Dense hardwood blocks
Compact banded hardwood bundle
48 × 40 × 30 in
Packaged weight: 2200 lb
- Cubic feet
- 33.33
- Density
- 66.00 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
50
50
Wood LTL Shipping Guide
Freight Class for Wood
To estimate your shipment, use the Wood Freight Class Calculator.
The Wood Freight Class Examples use the current 13-tier density scale, effective July 19, 2025, and range from Class 50 to 125.
These are density-based estimates.
Wood density calculator
Calculate Your Wood Freight Class
A wood shipment is preloaded as an example. Adjust the packaged dimensions or weight to calculate your wood freight class.
Your result
Cubic feet
96.00
Density
18.75
lb/cu ft
Estimated freight class
70
This is an example density-based estimate. Update any field to calculate your shipment.
Wood shipment examples
Wood 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 wood shipments.
Bundled boards
Long supported bundle of dimensional wood
96 × 48 × 36 in
Packaged weight: 1800 lb
- Cubic feet
- 96.00
- Density
- 18.75 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
70
70
Large lightweight wood products
Bulky fabricated wood components
96 × 48 × 60 in
Packaged weight: 1200 lb
- Cubic feet
- 160.00
- Density
- 7.50 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
125
125
Wood shipment comparison
Wood Freight Class by Shipment Type
Wood freight ranges from dense hardwood blocks to bulky lightweight fabricated pieces. Class depends on species, moisture content, dimensions, bundle density, support spacing, finish, and top-load capability.
| Wood shipment | Typical packaging | Density tendency | Stackability | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood blocks or blanks | Banded dense bundle | Very high | Usually stackable | Use spacers and weight-rated bands. |
| Boards and dimensional stock | Long supported bundle | High | Limited | Prevent sagging and end damage. |
| Panels and sheets | Flat pallet with edge protection | Medium to high | Limited | Protect corners and faces. |
| Finished or fabricated wood | Crate or custom skid | Low to medium | Non-stackable | Protect finish and irregular shapes. |
wood shipping options
Choosing a Shipping Method for Wood
The right service depends on wood size, packaging, stackability, and handling needs.
| Wood shipment | Common shipping option |
|---|---|
| Dense blocks and blanks | Standard LTL |
| Supported board bundles | Volume or limited-stack LTL |
| Panels and sheets | Protected LTL |
| Finished fabricated pieces | Crated or dedicated service |
Large, irregular, non-stackable, unusually valuable, or specially handled wood shipments may need carrier review before booking.
Wood Packaging, Stackability, and Damage Risk
Wood Packaging
- Band boards and blocks to weight-rated bunks or pallets with spacers that prevent strap damage and moisture trapping.
- Use full edge and corner protection for panels, sheets, finished faces, and machined profiles.
- Separate species, grades, lengths, lots, and finished components with visible labels and moisture barriers when needed.
Wood Stackability
- Dense square bundles may stack when bunks align vertically and bands remain secure.
- Long boards and panels require limited-stack handling unless support spacing prevents bowing and point loads.
- Treat finished millwork, irregular fabricated pieces, live-edge slabs, and open crates as non-stackable.
Wood Moisture, Warp, Surface, and Long-Length Protection
- Prevent splits, warping, moisture damage, surface scratches, crushed edges, strap marks, mold, and bundle shift.
- Protect grade stamps, species labels, moisture readings, finished surfaces, machined edges, and customer cut lists.
- Document species, grade, dimensions, moisture condition, piece count, declared value, and support spacing.
Before Requesting a Wood Freight Quote
How to Measure a Packaged Wood Shipment
- Measure after pallets, bunks, spacers, bands, edge protection, crates, and wrap are installed.
- Include bowed boards, overhang, bunk width, crate feet, and protective caps.
- Use total packaged weight of wood, pallets, bunks, crates, spacers, and securement.
Wood Freight Quote Checklist
- Measure the finished hardwood bundle, board pack, panel pallet, or fabricated-wood crate.
- Record total packaged weight, species, grade, dimensions, moisture condition, piece count, and declared value.
- State whether bundles can accept aligned distributed top load or require limited-stack/non-stackable handling because of long spans, panels, finishes, or irregular shapes.
- Include photos of bundle ends, moisture protection, grade labels, finished surfaces, bunks, bands, and pallet overhang.
- Confirm long-length acceptance, forklift spacing, liftgate, appointment, limited-stack, and moisture-protection requirements.
Freight Planning Calculators
Calculate and Plan Your Wood 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.