NMFC Code Lookup Guide and Freight Class Chart
The Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) industry utilizes National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) codes to standardize, evaluate, and price commercial cargo. Identifying the correct parameters before booking is critical; an incorrect selection can trigger expensive carrier reclassification penalties that erode your shipping margins.
This guide explains how an NMFC code lookup works, where to find the item number for your product, and how to match your shipment density to the right freight class using the chart below. If you are moving non-palletized or high-volume freight, you can also estimate trailer space with our linear feet calculator.
How Do I Find My NMFC Code?
To complete an accurate NMFC code lookup for your freight, follow these three steps:
- Define the Specific Commodity: Write down exactly what you are shipping. Avoid generic descriptions and use the exact product name (e.g., "insulated copper wiring" instead of "metals"). The item number itself comes from the NMFTA's official ClassIT database (subscription required), from your product's manufacturer, or from a FreightRun freight specialist, who can look it up for you.
- Calculate Accurate Volumetric Density: Gather the exact physical packaging dimensions of your cargo, including the height, width, length, and total freight weight in pounds. Then enter those numbers into our density calculator and cubic feet calculator to determine your pounds per cubic foot (PCF).
- Map the Corresponding Freight Class: Match your calculated PCF density against the 18 freight classes in the chart below. If the commodity is density-dependent (a "variable-rate item"), your class changes dynamically based on how tightly packed the skid is. For example, a shipment tightly packed to fit NMFC code lookup class 65 will take up less space and carry a lower rate than loose cargo.
Compliance Note: The chart on this page is a density-based guide, not the official NMFC database. Some commodities have a fixed class regardless of density, and carriers measure and weigh freight at their terminals. To avoid reclassification charges, confirm your item number and class with the NMFTA, your carrier, or a FreightRun freight specialist before you ship.
What Does an NMFC Code Mean?
An NMFC code is a standardized item number assigned to specific commercial products to establish a universal baseline for freight pricing across all US freight carriers. Managed by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) in Alexandria, Virginia, these codes ensure that all freight trucking companies evaluate and price identical commodities using a standard regulatory scale.
The NMFTA updates the NMFC regularly to account for changes in products, packaging, and handling rules, so a code that was correct a few years ago may no longer apply.
The Four Pillars of NMFC Assignment (S.L.E.D.)
Every item in the NMFC is classified on four transportability characteristics:
- Stowability: How easily can the cargo be stacked or stored alongside other shipments inside a standard dry van? Hazardous, explosive, or abnormally shaped cargo carries specialized handling rules that raise its classification.
- Liability: What is the item's total financial value and susceptibility to theft, breakage, or temperature damage? High-value or fragile items carry increased liability risks for domestic freight companies, driving up the class assignment.
- Ease of Handling: Does the pallet require unique loading equipment, heavy-duty marine cranes, or specific dockside care due to extreme weight or irregular dimensions? Items requiring manual handling are placed into a higher tariff class.
- Density: The structural ratio of an item's freight weight relative to the total cubic space it occupies. High-density cargo (like solid steel rods) features a low freight class, while low-density cargo (like hollow plastic assemblies) features a high freight class.
NMFC Freight Class Chart by Density
The domestic shipping network organizes all manufactured items into 18 distinct freight classes, scaling from Class 50 (most dense and economical) up to Class 500 (lowest density and highest cost).
|
Freight Class |
Density Requirements (per Cubic Foot) |
Typical Commodity Examples |
Relative Shipping Cost |
|
50 |
Over 50 lbs. |
Steel rods, nuts, bolts, heavy industrial castings |
Lowest Cost |
|
55 |
35 to 50 lbs. |
Bricks, cement blocks, bulk building aggregates |
Very Low |
|
60 |
30 to 35 lbs. |
Ceramic tiles, auto parts, heavy iron car assemblies |
Low |
|
65 |
22.5 to 30 lbs. |
Packaged books, printing paper, dense plastic sheets |
Economical |
|
70 |
15 to 22.5 lbs. |
Boxed machinery, dry food goods, unassembled furniture |
Standard |
|
77.5 |
13.5 to 15 lbs. |
Major home appliances, tires, packaged hand tools |
Moderate |
|
85 |
12 to 13.5 lbs. |
Cast iron cookware, bottled liquids, leather goods |
Medium |
|
92.5 |
10.5 to 12 lbs. |
Computers, retail electronics, heavy equipment parts |
Medium-High |
|
100 |
9 to 10.5 lbs. |
Wine bottles, assembled wooden furniture, canvas art |
High |
|
110 |
8 to 9 lbs. |
Framed mirrors, plastic kayaks, boxed mechanical components |
High |
|
125 |
7 to 8 lbs. |
Small home appliances, lighting fixtures, and exhaust pipes |
Very High |
|
150 |
6 to 7 lbs. |
Assembled bicycles, luggage, and commercial catering tools |
Intensive |
|
175 |
5 to 6 lbs. |
Couch assemblies, upholstered items, large monitors |
Intensive |
|
200 |
4 to 5 lbs. |
Boxed clothing, mattresses, plastic auto body panels |
Premium |
|
250 |
3 to 4 lbs. |
Bamboo decorations, lightweight electronics, foam insulation |
Premium |
|
300 |
2 to 3 lbs. |
Model airplanes, empty plastic bottles, display models |
Extreme |
|
400 |
1 to 2 lbs. |
Light deer antlers, large pre-assembled retail displays |
Extreme |
|
500 |
Less than 1 lb. |
Ping pong balls, loose down feathers, gold leaf foil |
Highest Cost |
NMFC Code Lookup Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core meaning of NMFC class 70?
An NMFC class 70 designation represents standard, durable commercial cargo with a density profile of 15 to 22.5 pounds per cubic foot. Typical class 70 items include bulk boxed dry goods, automotive accessories, and commercial machinery parts. It serves as a balanced baseline index score across most shipping companies' USA tariff grids.
How do you accurately determine freight class and NMFC?
First, check whether your product has a fixed class by running an NMFC code lookup in the NMFTA's ClassIT database, or by asking your manufacturer or freight broker. If it is a density-based item, measure the length, width, and height of the fully palletized skid (including wrapping and crating), calculate the total cubic feet, and divide the total weight by that number to get your exact density class.
Why does my shipment require a specific NMFC item number instead of just a freight class?
While freight class indicates your load's density grouping, the specific NMFC item number identifies the exact type of commodity being transported. This detailed code informs large freight shipping companies about potential chemical hazards, specific stackability rules, and liability levels, helping protect your load from improper handling.
Can I use a FedEx NMFC code lookup for other carriers?
The baseline product item numbers and core definitions in a FedEx NMFC code lookup system align with the universal standards set by the NMFTA. However, individual companies that ship freight may use unique internal rules or lane-specific tariff exemptions, so cross-referencing rates on an open multi-carrier marketplace like FreightRun helps protect your options.
Secure Verified Capacity and Eliminate Reclass Costs with FreightRun
Don’t let unexpected carrier audit adjustments and reclassification fees drain your supply chain budget. FreightRun lets you choose your freight class on the quote form and compare live LTL rates from 50+ carriers in one place. If you are unsure of your class or NMFC code, our freight specialists can help you confirm it before you book.
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