Single pallet
Standard Loaded Pallet
One 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet weighing 800 lb.
Loaded pallet
48 × 40 × 48 in · 800 lb
Cube
53.33 ft³
Density
15.00 lb/ft³
Estimated class
Class 70
Free Pallet Freight Class Calculator
Single · Multiple · Mixed Pallets
Pallet Freight Class Calculator
Pallet shipping examples
Pallet Freight Class Examples
See how loaded dimensions, weight, quantity, and mixed pallet groups affect cube, density, and the estimated freight class. Load any example into the calculator to review the full result.
Multiple identical pallets
Three Matching Pallets
Three identical 48 × 40 × 42 in pallets at 900 lb each.
Per pallet
48 × 40 × 42 in · 900 lb
Cube
46.67 ft³
Density
19.29 lb/ft³
Shipment total
3 pallets · 2,700 lb · 140.00 ft³
Class 70
Mixed pallet shipment
Two Different Pallet Groups
One dense standard pallet plus one taller, lighter pallet entered as separate groups.
Group 1
48 × 40 × 48 in · 800 lb
15.00 lb/ft³ · Class 70
Group 2
48 × 40 × 60 in · 500 lb
7.50 lb/ft³ · Class 125
Combined shipment
2 pallets · 1,300 lb · 120.00 ft³
Overall density 10.83 lb/ft³ · Class 92.5
The calculator also flags the different pallet-group class bands.
Examples are for planning illustration. Final freight class can vary by commodity classification, packaging, handling, stowability, liability, applicable NMFC provisions, and carrier rules.
Pallet-specific guidance
Freight Class for Pallets
- Pallet freight class is based on the complete loaded shipment, not the pallet footprint alone.
- Loaded height, total weight, packaging, and overhang can all change shipment density.
- Two loads on the same 48×40 pallet can have different estimated freight classes if their size or weight differs.
- Higher-density pallet loads generally fall into lower density-based classes, while lower-density loads can fall into higher classes.
Freight Class for Empty Pallets
- Empty pallets can have low density because they take up trailer space while weighing much less than loaded pallets.
- Stack height and total stack weight can significantly change the density and estimated freight class.
- Stacking, nesting, banding, and other packaging methods can change the total shipping cube.
- Empty wooden pallets may produce a different estimate depending on how tightly and how high they are stacked.
Shipping empty pallets? See our Empty Pallet Freight Class guide for more specific examples and shipping considerations.
Freight Class for Wood Pallets
- Wood pallets do not have one fixed freight class.
- The estimated class depends on the size, weight, and density of the complete shipment.
- A dense load may fall into a lower class, while a lighter or taller load may fall into a higher class.
- If the wood pallets themselves are being shipped, stack height and total stack weight can significantly affect density.
See our Wood Pallets Freight Class guide for more specific examples and shipping considerations.
Freight Class for Plastic Pallets
- Plastic pallets do not have one fixed freight class.
- The estimated class depends on the size, weight, and density of the complete shipment.
- Plastic pallets are often lighter than wood pallets, which can slightly reduce total shipment weight and density.
- When empty plastic pallets are shipped in stacks, stack height and total stack weight can have a large effect on density.
Shipping plastic pallets themselves? See our Plastic Pallets Freight Class guide for more specific examples and shipping considerations.
Pallet measurement
How to Measure a Pallet for Freight Class
Measure the finished load, use quantity for identical pallets, and flag handling conditions that may affect planning.
Measure the Loaded Pallet
- ✓Measure after wrapping and strapping.
- ✓Include pallet deck, caps, and overhang.
- ✓Use the widest and tallest outside points.
Single, Multiple & Mixed Pallets
- ✓Use quantity for identical pallets.
- ✓Duplicate a completed pallet row.
- ✓Add rows for different sizes or weights.
Handling Checks
- ✓Flag limited or non-stackable freight.
- ✓Include overhang in entered dimensions.
- ✓Review mixed class-band warnings.
Calculator logic
Pallet Freight Calculator Methodology
For each pallet group, the calculator uses the fully loaded outside dimensions and weight to calculate cube and density. It then maps density to the matching estimated class band and combines pallet groups for shipment totals.
1
CUBIC VOLUME (FT³)
Calculate pallet cube
Loaded length × width × height is converted to cubic feet for each pallet group.
2
DENSITY (PCF)
Calculate pallet density
Loaded weight is divided by occupied cubic feet to calculate pounds per cubic foot.
3
13-TIER SCALE
Estimate class band
The density result is mapped to the matching class band on the 13-tier density scale used by this calculator.
Plan Your LTL Shipment
Freight Planning Tools
Use the freight class, density, pallet, and linear-feet tools together to plan packaged LTL freight.
Freight Class Calculator
Estimate freight class from packaged dimensions, weight, and density.
Freight Density Calculator
Calculate cubic feet and pounds per cubic foot.
Pallet Freight Class Calculator
Current toolCalculate pallet density, shipment weight, and estimated freight class.
Freight Linear Feet Calculator
Estimate trailer-space usage for packaged freight.
Freight Class Lookup
Freight Class Lookup by Commodity
Explore shipment examples, packaging considerations, and calculator guidance for common freight categories.
Machinery Freight Class
Skidded, crated, irregular, and oversized machinery shipments.
Machine Parts Freight Class
Packaging and density considerations for machine components.
Engines Freight Class
Crated, palletized, and protected engine shipments.
Cabinets Freight Class
Cabinet construction, packaging, and shipment-density examples.
Electronics Freight Class
Packaged electronics, equipment, and handling considerations.
Furniture Freight Class
Palletized, boxed, assembled, and flat-packed furniture.
Freight Class Lookup
Browse freight class pages for machinery, electronics, furniture, food, packaging, hose, and auto parts.
Visual References
Pallet Freight Class Planning at a Glance
Review the measurement and packaging details that can change loaded pallet dimensions, density, and the estimated freight class shown by the calculator.
Pallet Freight Class Calculator
See how loaded pallet dimensions and weight feed into cube, density, shipment totals, and the estimated freight class result.
Measure the full loaded pallet
Use the widest, longest, and tallest outside points after wrapping, strapping, caps, projections, and overhang.
Avoid dimension errors
Missing pallet height, packaging, projections, or overhang can change cube, density, and the estimated class band.
Packaging changes density
The same freight can occupy more or less space after packaging, which changes pounds per cubic foot and the resulting density-based estimate.
Related Tool
Calculate Non-Palletized Freight
Use the main calculator for crates, cartons, loose pieces, and mixed packaged freight.
Density Estimate, Not NMFC Lookup
Results are density-based estimates for shipment planning. Final classification may also depend on commodity, NMFC provisions, packaging, value, liability, handling, stowability, and carrier rules.
