Freight tools

Expedited LTL · Density & DIM

Freight Class & DIM Weight Calculator

18 Freight Classes using the density ranges + dimensional weight

A. Dimensions + weight — exact. One line per handling unit type. Weight = TOTAL for the line.

#DescriptionPieces Length (in)Width (in)Height (in) Total weight (lb) Cu ftDensity (PCF)ClassDIM wt (lb)

A. Result

A. explanation — step by step

B. Freight class + weight — point estimate from editable density assumptions (How it works) when dims are unknown. Weight = TOTAL for the line.

#DescriptionPieces (info only)Freight classTotal weight (lb) Est. cu ftDensity (PCF)ClassEst. DIM wt (lb)

B. Estimated result (assumed densities)

B. explanation — step by step

How it works

Rule source: this tool uses all 18 density ranges from the supplied Excel workbook, including 77.5, 110, 150 and 200. DIM weight still rounds up to the next lb, and Section A classification uses the fixed Excel table above. Section B (class + weight) uses separate, editable density assumptions preset from the user's screenshot; these presets differ from the fixed A bands and affect B only. Excel rounds DIM to the nearest lb, so billable results can still differ. Confirm the applicable carrier tariff before quoting.

Settings

Implied density floor (lb/ft³) = 1,728 ÷ ETL DIM divisor
1,728 ÷ 200 = 8.64 lb/ft³
One cubic foot is 12 × 12 × 12 = 1,728 cubic inches. Dividing by the divisor (in³ per lb) gives the equivalent pounds per cubic foot.

1. Freight class comes from density

Cubic inches = Length × Width × Height × Pieces (measure the outside, including the pallet).
Cubic feet = Cubic inches ÷ 1,728
Density (PCF) = Weight (lb) ÷ Cubic feet
Class = look up the density in the table below.

This tool uses the user-selected 18-class Excel density table as an estimating model, not a guarantee of an NMFC item classification. Minimum densities are inclusive and maximum densities exclusive. Handling, stowability, liability and commodity-specific rules can override density-based estimates, including classes 77.5, 110, 150 and 200. This tool does not look up NMFC item numbers.

Density (lb per cu ft)ClassRated by ETL on (at current divisor)

Section B density assumptions — Edit and Save one class at a time; affects B only

Implied ETL density floor: 1,728 ÷ 200 = 8.64 PCF

B estimate: DIM lb = weight × floor ÷ density used (rounded up). Example: class 400 at 1.5 PCF, 100 lb → 100 × 8.64 ÷ 1.5 = 576 lb. Blank = dims required in A. Values outside a class's A band are allowed but flagged; Section A is never reclassified.

Scale position = (density used − band minimum) ÷ (band maximum − band minimum) × 100%. For class 55, 42.5 PCF is 50% between 35 and 50. Click Edit to move the slider or type a density, then Save. The upper boundary is excluded from A’s class band; 0 PCF is not a valid density. Class 50 has no upper limit, so no percentage applies.

ClassA classification band (read-only)Density used (PCF)Position within bandActionsDIM lb per 1,000 lbNotes

2. ETL bills on dimensional weight

DIM weight = L × W × H × Pieces ÷ 200 (rounded up to the next lb)
Billable weight = the greater of actual weight or DIM weight
Why it matters: dividing by 200 means ETL charges every cubic foot as at least 1,728 ÷ 200 = 8.64 lb. Freight lighter than that is billed on DIM weight.

3. Measuring tips for staff

  • Measure the longest, widest and tallest points, including pallet and overhang.
  • Enter one line per type of handling unit. Two identical pallets = one line with Pieces = 2.
  • Weight on each line is the total for all pieces on that line.
  • Each line gets its own class. If lines differ, the shipment has mixed classes. The average shown is for reference.
  • Metric input is converted to inches and pounds before any rounding or math.