What Is Freight Class 60 in LTL Shipping?
Freight Class 60 is a dense LTL freight class. On the current 13-tier density scale, Class 60 covers shipments from 30 to under 35 lb/ft³. Class 55 is the next denser tier, while Class 65 is the next lower-density tier.
Meaning
A density result from 30.00 up to, but not including, 35.00 lb/ft³ falls in the Class 60 band on the standard 13-tier scale.
Exact boundaries
30.00 lb/ft³ enters Class 60. At 35.00 lb/ft³, the density tier moves to Class 55. Below 30.00 lb/ft³, it moves to Class 65.
No fixed size or weight
There is no single pallet size or weight for Class 60. The class depends on the shipment's packaged weight and cubic volume.
Freight Class 60 Density Thresholds
Class 60 sits between two exact density breakpoints: 30.00 lb/ft³ and 35.00 lb/ft³.
Class 55
35 to <50
lb/ft³
Class 60
30 to <35
lb/ft³
Class 65
22.5 to <30
lb/ft³
29.99 lb/ft³ → Class 65
30.00 lb/ft³ → Class 60
34.99 lb/ft³ → Class 60
35.00 lb/ft³ → Class 55
Click for full sizeHow to Calculate Freight Class 60
Calculate the shipment's cubic feet, then divide the total packaged weight by that volume. If the result is 30 to under 35 lb/ft³, the density estimate is Class 60.
Worked Class 60 calculation
Dimensions
48 × 40 × 40 = 76,800 in³
Cubic Feet
76,800 ÷ 1,728 = 44.44 ft³
Density
1,500 ÷ 44.44 = 33.75 lb/ft³
Estimated Class
60
Freight Class 60 Examples
Shipment examplesThese examples show how packaged dimensions and weight can produce a Class 60 density estimate. Commodity names alone do not determine freight class.
Click for full sizePalletized Tile or Flooring
A dense palletized load using the dimensions shown in the Class 60 infographic.
48 × 40 × 40 in · 1,500 lb
33.75 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 60
Palletized Paper Products
A heavier 48-inch-high handling unit can still land inside the Class 60 density band.
48 × 40 × 48 in · 1,760 lb
33.00 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 60
Packaged Electrical Equipment
At this size, 1,333.33 lb produces approximately 30.00 lb/ft³, the lower boundary of Class 60.
48 × 40 × 40 in · 1,333.33 lb
30.00 lb/ft³
Estimated Class 60
Freight Class 60 Calculator
The calculator is preloaded with the 48 × 40 × 40 in, 1,500 lb Class 60 example above. Change any dimension or the weight to see how density and estimated class change.
When does this example move out of Class 60?
Toward Class 65
At the same 44.44 ft³ volume, dropping below about 1,333.33 lb lowers density below 30 lb/ft³ and moves the estimate into the Class 65 band.
Toward Class 55
At the same 44.44 ft³ volume, reaching about 1,555.56 lb raises density to 35.00 lb/ft³ and moves the estimate into the Class 55 band.
Freight Class 60 vs 50/55/65/70
Class 60 is denser than Classes 65 and 70, but less dense than Class 55. These examples show how different shipment dimensions and weights can result in Freight Class 60.
Click for full sizeFreight Class 55 vs Class 60
- Class 55: 35–<50 lb/ft³.
- Class 60: 30–<35 lb/ft³.
- Same 1,500 lb shipment.
Same 1,500 lb shipment
- 48 × 40 × 36 in = 37.50 lb/ft³ → Class 55.
- 48 × 40 × 40 in = 33.75 lb/ft³ → Class 60.
Freight Class 60 vs Class 65
- Class 60: 30–<35 lb/ft³.
- Class 65: 22.5–<30 lb/ft³.
- Same 1,500 lb shipment.
Same 1,500 lb shipment
- 48 × 40 × 40 in = 33.75 lb/ft³ → Class 60.
- 48 × 40 × 48 in = 28.13 lb/ft³ → Class 65.
Freight Class 60 vs Class 70
- Class 60: 30–<35 lb/ft³.
- Class 70: 15–<22.5 lb/ft³.
- More occupied space can materially change the density-based estimate.
Keeping weight at 1,500 lb
- 48 × 40 × 40 in = 33.75 lb/ft³ → Class 60.
- 48 × 40 × 72 in = 80.00 ft³ and 18.75 lb/ft³ → Class 70.
Freight Class 50 vs Class 60
- Class 50: 50+ lb/ft³.
- Class 60: 30–<35 lb/ft³.
- At 1,500 lb, a more compact unit can move the estimate into Class 50.
At 1,500 lb
- 48 × 40 × 20 in = 67.50 lb/ft³ → Class 50.
