Freight density is the weight of a shipment divided by its volume, typically measured in pounds per cubic foot (lbs/ft³) or kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³). It's a critical factor in determining freight class for Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping, which directly impacts shipping costs.

Freight carriers use density to determine how much space your shipment occupies relative to its weight. Higher density shipments (heavy, compact items) are more profitable for carriers and receive lower freight classes, resulting in lower shipping costs. Lower density shipments (light, bulky items) take up more space and receive higher freight classes with higher costs.

This calculator uses the NMFTA (National Motor Freight Traffic Association) official 13-tier density classification system, effective July 19, 2025. The freight class ranges are based on the latest 'Classification Reimagined' initiative.

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