What Is Freight Class 300 in LTL Shipping?
Freight Class 300 is a very low-density LTL freight class. On the current 13-tier density scale, Class 300 covers packaged freight from 1 to under 2 lb/ft³.
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Description
Class 300 generally represents packaged freight that is very light for the amount of trailer space it occupies.
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Exact boundaries
1.00 lb/ft³ enters Class 300. At 2.00 lb/ft³, the density tier moves to Class 250. Anything below 1.00 lb/ft³ falls in the Class 400 density band.
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Weight alone does not determine Class 300
The same weight can produce different densities at different shipment sizes. Class 300 depends on packaged weight divided by packaged cubic volume.
Freight Class 300 Density Rule & Thresholds
The Class 300 density rule is straightforward on the current 13-tier scale: 1.00 lb/ft³ up to, but not including, 2.00 lb/ft³.
Class 250
2 to <4
lb/ft³
Class 300
1 to <2
lb/ft³
Class 400
Under 1
lb/ft³
0.99 lb/ft³ → Class 400
1.00 lb/ft³ → Class 300
1.99 lb/ft³ → Class 300
2.00 lb/ft³ → Class 250
How to Calculate Freight Class 300
Calculate cubic feet from the shipment's final outside dimensions, then divide total packaged weight by that volume. A result from 1 to under 2 lb/ft³ estimates as Class 300.
Worked Class 300 calculation
Dimensions
48 × 40 × 48 = 92,160 in³
Cubic Feet
92,160 ÷ 1,728 = 53.33 ft³
Density
80 ÷ 53.33 = 1.50 lb/ft³
Estimated Class
300
Freight Class 300 Examples
Shipment examplesThese examples show how packaged dimensions and weight can produce a Class 300 density estimate. Commodity names alone do not determine freight class.
Click for full size
Lightweight Foam Products
A bulky, lightweight pallet using the same dimensions as the primary Class 300 example.
48 × 40 × 48 in · 80 lb
1.50 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 300
Large Cartons of Lightweight Goods
A taller handling unit can still estimate as Class 300 when its packaged weight remains low relative to its volume.
48 × 40 × 60 in · 100 lb
1.50 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 300
Class 300 Boundary Example
At 53.33 ft³, about 53.34 lb produces 1.00 lb/ft³, the lower boundary of Class 300.
48 × 40 × 48 in · 53.34 lb
1.00 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 300
Freight Class 300 Calculator
The calculator is preloaded with the 48 × 40 × 48 in, 80 lb Class 300 example above. Change any dimension or the weight to see how density and estimated class change.
When does this example move out of Class 300?
Into Class 400
At the same 53.33 ft³ volume, weights of 53.33 lb or less produce density below 1.00 lb/ft³ and move into Class 400.
Class 300 weight window
At the same volume, about 53.34 lb to under 106.67 lb produces 1 to under 2 lb/ft³, the Class 300 band.
Into Class 250
At about 106.67 lb, density reaches 2.00 lb/ft³ and the estimate moves into Class 250.
Freight Class 300 vs 400
Class 300 and Class 400 meet at the 1.00 lb/ft³ boundary. Class 300 covers 1 to under 2 lb/ft³, while Class 400 covers freight under 1 lb/ft³.
Click for full size
Class 300
- ✓ Density: 1 to under 2 lb/ft³.
- ✓ Same 48 × 40 × 48 in package: 80 lb = 1.50 lb/ft³.
- ✓ Estimated Class 300.
Class 400
- ✓ Density: under 1 lb/ft³.
- ✓ Same 48 × 40 × 48 in package: 40 lb = 0.75 lb/ft³.
- ✓ Estimated Class 400.
Freight Class 300 Requirements
For a density-based Class 300 estimate, the finished packaged shipment must calculate from 1 to under 2 lb/ft³. Also check whether the commodity has specific NMFC classification rules.
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Stay inside the Class 300 density band
Below 1.00 lb/ft³, the density tier is Class 400. At 2.00 lb/ft³, the density tier moves to Class 250.
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Measure the final outside dimensions
Include the pallet, cartons, wrap, overhang and anything projecting beyond the load.
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Use total packaged weight
Include everything shipping together. Because Class 300 spans only 1 lb/ft³ of density, relatively small weight or dimension changes can cross a boundary.
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Confirm the commodity classification
A density estimate does not replace the applicable NMFC item or commodity-specific classification provisions.
Freight Class 300 Packaging Requirements
Class 300 freight is very light for the space it occupies. Package the shipment securely, then calculate density from the final outside dimensions—not from the product dimensions before packaging.
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Avoid unnecessary cube
Oversized cartons, unused pallet footprint and excessive empty space can lower density and push a shipment toward Class 400.
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Keep lightweight freight stable
Use suitable wrap, banding, blocking or protective packaging so the load stays secure without adding avoidable volume.
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Measure overhang and projections
Anything extending beyond the pallet can increase cubic volume and lower the shipment's density.
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Recalculate after packaging changes
At 48 × 40 × 48 in, 80 lb is 1.50 lb/ft³ and Class 300. At the same size, 40 lb is 0.75 lb/ft³ and Class 400.
Freight Class 300 by Weight: Is There a Weight Limit?
Freight Class 300 does not have one universal shipment weight or maximum weight. Weight only makes sense together with cubic volume.
Weight window for the 53.33 ft³ example
For a 48 × 40 × 48 in shipment with about 53.33 ft³ of volume, Class 300 begins at about 53.34 lb and continues to just under 106.67 lb.
Class 400
≤53.33 lb
Below 1 lb/ft³
Class 300 window
≈53.34–<106.67 lb
1 to under 2 lb/ft³
Class 250 begins
≈106.67 lb
2 lb/ft³
How Class 300 Shipments Get Reclassified
Class 300 covers the narrow density range from 1.00 to under 2.00 lb/ft³. A verified change in packaged dimensions or weight can therefore move the shipment into Class 400 or Class 250.
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More measured cube can lower density below 1.00 lb/ft³
Extra height, pallet overhang, loose packaging or projections can increase cubic volume enough to move the density estimate into Class 400.
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More packaged weight can move density to Class 250
Once density reaches 2.00 lb/ft³, the current density tier changes from Class 300 to Class 250.
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Use shipment dimensions, not product dimensions
The pallet, cartons, cushioning, wrap and projections are part of the finished handling unit and can materially affect a low-density shipment.
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Density may not be the final classification rule
A shipment can calculate inside the Class 300 density band and still classify differently if the applicable NMFC item or commodity-specific provisions assign another class.
Class 300 example
A 48 × 40 × 48 in shipment has about 53.33 ft³ of volume. At roughly 53.34 lb it reaches 1.00 lb/ft³ and enters Class 300. At roughly 106.67 lb it reaches 2.00 lb/ft³ and moves into Class 250.
What Is the NMFC Code for Freight Class 300?
Freight Class 300 is not an NMFC item number. It is a freight class. The NMFC item number depends on the commodity being shipped and the classification rules that apply to it.
Always distinguish the freight class from the separate NMFC item number.
Is Freight Class 300 Hazmat?
No. Freight Class 300 by itself does not mean a shipment is hazardous material. Hazmat status depends on the actual material being shipped and the hazardous-material rules that apply to it.
If the shipment contains hazardous material, the normal hazmat packaging, labeling and documentation rules still apply.
Does FedEx Freight Use Class 300?
FedEx Freight’s current 13-tier density guidance places density-rated freight from 1 to under 2 lb/ft³ in Class 300. Freight below 1 lb/ft³ maps to Class 400, while 2 to under 4 lb/ft³ maps to Class 250.
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.