What Is Freight Class 100?
Freight Class 100 is the density tier for qualifying packaged LTL shipments that measure 8 to under 10 lb/ft³ on the current 13-tier density scale. It sits between Class 92.5 at 10 to under 12 lb/ft³ and Class 125 at 6 to under 8 lb/ft³.
- Meaning: a finished shipment whose density is at least 8 but less than 10 lb/ft³ can produce a Class 100 density-based estimate.
- Boundaries: 10.00 lb/ft³ enters Class 92.5, while a density just below 8.00 lb/ft³ enters Class 125.
- Not weight alone: Class 100 by weight cannot be determined without the finished cubic volume of the handling unit.
Class 100 Thresholds
The Class 100 density band starts at 8.00 lb/ft³ and ends immediately before 10.00 lb/ft³. Those are the two key breakpoints when a shipment is close to Class 125 or Class 92.5.
Class 92.5
10 to <12
lb/ft³
Class 100
8 to <10
lb/ft³
Class 125
6 to <8
lb/ft³
Exact breakpoint examples
7.99 lb/ft³ Class 125
8.00 lb/ft³ Class 100
9.99 lb/ft³ Class 100
10.00 lb/ft³ Class 92.5
Click for full sizeHow to Calculate Freight Class 100
Calculate the cubic feet of the finished handling unit, divide total packaged weight by that volume, then compare the density with the current class scale. A density from 8 to under 10 lb/ft³ produces a Class 100 density-based estimate.
Worked Class 100 calculation
Dimensions
48 × 40 × 60 = 115,200 in³
Cubic Feet
115,200 ÷ 1,728 = 66.67 ft³
Density
600 ÷ 66.67 = 9.00 lb/ft³
Estimated Class
100
Freight Class 100 Examples
Shipment examplesThese examples show how packaged dimensions and weight can produce a Class 100 density estimate. They are density examples, not universal commodity assignments.
Click for full sizeFlagship example
Palletized Boxed Freight
A moderately tall palletized handling unit using the dimensions shown in the primary visual.
48 × 40 × 60 in · 600 lb
9.00 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 100
Controlled example
Shorter Boxed Pallet
A shorter handling unit can remain in Class 100 when its packaged weight is lower in proportion to the occupied cube.
48 × 40 × 48 in · 500 lb
9.38 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 100
Boundary example
At the Class 100 Lower Boundary
This handling unit lands exactly at 8.00 lb/ft³, the lower boundary of the Class 100 density tier.
48 × 40 × 72 in · 640 lb
8.00 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 100
Freight Class 100 Calculator
The calculator is preloaded with the 48 × 40 × 60 in, 600 lb Class 100 example above. Change any dimension or the weight to see how density and estimated class change.
When does this example move out of Class 100?
Toward Class 125
At the same finished volume, reducing weight until density falls below 8.00 lb/ft³ moves the estimate into the Class 125 band.
Toward Class 92.5
At the same finished volume, increasing weight until density reaches 10.00 lb/ft³ moves the estimate into the Class 92.5 band.
Freight Class 100 Comparisons
Compare Class 100 with lower-density and higher-density freight classes. The finished packaged density determines where a shipment falls on the current density scale.
Freight Class 100 vs Class 125
- Class 100: 8 to under 10 lb/ft³.
- Class 125: 6 to under 8 lb/ft³.
- A taller package lowers density enough to move the same weight from Class 100 into Class 125.
Same 600 lb shipment
- 48 × 40 × 60 in = 9.0 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 100.
- 48 × 40 × 72 in = 7.5 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 125.
Freight Class 100 vs Class 175
- Class 100: 8 to under 10 lb/ft³.
- Class 175: 4 to under 6 lb/ft³.
- A substantially taller handling unit can lower density from Class 100 into Class 175.
Same 600 lb shipment
- 48 × 40 × 60 in = 9.0 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 100.
- 48 × 40 × 96 in = 5.6 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 175.
Freight Class 100 vs Class 92.5
- Class 100: 8 to under 10 lb/ft³.
- Class 92.5: 10 to under 12 lb/ft³.
- A more compact package raises density enough to move the same weight from Class 100 into Class 92.5.
Same 600 lb shipment
- 48 × 40 × 60 in = 9.0 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 100.
- 48 × 40 × 48 in = 11.25 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 92.5.
Freight Class 100 vs Class 85
- Class 100: 8 to under 10 lb/ft³.
- Class 85: 12 to under 15 lb/ft³.
- Reducing occupied cube further can raise the same shipment into the Class 85 density band.
Same 600 lb shipment
- 48 × 40 × 60 in = 9.0 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 100.
- 48 × 40 × 40 in = 13.5 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 85.
Freight Class 100 vs Class 70
- Class 100: 8 to under 10 lb/ft³.
- Class 70: 15 to under 22.5 lb/ft³.
- A much more compact handling unit can raise density enough to reach Class 70.
Same 600 lb shipment
- 48 × 40 × 60 in = 9.0 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 100.
- 48 × 40 × 30 in = 18.0 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 70.
Freight Class 100 vs Class 65
- Class 100: 8 to under 10 lb/ft³.
- Class 65: 22.5 to under 30 lb/ft³.
- At the same 600 lb weight, a 24 in height reaches the lower boundary of Class 65.
