FreightPrep

Class comes from density: total weight divided by total cubic feet (length × width × height ÷ 1,728). That figure, in pounds per cubic foot, maps onto the NMFC 13-subprovision density scale, which runs from class 50 for freight at 50 pcf or denser down to class 400 under 1 pcf. This tool applies the scale effective July 2025. Density is only one of the four NMFC factors — the carrier can still reclassify on stowability, handling or liability.

A trailer holds two pallet positions side by side, so pallets travel in rows of two and each row costs the length of its longer pallet. Add those row lengths in inches, divide by 12 and round up. An odd pallet takes a whole row on its own. Linear feet — not weight alone — is what decides whether a shipment prices as standard LTL or as a volume load.

FedEx Freight Volume Services covers roughly 2,500 to 44,000 lbs, or 7 or more linear feet of trailer. Under that the freight is ordinary LTL; over 44,000 lbs it is no longer a volume shipment but a truckload, and it has to be quoted as one. Other carriers set their own thresholds, so treat these as the band to ask about, not a guarantee.

Yes — the kg / cm toggle in step 1 converts every field as you type. Results stay in inches and pounds because US carriers quote in imperial, and a class calculated from converted metric figures has to match what the carrier reweighs on its own dock.

The pallet takes the highest class of anything on it — the FedEx shared-pallet rule. Splitting two very different densities onto separate pallets is often cheaper than combining them, which is why the configuration table shows the class of every pallet, not just one figure for the shipment.

No. FreightPrep prepares the numbers and the copy-ready summary you hand to a carrier or broker; the final class, the rate and any reweigh are set by the carrier. Nothing you type is uploaded — the whole calculation runs in your browser. See the step-by-step guides.