Dense metal coils
Compact pallet of cartoned wire coils
48 × 40 × 30 in
Packaged weight: 2200 lb
- Cubic feet
- 33.33
- Density
- 66.00 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
50
Wire LTL Shipping Guide
Freight Class for Wire
To estimate your shipment, use the Wire Freight Class Calculator.
The Wire Freight Class Examples use the current 13-tier density scale, effective July 19, 2025, and range from Class 50 to 85.
These are density-based estimates.
Wire density calculator
Calculate Your Wire Freight Class
A wire shipment is preloaded as an example. Adjust the packaged dimensions or weight to calculate your wire freight class.
Your result
Cubic feet
46.67
Density
38.57
lb/cu ft
Estimated freight class
55
This is an example density-based estimate. Update any field to calculate your shipment.
Wire shipment examples
Wire 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 wire shipments.
Palletized reels
Cradled medium wire reels
48 × 40 × 42 in
Packaged weight: 1800 lb
- Cubic feet
- 46.67
- Density
- 38.57 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
55
Large lightweight spools
Large plastic spools with higher cube
60 × 48 × 54 in
Packaged weight: 1200 lb
- Cubic feet
- 90.00
- Density
- 13.33 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
85
Wire shipment comparison
Wire Freight Class by Shipment Type
Wire shipments vary from dense compact coils to large reels that consume substantial cube. Class depends on conductor material, reel diameter, coil packaging, pallet footprint, rolling control, and top-load restrictions.
| Wire shipment | Typical packaging | Density tendency | Stackability | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small coils in cartons | Dense palletized cartons | Very high | Usually stackable | Prevent coil shift and carton burst. |
| Wooden or plastic reels | Cradled on pallet | High | Limited | Block flanges against rolling. |
| Large industrial reels | Heavy-duty skid or frame | Medium | Non-stackable | Confirm forklift and axle handling. |
| Loose bundles or long wire products | Banded supports | Medium | Limited | Protect ends and prevent sagging. |
wire shipping options
Choosing a Shipping Method for Wire
The right service depends on wire size, packaging, stackability, and handling needs.
| Wire shipment | Common shipping option |
|---|---|
| Cartoned coils | Standard LTL |
| Palletized reels | Limited-stack LTL |
| Large industrial reels | Specialized LTL |
| Oversized or very heavy reels | Dedicated service |
Large, irregular, non-stackable, unusually valuable, or specially handled wire shipments may need carrier review before booking.
Wire Packaging, Stackability, and Damage Risk
Wire Packaging
- Use reinforced cartons for coils and cradles, chocks, or reel stands for spools and reels.
- Band through approved reel or pallet points, protect flanges, and keep wire ends capped or secured.
- Separate conductor types, gauges, colors, lots, and cut lengths with visible labels and piece counts.
Wire Stackability
- Cartoned coils may stack when cartons and pallet deck are compression-rated.
- Reels may accept top load only through an engineered rack or frame, never through reel flanges alone.
- Treat large reels, exposed spools, mixed-diameter loads, and open cradles as non-stackable.
Wire Reel, Coil, Insulation, and Rolling Protection
- Prevent reel rolling, flange breakage, crushed coils, insulation cuts, kinked wire, loose ends, and carton burst.
- Protect conductor markings, gauge labels, lot numbers, spool IDs, cut-length tags, and moisture barriers.
- Document conductor material, gauge, reel count, dimensions, total length, declared value, and center of gravity.
Before Requesting a Wire Freight Quote
How to Measure a Packaged Wire Shipment
- Measure after cartons, reels, cradles, chocks, frames, bands, and wrap are installed.
- Include reel flanges, axle projections, cradle width, frame height, and pallet overhang.
- Use total packaged weight of wire, reels, cartons, pallets, cradles, and securement.
Wire Freight Quote Checklist
- Measure the finished coil-carton pallet, cradled reel load, industrial reel skid, or bundled wire shipment.
- Record total packaged weight, conductor material, gauge, reel or coil count, total length, lot number, and declared value.
- State whether cartons are stack-rated or reels require limited-stack/non-stackable handling because of flanges, open cradles, axle projections, or mixed diameters.
- Include photos of reel flanges, chocks, wire ends, insulation condition, labels, bands, and pallet securement.
- Confirm reel-handling equipment, forklift capacity, liftgate, appointment, limited-stack, and oversize requirements.
Freight Planning Calculators
Calculate and Plan Your Wire 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.