Freight Class Density Calculator by FreightRun:
When it comes to LTL shipping, understanding the concept of freight density is crucial for accurate pricing and classification. Freight density is a critical factor that helps determine your shipment's freight class, which in turn affects the shipping cost. In this article, we will break down the definition of freight density while explaining how to calculate the number of cubic inches in your shipment. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll fully understand how the number of total cubic inches impacts the final cost of LTL shipping.
We will explain the definition of freight density is, how to calculate it, and how it impacts LTL shipping.
What is Freight Density?
Freight density is the measure of how much space a shipment occupies in relation to its weight. In other words, it is the amount of space that the shipment takes up in a truck or container, compared to its weight.
The higher the density of a shipment, the more expensive it is to ship because it takes up more space in the truck or container than a shipment with a lower density.
Therefore, freight density is the weight of the shipment per cubic foot. Freight density is one of the factors that determine the freight class of your shipment, which is then used to calculate your shipping costs. Essentially, the higher the freight density, the higher the freight class and the more expensive your shipping costs will be.
How to Calculate Freight Density
Calculating freight density is a straightforward process that involves measuring the shipment's volume and weight. To calculate freight density, follow these steps:
- Measure the length, width, and height of the shipment in inches
- Multiply the length, width, and height together to get the shipment's cubic feet
- Weigh the shipment in pounds
- Divide the shipment's weight by its cubic feet to get the density
For example, if you have a shipment that weighs 500 pounds and measures 6 feet in length, 3 feet in width, and 2 feet in height, the calculation would be:
To calculate the freight density of your shipment, you need to know the total weight and total volume of the shipment.
Freight Class Reference Chart
Once you have calculated the freight density, you can use the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) to determine the freight class of your shipment. The NMFC assigns a freight class to each type of commodity based on its density, value, stowability, and handling characteristics.
Here is a reference chart for some various freight classes and their density ranges:
| Freight Class | Density (Pounds per Cubic Foot) |
|---|---|
| 50 | 50 or less |
| 55 | 50.1 to 55 |
| 60 | 55.1 to 60 |
| 65 | 60.1 to 65 |
| 70 | 65.1 to 70 |
| 77.5 | 70.1 to 77.5 |
Determining Freight Class Based on Freight Density
Determining the freight class based on freight density is a crucial step in the shipping process. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has created a classification system based on four factors: density, stowability, handling, and liability.
Density plays a significant role in determining the freight class as it helps to determine how much space the shipment will occupy in a carrier's truck. The higher the density of the shipment, the higher the freight class and cost. To determine the freight class based on density, you can use a freight density calculator or refer to a density calculator for the freight class.
By accurately calculating the freight density and corresponding freight class, you can ensure that your shipment is properly classified and priced, avoiding any surprises or delays during transit.
Cubic Feet Calculator
In addition to a freight class density calculator, you can also use a cubic density calculator to calculate the volume of your shipment. This is important because the total volume of your shipment is used to calculate its freight density. FreightRun's cubic density calculator is a great tool to use for this purpose.
LTL Linear Feet Calculator
In shipping, a linear foot is a unit of measurement that refers to the length of a shipment. It is calculated by measuring the length of each piece of freight and adding them together. For example, if a shipment consists of four pallets that are each 8 feet long, the linear footage would be 32 feet (4 pallets x 8 feet per pallet). Our Linear Feet Calculator can be useful in determining the total cost of shipping a particular item or load. It can help shippers to estimate the amount of space they will need to transport their goods, which in turn can help them to determine the most cost-effective shipping method for their needs.
In conclusion, calculating freight density is an important step in determining the cost of your shipment. By using a freight density calculator and a freight class reference chart, you can accurately determine the freight class of your shipment and ensure that you are not overpaying for your shipping costs. Remember to measure your shipments carefully and accurately to get the most accurate results.
