Dense steel plate
Compact plate stack on a heavy skid
48 × 40 × 12 in
Packaged weight: 3500 lb
- Cubic feet
- 13.33
- Density
- 262.50 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
50
Steel LTL Shipping Guide
Freight Class for Steel
To estimate your shipment, use the Steel Freight Class Calculator.
The Steel Freight Class Examples use the current 13-tier density scale, effective July 19, 2025, and range from Class 50 to 70.
These are density-based estimates.
Steel density calculator
Calculate Your Steel Freight Class
A palletized steel shipment is preloaded as an example. Adjust the packaged dimensions or weight to calculate your steel freight class.
Your result
Cubic feet
26.67
Density
112.50
lb/cu ft
Estimated freight class
50
This is an example density-based estimate. Update any field to calculate your shipment.
Steel shipment examples
Steel Freight Class Examples
These examples use packaged outside dimensions and the site’s density-to-class chart. They are examples only, not fixed classes for all steel shipments.
Bundled tubing
Cradled tubing bundle with more cube
48 × 40 × 24 in
Packaged weight: 3000 lb
- Cubic feet
- 26.67
- Density
- 112.50 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
50
Bulky fabrications
Large irregular steel frame on a custom skid
84 × 48 × 54 in
Packaged weight: 2800 lb
- Cubic feet
- 126.00
- Density
- 22.22 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
70
Steel shipment comparison
Steel Freight Class by Shipment Type
Steel is extremely dense, yet freight class and handling depend on whether it ships as compact plate, bars, tubing, coils, beams, or bulky fabricated structures. Concentrated weight, overlength dimensions, sharp edges, rolling hazards, forklift capacity, and securement design drive the shipment profile.
| Steel shipment | Typical packaging | Density tendency | Stackability | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plate and flat bar | Heavy skids or bundles | Very high | Usually stackable | Distribute concentrated weight. |
| Tubing and pipe | Cradled bundles | High | Limited | Block against rolling and protect ends. |
| Coils and strip | Coil cradles or saddles | Very high | Non-stackable | Chock against rolling and telescoping. |
| Fabricated steel | Custom skids or frames | Medium to high | Non-stackable | Support irregular centers of gravity. |
steel shipping options
Choosing a Shipping Method for Steel
The right service depends on steel size, packaging, stackability, and handling needs.
| Steel shipment | Common shipping option |
|---|---|
| Compact steel plate or bars | Standard heavy LTL |
| Tubing or beam bundles | Overlength-capable LTL |
| Steel coils | Specialized metal service |
| Large fabricated structures | Dedicated or flatbed service |
Large, irregular, non-stackable, unusually valuable, or specially handled steel shipments may need carrier review before booking.
Steel Packaging, Stackability, and Damage Risk
Steel Packaging
- Use heavy timber or steel skids, structural runners, cradles, blocking, and rated bands sized for the steel weight.
- Chock round stock and coils against rolling, cap pipe or tube ends, and protect sharp edges from straps and handlers.
- Keep bars, beams, tubing, and fabrications within the skid footprint or clearly mark and protect unavoidable overlength projections.
Steel Stackability
- Flat plate and compact bar bundles may stack when structural skids transfer load directly through runners.
- Tubing and beam bundles require aligned dunnage and verified top-load capacity to avoid crushing or rolling.
- Treat coils, irregular fabrications, tall frames, and loads with offset centers of gravity as non-stackable.
Steel Load Concentration, Rolling, Edge, and Rigging Protection
- Prevent rolling, band failure, bent ends, crushed tubing, damaged threads, sharp-edge exposure, and distortion of fabricated pieces.
- Protect machined faces, coated surfaces, weld preparations, threaded ends, and dimensional tolerances.
- Document steel form, grade, dimensions, piece count, package weight, center of gravity, and approved lifting points.
Before Requesting a Steel Freight Quote
How to Measure a Packaged Steel Shipment
- Measure after all skids, cradles, blocking, bands, edge guards, and protective covers are installed.
- Include overlength projections, coil saddles, beam flanges, crate feet, lifting lugs, and pallet overhang.
- Use the total packaged weight of steel, skid or cradle, dunnage, blocking, and securement.
Steel Freight Quote Checklist
- Measure the finished plate skid, bar bundle, tubing cradle, coil saddle, beam load, or fabricated-steel frame.
- Record the total packaged weight, steel form, grade, dimensions, piece count, and package count.
- State whether the structural package is top-load rated or must remain non-stackable because of coils, round stock, irregular fabrication, or offset center of gravity.
- Include photos of blocking, bands, sharp edges, tube ends, coil saddles, weldments, lifting points, and skid securement.
- Confirm forklift capacity, crane or rigging needs, overlength handling, appointment, limited-stack, and specialized-equipment requirements.
Freight Planning Calculators
Calculate and Plan Your Steel Shipment
Use the freight class, density, pallet, and linear-feet calculators to plan your packaged LTL shipment.
Freight Class Calculator
Estimate freight class from packaged dimensions, weight, and density.
Freight Density Calculator
Calculate cubic feet and pounds per cubic foot for packaged freight.
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 other commodity-specific factors. 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.