What Is Freight Class 55?
Freight Class 55 is a density tier for qualifying packaged LTL shipments that measure 35 to under 50 lb/ft³ on the current 13-tier freight class chart. It sits between Class 50 at 50 lb/ft³ or greater and Class 60 at 30 to under 35 lb/ft³.
- What Class 55 means here: a finished shipment whose density falls from 35.00 up to, but not including, 50.00 lb/ft³ can produce a Class 55 density-based estimate.
- Where the boundaries sit: 50.00 lb/ft³ enters Class 50, while anything below 35.00 lb/ft³ moves into Class 60 or a higher class tier.
- Why weight alone is not enough: the same product can calculate differently when pallet footprint, finished height, containment, crating or overhang changes the occupied cubic space.
Class 55 Thresholds
The Class 55 band starts at 35.00 lb/ft³ and ends immediately before 50.00 lb/ft³. Those two numbers are the key breakpoints to check when a dense shipment is close to Class 50 or Class 60.
Class 50
50+
lb/ft³
Class 55
35 to <50
lb/ft³
Class 60
30 to <35
lb/ft³
Exact breakpoint examples
34.99 lb/ft³ → Class 60
35.00 lb/ft³ → Class 55
49.99 lb/ft³ → Class 55
50.00 lb/ft³ → Class 50
Worked Calculation
Dimensions
48 × 40 × 24 = 46,080 in³
Cubic Feet
46,080 ÷ 1,728 = 26.67 ft³
Density
1,200 ÷ 26.67 = 45.00 lb/ft³
Estimated Class
55
Click for full sizeFreight Class 55 Examples
Shipment examplesThese examples show how different packaged dimensions and weights can produce a Class 55 density estimate. They are density examples, not universal commodity assignments.
Click for full sizeFlagship example
Dense Palletized Freight
A compact, heavily loaded handling unit using the dimensions shown in the primary visual.
48 × 40 × 24 in · 1,200 lb
45.00 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 55
Controlled example
Compact Industrial Components
A taller 48 × 40 pallet can still remain inside Class 55 when total packaged weight rises with the occupied cube.
48 × 40 × 36 in · 1,600 lb
40.00 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 55
Boundary example
At the Class 55 Lower Boundary
This handling unit lands exactly at 35.00 lb/ft³, the lower boundary of the Class 55 density tier.
48 × 40 × 36 in · 1,400 lb
35.00 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 55
Freight Class 55 Calculator
The calculator is preloaded with the 48 × 40 × 24 in, 1,200 lb Class 55 example above. Change any dimension or the weight to see how density and estimated class change.
When does this example move out of Class 55?
Toward Class 60
At the same 26.67 ft³ volume, dropping below about 933.33 lb lowers density below 35 lb/ft³ and moves the estimate into the Class 60 band.
Toward Class 50
At the same 26.67 ft³ volume, reaching about 1,333.33 lb raises density to 50 lb/ft³ and moves the estimate into Class 50.
Freight Class 55 Comparisons
Class 55 sits near the dense end of the current density scale. These comparisons show how much the density range changes as the class number moves upward or downward.
Class 50 vs Class 55
Class 50 begins at 50 lb/ft³. Class 55 covers 35 to under 50 lb/ft³. A shipment at 49.99 stays in Class 55; at 50.00 it reaches Class 50.
Class 55 vs Class 60
Class 55 starts at 35 lb/ft³. Class 60 covers 30 to under 35 lb/ft³, so 35.00 is the exact boundary between the two density tiers.
Freight Class 55 vs 65 and 70
Class 65 covers 22.5 to under 30 lb/ft³ and Class 70 covers 15 to under 22.5. Those tiers represent progressively lower-density freight than Class 55.
Handling, Stowability & Liability for Class 55
A shipment can calculate inside the 35 to under 50 lb/ft³ Class 55 band and still have handling or stowability characteristics that matter to the final classification. Dense freight can be compact, but it may also be unusually heavy for its footprint.
- ✓Handling: verify pallet strength, fork access, restraint and weight distribution for dense handling units.
- ✓Stowability: overhang, irregular shapes, non-stackability or required clearance can make two equally dense shipments use trailer space differently.
- ✓Liability: value, fragility and commodity-specific provisions can matter independently of the density calculation.
Freight Class 55 Packaging Requirements
There is no single universal package style that makes freight Class 55. The practical requirement is to measure and rate the finished handling unit as it will actually be tendered, including the pallet, crate, containment, banding, wrap and any overhang.
Keep the occupied cube accurate
Measure to the outermost packaged points. Unused pallet footprint, protective frames and extra height can lower density even when product weight stays unchanged.
Build for dense freight
Use a pallet or crate rated for the packaged weight, secure the load against movement, preserve fork access and follow any commodity-specific containment or handling provisions.
Packaging can change the density tier: the 1,200 lb example is 45.00 lb/ft³ at 24 in high. If the same footprint and weight expand to 36 in high, density becomes 30.00 lb/ft³ and the density-based estimate moves to Class 60. If the finished height compresses to 21 in, density rises to about 51.43 lb/ft³ and reaches Class 50.
How to Avoid Reclassification and Billing Adjustments
Class 55 has two important boundaries at 35 and 50 lb/ft³. When a shipment is close to either one, small differences in dimensions or gross packaged weight can change the density-based class estimate.
- ✓Measure after packaging is complete, including pallet, wrap, banding, containment and overhang.
- ✓Use the gross weight of the shipping unit, not only the product weight.
- ✓Recalculate after repacking and save the measurements used for the quote when density is close to 35 or 50 lb/ft³.
What Is the NMFC Code for Freight Class 55?
Freight Class 55 is not an NMFC item number. An NMFC item number identifies a commodity or provision; Class 55 is a possible classification result for a qualifying shipment.
- ✓No universal Class 55 code: the class does not map to one NMFC item number.
- ✓NMFC items are commodity-specific: they identify particular commodities and applicable provisions.
- ✓Different goods can share the same result: unrelated shipment types may all calculate to Class 55 when their finished density and applicable provisions support it.
Official proprietary NMFC item numbers are not reproduced on this page.
Is Freight Class 55 Hazmat?
No—Class 55 by itself does not mean a shipment is hazardous. Freight class and hazardous-material status answer different questions.
A dense pallet of metal parts and a regulated liquid shipment could both calculate to the same density tier while having completely different hazardous-material requirements. Hazmat status depends on the material, quantity, packaging, marks, labels, shipping description and applicable regulations.
Does FedEx® Freight Use Class 55?
Class 55 can appear on an LTL quote when the shipment is rated under freight-class rules and the applicable classification supports that result. The class should describe the shipment as tendered, using the finished dimensions, gross weight and applicable commodity provisions.
- ✓Example check: 48 × 40 × 24 in and 1,200 lb gives 45.00 lb/ft³, which falls inside the current Class 55 density band.
- ✓After inspection: a carrier remeasure, reweigh or classification review can change the billed class if the tendered shipment differs from the information used for the quote.
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.
Class 55 Visual References
Use these supporting freight-density and measurement references while reviewing Class 55.
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.