyE course materials, “LTL Module 1 (training white paper, Horizon Logistics, 2010),” Industry training paper. Published 2010. Accessed September 30, 2026.
General operational information, not legal, customs or regulatory advice. Rules and rates change; confirm current requirements with the agency, carrier or contract that governs your shipment.