Same 600 lb shipment
- 48 × 40 × 60 in = 9.0 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 100.
- 48 × 40 × 24 in = 22.5 lb/ft³ = estimated Class 65.
Freight Class 100 Requirements
There is no single commodity rule that automatically makes freight Class 100. For a density-based Class 100 estimate, the finished packaged shipment must measure 8 to under 10 lb/ft³, and the shipment still needs to be described and tendered under any applicable NMFC provisions.
Stay inside the Class 100 density band
A density-based Class 100 estimate runs from 8 to under 10 lb/ft³. At 10.00 lb/ft³ the density tier moves to Class 92.5; below 8.00 lb/ft³ it moves to Class 125.
Measure the complete outside cube
Class 100 freight is more sensitive to added cubic space than a dense compact shipment. Include pallet height, cartons, crate walls, protective clearance and any overhang in the finished outside dimensions.
Use the full packaged weight
Use the gross weight of everything shipping together, including the pallet, crate, packaging and containment. Weight without finished volume is not enough to determine the density tier.
Confirm the commodity classification
A calculated density of 8 to under 10 lb/ft³ can support a Class 100 estimate when a density-based provision applies, but the applicable commodity description and NMFC provisions still govern the final classification.
Freight Class 100 by Weight and Dimensions
Freight Class 100 cannot be determined by weight alone. Weight and finished dimensions work together because they determine the shipment density.
Using the 600 lb flagship example
At a fixed packaged weight of 600 lb, the Class 100 density band of 8 to under 10 lb/ft³ corresponds to a finished volume of more than 60.00 ft³ and up to 75.00 ft³.
- At exactly 60.00 ft³, density is 10.00 lb/ft³ and enters Class 92.5.
- Above 60.00 ft³ through 75.00 ft³, density stays in the Class 100 band.
- Above 75.00 ft³, the shipment first moves into Class 125; if volume increases beyond 100.00 ft³ at the same 600 lb weight, density falls below 6.00 lb/ft³ and enters Class 175.
What that means on a 48 × 40 in pallet
With the 600 lb weight held constant and a 48 × 40 in footprint, Class 100 corresponds to a finished height of more than 54 in and up to 67.5 in. The flagship 60 in height sits comfortably inside that window at 9.00 lb/ft³.
How to Avoid Reclassification and Billing Adjustments
Class 100 sits between exact density breakpoints at 8.00 and 10.00 lb/ft³, so measurement or weight changes can move a shipment into a neighboring density tier.
Verify the 8.0 and 10.0 breakpoints after packaging
Recalculate density from the final outside dimensions. Added height, overhang or protective clearance can push density below 8.0 lb/ft³ into Class 125, while a smaller cube can raise density to 10.0 lb/ft³ and enter Class 92.5.
Watch height changes on the 600 lb example
At 48 × 40 × 54 in, the shipment occupies 60.00 ft³ and reaches 10.00 lb/ft³, entering Class 92.5. Increasing height beyond 67.5 in pushes volume above 75.00 ft³ and density below 8.00 lb/ft³ toward Class 125.
Use a gross weight that matches the finished unit
Include the pallet, packaging, crate or containment in the entered weight. An incomplete weight can change the calculated density and estimated class.
Do not confuse Class 100 with an NMFC item number
Class 100 is the density-based class result, not the commodity code. Confirm the applicable commodity description and provisions before tendering the shipment.
What Is the NMFC Code for Freight Class 100?
Freight Class 100 is not an NMFC item number. It is a freight class. The applicable NMFC item or commodity description depends on what is being shipped and the provisions that apply to that commodity.
If a density-based provision applies, a finished shipment density from 8 to under 10 lb/ft³ can correspond to Class 100. Always distinguish the freight class from the separate NMFC item number.
Is Freight Class 100 Hazmat?
No. Freight Class 100 by itself does not mean a shipment is hazardous material. Freight class and hazmat status answer different questions. Hazmat status depends on the actual material being shipped and the hazardous-material rules that apply to it.
A Class 100 density estimate does not remove any labeling, documentation, packaging or carrier requirements that may apply to a hazardous commodity.
Does FedEx Freight Use Class 100?
Class 100 can be used for an LTL shipment when the applicable rating and classification rules support that class. A density result of 8 to under 10 lb/ft³ is useful for estimating Class 100, but the carrier can still rely on the shipment description, applicable NMFC provisions, measurements, weight and other rating information.
Use the calculator on this page as a planning estimate, then confirm the final class and shipment details with the carrier or your shipping system before tender.
Continue Planning Your LTL Shipment
Use the full freight class, density, pallet, and linear-feet tools for the next stage of shipment planning.
Freight Class Calculator
Estimate class from finished packaged dimensions, weight, and density.
Freight Density Calculator
Calculate cubic feet and pounds per cubic foot.
Pallet Freight Calculator
Plan pallet dimensions, shipment weight, density, and configuration.
Freight Linear Feet Calculator
Estimate trailer-space usage for pallets and non-stackable freight.
Freight classes shown on this page are density-based estimates for shipment planning. Actual classification may also depend on value, handling requirements, liability, stowability, dimensions, and applicable commodity-specific provisions. Confirm the final freight class with your carrier, broker, or official NMFC resources before shipping. NMFC® is a registered trademark of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. FreightClassCalculator.tools is an independent calculator and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or licensed by NMFTA.