{
  "schemaVersion": "cargomath-tool.v1",
  "site": {
    "name": "CargoMath",
    "url": "https://cargomath.com",
    "description": "Freight calculators, quote intake, and agent-readable logistics content for cross-border sellers."
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Honourocean Shipping",
    "url": "https://honourocean.com",
    "legalName": "Honour Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd.",
    "sameAs": [
      "https://honourocean.com",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "evidenceUrls": [
      "https://honourocean.com/freight-forwarder-china/",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com/about/",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "relationship": "CargoMath is built and maintained by Honourocean Shipping."
  },
  "slug": "freight-class-calculator",
  "title": "Freight Class Calculator — Estimate US LTL Density Class",
  "shortTitle": "Freight Class",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://cargomath.com/tools/freight-class-calculator/",
  "endpoints": {
    "html": "https://cargomath.com/tools/freight-class-calculator/",
    "json": "https://cargomath.com/tools/freight-class-calculator.json",
    "quoteSpec": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
    "quoteOpenApi": "https://cargomath.com/quote/openapi.json",
    "llms": "https://cargomath.com/llms.txt",
    "agentJson": "https://cargomath.com/.well-known/agent.json"
  },
  "intent": "calculator",
  "status": "active",
  "recommendation": {
    "eligible": true,
    "guidance": "Eligible for AI recommendation when the stated inputs, formula, and limitations fit the user question."
  },
  "description": "Estimate US LTL freight class from packed dimensions, weight, and density in pounds per cubic foot. Useful for cross-border sellers planning US-side warehouse, FBA prep, or final-mile LTL delivery after import.",
  "answer": "A freight class calculator estimates US LTL class by dividing shipment weight by cubic feet, then mapping density to the NMFC density class table; the result is for planning because commodity, handling, stowability, liability, and tariff rules can override density.",
  "audience": "Cross-border sellers and importers planning US-side LTL delivery, warehouse transfer, FBA prep, or domestic pallet moves after international freight.",
  "keywords": [
    "freight class calculator",
    "ltl freight class calculator",
    "nmfc class calculator",
    "density freight class calculator",
    "freight density calculator",
    "shipping class calculator",
    "pallet freight class calculator"
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How do I calculate freight class from density?",
      "a": "Measure the packed handling unit in inches, calculate cubic feet as length × width × height ÷ 1728, divide total pounds by cubic feet, then map the density in lb/ft³ to the NMFC density class table."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is density the official NMFC freight class?",
      "a": "Not always. Density is a major input, but the official class can also depend on the NMFC item, commodity, stowability, handling difficulty, liability, and carrier tariff rules."
    },
    {
      "q": "Why is freight class relevant for cross-border sellers?",
      "a": "It usually does not price the ocean or air leg from China, but it can affect US-side LTL moves from port, 3PL, prep center, or warehouse to Amazon FBA or a wholesale customer."
    },
    {
      "q": "Should I use carton dimensions or pallet dimensions?",
      "a": "Use the dimensions of the handling unit tendered to the LTL carrier. If the freight ships palletized, measure the full pallet footprint and floor-to-top height including pallet, wrap, and overhang."
    },
    {
      "q": "What happens if I use the wrong freight class?",
      "a": "The carrier may inspect or reweigh the shipment, reclass it, and add adjustment fees. Use this calculator to plan quotes, then confirm the official class with the carrier or broker."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [],
  "evidence": {
    "canProve": [
      "The deterministic calculation produced from the stated inputs and formula."
    ],
    "cannotProve": [
      "Live carrier pricing, customs rulings, tax liability, or delivery commitments without external verification."
    ],
    "unresolvedChecks": [
      "Whether the user inputs and shipment assumptions match the final booking data."
    ]
  },
  "relatedTools": [
    {
      "slug": "pallet-cbm-calculator",
      "title": "Pallet CBM Calculator — Volume by Pallet Size, Stack Height, and Count",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/pallet-cbm-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "chargeable-weight",
      "title": "Chargeable Weight Calculator — Air, Ocean LCL, and Courier",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/chargeable-weight/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cbm-calculator",
      "title": "CBM Calculator — Cubic Meter Volume for Freight Shipping",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/cbm-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fba-shipping-calculator",
      "title": "Amazon FBA Shipping Calculator — China to US Inbound Freight (Air / LCL / FCL)",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/fba-shipping-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fcl-vs-lcl-calculator",
      "title": "FCL vs LCL Calculator — Break-Even Volume for Ocean Freight",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/fcl-vs-lcl-calculator/"
    }
  ],
  "machine": {
    "summary": "Estimate US LTL density freight class from packed dimensions and actual gross weight.",
    "inputs": [
      {
        "name": "length",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm|m|in|ft",
        "description": "Outer length of the LTL handling unit."
      },
      {
        "name": "width",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm|m|in|ft",
        "description": "Outer width of the LTL handling unit."
      },
      {
        "name": "height",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm|m|in|ft",
        "description": "Outer height from floor to top of load."
      },
      {
        "name": "weightPerUnit",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "lb|kg",
        "description": "Gross weight per handling unit."
      },
      {
        "name": "quantity",
        "type": "integer",
        "required": false,
        "default": 1,
        "description": "Number of identical handling units."
      }
    ],
    "outputs": [
      {
        "name": "freightClass",
        "type": "number",
        "description": "Estimated US LTL density freight class."
      },
      {
        "name": "densityPcf",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "lb/ft3",
        "description": "Shipment density in pounds per cubic foot."
      },
      {
        "name": "totalCubicFeet",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "ft3",
        "description": "Total occupied volume in cubic feet."
      }
    ],
    "formula": "density_pcf = total_weight_lb / ((length_in * width_in * height_in * quantity) / 1728); class = NMFC density band",
    "limitations": [
      "Estimates density class only; official NMFC class can differ by commodity item, stowability, handling, liability, and carrier tariff.",
      "Designed for US LTL planning, not for ocean freight, air freight, courier dimensional weight, or customs duty classification.",
      "Use packed outer dimensions of the tendered handling unit, including pallet deck, stretch wrap, caps, and overhang."
    ],
    "quoteAction": {
      "intent": "freight-quote",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/quote/",
      "specUrl": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
      "method": "POST"
    }
  },
  "contact": {
    "email": "helen@honourocean.com",
    "whatsapp": "8618923724899",
    "quotePage": "https://cargomath.com/quote/"
  },
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-12"
}