LTL Class Chart: Complete Guide

An LTL class chart shows the 18 freight classifications (Class 50–500) used to determine shipping rates for less-than-truckload freight. As of July 2025, the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) shifted to a density-based system under Docket 2025-1, affecting over 2,000 commodities. Rates are now determined primarily by pounds per cubic foot rather than traditional commodity codes. Understanding where your freight falls on this chart directly determines what you pay — and getting it wrong leads to costly reclassification fees at delivery.

The LTL services industry underwent its most significant classification overhaul in decades when the NMFTA implemented Docket 2025-1 on July 19, 2025. A follow-up, Docket 2026-1, was released on February 6, 2026, continuing the consolidation of commodity listings into the density-based structure. These changes affect approximately 30% of all LTL freight classifications, fundamentally altering how shippers calculate costs and determine freight classes.

What Are the 18 LTL Freight Classes?

The LTL freight classification system contains 18 classes ranging from Class 50 (densest, lowest cost) to Class 500 (least dense, highest cost). Each class represents a density range measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF). The denser and easier to handle your freight, the lower the class — and the lower your shipping cost.

The July 2025 NMFC update expanded the density scale to include Classes 50 and 55 via a new 13-tier density framework, replacing the prior 11-tier system. This change can lower rates for compact, heavy shipments that previously had no dedicated low class.

How Do You Calculate LTL Freight Class Using Density?

Density-based pricing calculates Freight Class by dividing the shipment’s total weight by its cubic dimensions. The NMFTA’s standardized formula applies to freight with no special handling, stowability, or liability requirements. Getting this calculation right before booking protects you from reclassification charges at delivery.

Density (PCF) = Weight (lbs) ÷ Volume (cubic feet)

To find volume in cubic feet, measure length × width × height in inches, then divide the result by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in one cubic foot).

Step-by-Step Density Calculation

1. Measure your freight — Record the extreme dimensions (length × width × height in inches), including all packaging and pallet.
2. Convert to cubic feet — Multiply L × W × H, then divide by 1,728.
3. Calculate density — Divide total shipment weight (lbs) by cubic feet.
4. Find your class — Match the resulting PCF value to the LTL class chart above.

Example: A pallet weighing 500 lbs with dimensions of 48″ × 42″ × 48″ has a volume of (48 × 42 × 48) ÷ 1,728 = 56 cubic feet. Density = 500 ÷ 56 = 8.9 PCF, placing it in Class 110.

What Are the Four Factors That Determine Freight Class?

While density now carries the most weight under the 2025–2026 NMFC overhaul, freight class is still influenced by four key characteristics. Commodities without special handling or liability issues are classified solely by density. Items with complicating factors receive special handling flags under the new system.

The 2026 NMFC system introduces digital handling flags — symbols that identify freight requiring special stowability or liability considerations. These flags ensure transparency between shippers and carriers and replace many of the old commodity-specific exceptions that made classification unpredictable.

How Did the 2025 NMFC Overhaul Change the LTL Class Chart?

Before July 19, 2025, the NMFC relied heavily on commodity-specific codes to determine freight class. Two shipments of the same density could receive different classes simply because of what was inside the box. The Docket 2025-1 overhaul changed that fundamentally.

Under the new system, density is the primary — and for most commodities, the only — classification factor. The NMFTA consolidated approximately 2,000 commodity listings, reducing complexity and making class calculation more predictable. The 13-tier density scale (up from 11 tiers) adds Classes 50 and 55, creating finer gradations at the low-density end.

Docket 2026-1, released February 6, 2026, continues this consolidation effort. A public meeting was held on March 10, 2026 to discuss further refinements. Shippers who have not updated their classification processes since 2024 are likely using outdated codes and face elevated reclassification risk.

What Does a Reclassification Fee Actually Cost?

When a carrier inspects your shipment and finds the declared class is incorrect, they issue a reclassification. This means you pay the corrected rate — which is typically much higher — plus a reclassification fee on top of it.

Reclassification penalties commonly add a significant fee per incident, but the real cost is the rate adjustment itself. Shippers routinely see invoices that are 20–50% higher than the original quote when freight is reclassified upward. On a large shipment, that can translate to hundreds of dollars in unexpected charges.

The most common triggers for reclassification are inaccurate dimensions, missing pallet measurements, or using outdated NMFC codes that no longer apply after the 2025 changes. Since Docket 2026-1 is still consolidating commodity listings, verifying classification regularly is essential throughout 2026.

How Do You Use the LTL Class Chart to Reduce Shipping Costs?

The class chart is not just a lookup table — it’s a cost management tool. Small changes in how freight is packaged or palletized can shift a shipment to a lower class and meaningfully reduce the rate.

