Freight Class Chart
The complete NMFC density-based freight class chart: all 18 tiers from Class 50 to Class 500 with their PCF ranges, typical commodities, handling difficulty and liability ratings. Bookmark it as the one table to check before you quote a lane.
| Freight class | Density range (PCF) | Typical commodities | Handling | Liability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 50 | 50.00 or heavier | Clean, dense freight (Steel bolts, auto parts, industrial fasteners) | Easiest | Very Low |
| Class 55 | 35.00 to 50.00 | Bricks, heavy hardware, magnetic tape, boxed fasteners | Easy | Low |
| Class 60 | 30.00 to 35.00 | Car accessories, chemicals, car batteries, ceramic tiles | Easy | Low |
| Class 65 | 22.50 to 30.00 | Car parts, electric motors, food items, printing paper | Moderate | Low |
| Class 70 | 15.00 to 22.50 | Standard freight benchmark: Car accessories, packaged food, auto engines | Standard | Standard |
| Class 77.5 | 13.50 to 15.00 | Tires, snowmobiles, bathroom fixtures, packaged goods | Standard | Moderate |
| Class 85 | 12.00 to 13.50 | Crated machinery, transmissions, engine components | Standard | Moderate |
| Class 92.5 | 10.50 to 12.00 | Computers, telecom gear, heavy machinery, refrigerators | Moderate | Moderate |
| Class 100 | 9.00 to 10.50 | Common threshold: Boxed wine, boat covers, canvas products | Moderate | Moderate |
| Class 110 | 8.00 to 9.00 | Cabinets, framed artwork, wrapped equipment | Difficult | Moderate |
| Class 125 | 7.00 to 8.00 | Small household appliances, copiers, vending machines | Difficult | Moderate |
| Class 150 | 6.00 to 7.00 | Sheet metal work, packaged mirrors, unassembled furniture | Difficult | High |
| Class 175 | 5.00 to 6.00 | Clothing, upholstered furniture, light fixtures | Fragile | High |
| Class 200 | 4.00 to 5.00 | Auto sheet metal parts, aircraft parts, packaging boxes | Fragile | High |
| Class 250 | 3.00 to 4.00 | Bamboo furniture, mattresses, fiberglass displays | Very Fragile | Very High |
| Class 300 | 2.00 to 3.00 | Model airplanes, wooden cabinets, light industrial setups | Hazardous/Bulky | Very High |
| Class 400 | 1.00 to 2.00 | Deer antlers, plastic displays, light hollow containers | Extreme Care | Extreme |
| Class 500 | 0.00 to 1.00 | Lowest density: Ping pong balls, gold leaf, expanded plastic foam | Extreme Care | Maximum |
How to read this LTL freight class chart
This ltl freight class chart is a freight class by density scale: find your PCF in the second column and read the class in the first. Shippers cross-checking an NMFC freight class codes list — or any freight class list NMFC publishes — can verify their tier here. 15 to 22.5 PCF lands on freight class 70, the industry benchmark often quoted as class 70 freight; anything lighter climbs the scale toward Class 500, where the cost per hundredweight peaks. At the dense end, 35 PCF or heavier locks in class 50 freight such as steel bolts, bricks and auto parts, while the classic 9 to 10.5 PCF boxed-goods band is freight class 100.
Why Class 70 is the freight benchmark
Class 70 covers standard packaged freight between 15 and 22.5 PCF, such as car accessories, packaged food and auto engines. Most well-built palletized loads aim for this tier: dense enough to move cheaply, sturdy enough to stack without special handling. If your quote sits far above Class 70, check for trapped air in the packaging before you accept the rate.
Density is necessary, but it is not the whole ruling
The NMFC also weighs handling difficulty, stowability and liability. A shipment can sit in the right PCF band and still be assigned a different class if it is fragile, hard to stack or attractive to thieves. These 18 tiers are the LTL freight classes every national carrier bills against, so use this chart as the planning baseline, then confirm the exact commodity item with your carrier when the freight is unusual.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 18 freight classes?
The NMFC density ladder runs from Class 50 (50 PCF or heavier) through 55, 60, 65, 70, 77.5, 85, 92.5, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 400, down to Class 500 (under 1 PCF). Each tier doubles roughly every few steps of lightness, and the rate per hundredweight climbs with the class.
What is class 70 for freight?
Class 70 covers freight between 15 and 22.5 pounds per cubic foot, such as car accessories, packaged food and auto engines. It is the industry benchmark tier where most well-built palletized loads land, which is why quotes far above Class 70 usually signal trapped air in the packaging.
What freight class is 9 to 10.5 PCF?
Freight between 9.00 and 10.50 pounds per cubic foot is Class 100, a common threshold tier covering items like boxed wine, boat covers and canvas products. Exactly 9.00 PCF still falls inside Class 100 because the tier floor is inclusive.
What freight class is the cheapest?
Class 50 is the cheapest tier on the ladder: clean, dense freight at 50 PCF or heavier, such as steel bolts, auto parts and industrial fasteners. The rate per hundredweight rises with each lighter tier up to Class 500.