A freight class calculator is an essential tool in the shipping industry that helps determine the appropriate freight class for a shipment based on its characteristics.
Freight class is a standardized method used to categorize freight shipments, primarily influencing shipping costs and handling requirements. The FedEx freight class calculator takes into account factors such as density, stowability, handling, and liability to assign a specific class to the cargo.
Consider a shipment of books weighing 500 pounds and occupying 10 cubic feet. Using a ltl freight class calculator, you’d input these values to determine the density (50 pounds per cubic foot). The calculator would then assign a freight class based on this density, likely Class 70 in this case.
Freight Class Calculator
| Item Description | Weight (lbs) | Length (in) | Width (in) | Height (in) | Volume (cu ft) | Density (lbs/cu ft) | Freight Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canned goods | 1500 | 48 | 40 | 36 | 40 | 37.5 | 70 |
| Electronics | 800 | 60 | 48 | 48 | 80 | 10 | 100 |
| Steel pipes | 2000 | 96 | 48 | 24 | 64 | 31.25 | 70 |
| Mattresses | 300 | 80 | 60 | 40 | 111.11 | 2.7 | 150 |
| Machine parts | 1200 | 48 | 36 | 24 | 24 | 50 | 60 |
Freight Class Formula
The Freight Class Formula formula is:
Density = Weight / Volume
Where:
- Weight is measured in pounds
- Volume is measured in cubic feet
For instance, if you have a shipment weighing 1000 pounds that occupies 50 cubic feet, the density calculation would be:
1000 pounds / 50 cubic feet = 20 pounds per cubic foot
How do you determine freight class?
While density is often the starting point, the process considers multiple factors:
- Density: Calculate the pounds per cubic foot as described in the formula above.
- Stowability: Assess how easily the item can be stored with other freight. Unusual shapes or sizes may increase the class.
- Handling: Consider whether the item requires special handling equipment or care.
- Liability: Evaluate the item’s susceptibility to damage, theft, or perishability.
A pallet of bricks might have a high density (over 50 pounds per cubic foot) and be relatively easy to handle and stow, resulting in a low freight class like Class 50.
On the other hand, a shipment of delicate glassware, despite potentially having a similar density, would likely be assigned a higher class due to its fragility and higher liability.
Another example could be a shipment of mattresses. While they might have a low density, their bulky nature affects stowability, potentially resulting in a higher freight class than their density alone would suggest.
What is freight class 70?
Freight class 70 is a specific classification in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system. It typically applies to shipments with a density between 15 and 22.4 pounds per cubic foot. Common items in this class include:
- Car accessories and car parts
- Food items (bottled or canned)
- Hardware
- Automotive engines
For instance, a pallet of canned goods weighing 1500 pounds and occupying 75 cubic feet would have a density of 20 pounds per cubic foot, falling into the Class 70 range.
This class represents items that are relatively dense but not as heavy as lower classes like 50 or 60. Class 70 items generally have moderate handling requirements and liability risks.
How do you calculate freight density?
Calculating freight density process requires knowing the total weight and dimensions of your shipment. Follow these steps:
- Measure the length, width, and height of your shipment in inches.
- Multiply these three measurements to get the total cubic inches.
- Divide the total cubic inches by 1,728 to convert to cubic feet.
- Weigh your shipment in pounds.
- Divide the weight by the cubic feet to get the density in pounds per cubic foot.
let’s calculate the density of a shipment measuring 48″ x 40″ x 36″ and weighing 900 pounds:
- Volume in cubic inches: 48 x 40 x 36 = 69,120 cubic inches
- Convert to cubic feet: 69,120 / 1,728 = 40 cubic feet
- Density calculation: 900 pounds / 40 cubic feet = 22.5 pounds per cubic foot
This density would place the shipment just at the border between Class 70 and Class 65.
What freight class is 100?
Freight class 100 is often considered a baseline in freight classification. It typically applies to shipments with a density between 9 and 10.4 pounds per cubic foot. This class includes a wide variety of goods, such as:
- Car parts and accessories
- Boat parts and accessories
- Caskets
- Cast iron stoves
- Gaming machines
Class 100 represents items that are less dense than lower classes but still have moderate handling requirements. For example, a shipment of car doors weighing 500 pounds and occupying 50 cubic feet would have a density of 10 pounds per cubic foot, falling into Class 100.
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