- 48 × 40 × 40 in = 33.75 lb/ft³ → Class 60.
Freight Class 60 Requirements
For a density-based Class 60 estimate, the packaged shipment must be 30 to under 35 lb/ft³. Also check whether the commodity has specific NMFC classification rules.
-
Stay inside the Class 60 density band
A density-based Class 60 estimate runs from 30 to under 35 lb/ft³. At 35.00 lb/ft³ the density tier moves to Class 55; below 30.00 lb/ft³ it moves to Class 65.
-
Watch pallet height on dense shipments
Class 60 freight can carry substantial weight in a compact footprint. Extra height, overhang or oversized protection increases cubic volume and can pull a shipment toward the 30 lb/ft³ Class 65 boundary.
-
Include the full handling-unit weight
Use the gross weight of everything shipping together, including the pallet, crate, containment, blocking and packaging. Missing that weight can distort the density calculation near either Class 60 breakpoint.
-
Confirm the commodity classification
Check the NMFC classification for the commodity. Some freight has specific classification rules even when its density falls in the Class 60 range.
Freight Class 60 Packaging Requirements
Package the freight so it can be handled safely, then measure its final outside dimensions. Include the pallet, crate, wrap, overhang and anything else that adds to the shipment's size.
-
Keep dense freight compact on the pallet
Unused pallet footprint, unnecessary height, overhang and bulky protection can quickly reduce density. The page example is 48 × 40 × 40 in at 1,500 lb, or 33.75 lb/ft³; increasing the occupied cube can move that same weight toward Class 65.
-
Restrain the weight without adding unnecessary cube
Class 60 shipments can place significant weight on a relatively small footprint. Secure heavy freight with proper blocking, banding or other protection. Avoid adding unnecessary height or width that increases the shipment's cubic volume.
-
Avoid overhang on a standard pallet
Even a few inches beyond the pallet edge increase the measured length or width and therefore the cubic volume used in the density calculation.
-
Recalculate after crating or containment changes
At 48 × 40 × 40 in, the 1,500 lb example is 33.75 lb/ft³. Increasing the finished height to 48 in drops the same shipment to 28.13 lb/ft³ and into Class 65; reducing the finished height to 36 in raises density to 37.50 lb/ft³ and into Class 55.
Freight Class 60 Weight Limit
Freight Class 60 does not have one universal maximum shipment weight. The weight needed to reach Class 60 depends on the shipment's cubic volume.
Weight window for the 44.44 ft³ example
At a fixed volume of 44.44 ft³, Class 60 begins at about 1,333.33 lb because 1,333.33 ÷ 44.44 ≈ 30.00 lb/ft³. The shipment remains in the Class 60 density band up to, but not including, about 1,555.56 lb. At approximately 1,555.56 lb, density reaches 35.00 lb/ft³ and enters Class 55.
Change the package dimensions and the weight range changes with the cubic volume.
How to Avoid Reclassification and Billing Adjustments
Class 60 sits between exact density breakpoints at 30.00 and 35.00 lb/ft³, so small measurement or weight errors can move a shipment into a neighboring density tier.
Verify the 30.0 and 35.0 breakpoints after packaging
Recalculate density from the final outside dimensions. A small change in height or overhang can push a shipment below 30.0 lb/ft³ into Class 65 or up to 35.0 lb/ft³ into Class 55.
Use a gross weight that matches the finished unit
For the 44.44 ft³ example, about 1,333.33 lb is 30.00 lb/ft³ and about 1,555.56 lb is 35.00 lb/ft³. Missing pallet or packaging weight can therefore change the estimated tier.
Do not confuse Class 60 with an NMFC item number
Class 60 is the density-based class result, not the commodity code. Confirm the applicable commodity description and provisions before tendering the shipment.
Recalculate whenever the handling unit changes
A different pallet footprint, crate height, containment method or protective clearance changes cubic volume and can move a borderline shipment out of Class 60.
What Is the NMFC Code for Freight Class 60?
Freight Class 60 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 30 to under 35 lb/ft³ can correspond to Class 60. Always distinguish the freight class from the separate NMFC item number.
Is Freight Class 60 Hazmat?
No. Freight Class 60 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.
How Does Freight Class 60 Affect Shipping Cost?
Freight Class 60 does not have a set shipping price. Your rate will vary by shipment weight, distance, carrier and any extra services required. Freight class is one of many factors carriers use when pricing an LTL shipment.
Does FedEx Freight Use Class 60?
Yes. FedEx Freight uses freight classes, including Class 60, when class-based pricing applies. Use the shipment's final packaged dimensions and weight to calculate density, and check the commodity's NMFC classification before shipping.
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.