Here are practical strategies shippers use to optimize class:

• Repackage to increase density. Tighter packaging reduces dimensional volume. A shipment at 6.8 PCF falls in Class 150 — repackaging it to 7.1 PCF drops it to Class 125 at a meaningfully lower rate.
• Measure everything including the pallet. Carriers measure from the outside of the load. Forgetting pallet height or overhang leads to a higher-than-expected density calculation.
• Use a consistent measurement process. Inconsistent measuring is one of the top causes of reclassification. Train all warehouse staff on the same process.
• Verify your NMFC codes after the 2025 overhaul. Many commodity codes from 2024 are no longer valid. Use ClassIT+, the NMFTA’s official tool, to confirm current classifications.
• Round up, not down. When density falls near a class boundary, declare the higher class. The reclassification penalty and rate adjustment will always cost more than the modest difference in quoted rates.

What Is the Difference Between Freight Class and NMFC Code?

These two terms are related but not the same. The NMFC code is the specific item number assigned to a commodity in the National Motor Freight Classification. The freight class is the rate category (50–500) that the NMFC code maps to.

Before the 2025 overhaul, shippers needed both: the NMFC code to look up the classification rule, and the resulting class for quoting and BOL documentation. Under the density-based system, most commodities now classify directly from density — the NMFC code becomes less central, though still required for items with special handling flags or liability concerns.

When completing a bill of lading, carriers require both the class and, for flagged commodities, the NMFC code. Leaving either field blank or incorrect is one of the fastest ways to trigger an inspection and reclassification at the terminal.

Which Freight Classes Are Most Commonly Used?

The majority of commercial LTL freight falls between Class 70 and Class 125. This range covers the bulk of manufactured goods, industrial supplies, consumer products, and packaged materials. Classes below 70 are dominated by construction materials, raw metals, and bulk liquids. Classes above 125 involve specialty items, furniture, and low-density packaged goods.

How Does LTL Class Affect Your Freight Rate?

LTL carriers quote rates per hundredweight (cwt), meaning per 100 lbs. The class multiplies against this base rate to produce your final quote. Moving from Class 70 to Class 85 on a 500-lb shipment can increase the rate by 20–30% depending on the lane and carrier.

Rate differences between adjacent classes are not always linear. The jump from Class 125 to Class 150 is typically steeper than the jump from Class 70 to Class 77.5 in absolute dollar terms. This is why density optimization matters most for shippers in the 100–200 range, where packaging improvements can yield significant savings.

Carriers also apply class-based minimums, fuel surcharges, and accessorial fees on top of the base rate. The freight class affects the base rate calculation, but the total invoice includes all of these additional charges calculated on the same shipment.

For businesses shipping regularly, ParcelPath offers LTL rate comparisons and tools to verify proper classification before booking. Understanding both your freight class and available carrier options helps avoid reclassification fees while securing competitive rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lowest freight class and what qualifies for it?

Class 50 is the lowest LTL freight class, requiring a density of 50 PCF or higher. Qualifying commodities include steel, dense machinery, concrete products, and heavy cast goods. Following the July 2025 NMFC overhaul, Classes 50 and 55 were added to the 13-tier density scale, making them officially accessible for qualifying dense shipments that previously defaulted to Class 60.

Can I change my freight class after booking an LTL shipment?

In most cases, no. Once a bill of lading is issued and the carrier picks up the freight, the declared class is binding. If the carrier inspects and reclassifies at the terminal, you pay the adjustment — you cannot dispute it by changing the BOL after pickup. Always verify class before booking using current NMFC data from ClassIT+ or a qualified freight broker.

How often do freight classes change?

The NMFTA publishes classification dockets throughout the year. In 2025, Docket 2025-1 made sweeping changes effective July 19, 2025. Docket 2026-1 was released February 6, 2026, with further commodity consolidations. Shippers should review their standard commodity classes at least twice per year and whenever the NMFTA announces a new docket cycle.

Does freight class apply to FTL shipments too?

Freight class is an LTL-specific concept. Full truckload (FTL) pricing is based on the lane, weight, and negotiated rate — not density or NMFC class. You still need accurate weights and dimensions for FTL, but the 18-class system does not apply. Freight class only becomes relevant when freight shares trailer space with other shippers’ goods, as in LTL shipping.

What happens if I declare a class that is too low?

If your declared class is lower than what the carrier’s inspection determines, you will receive a reclassification charge. This includes the rate difference between your declared class and the corrected class, plus a reclassification fee that varies by carrier. In some cases, carriers will hold freight until the additional charges are resolved. Accurate classification upfront avoids these delays and costs entirely.

Sources

• National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) – Docket 2025-1, effective July 19, 2025
• National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) – Docket 2026-1, released February 6, 2026
• ClassIT+ Classification Database – NMFTA Official Tool, accessed December 2024
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – LTL Classification Guidelines, updated August 2025

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