Density and Pounds Per Cubic Feet (PCF) Calculators

Non-Palletized Freight Density Calculator

To determine the cubic dimensions of a non-palletized shipment, measure the shipment's height, width and length. Multiply those dimensions to obtain the cubic dimensions of the shipment in inches. Then divide by 1,728 to convert cubic inches into cubic feet and divide the weight by cubic feet to calculate freight density in pounds per cubic foot.

How to Measure Non-Palletized Freight

Example: If the width of your shipment is 24 inches, length is 25 inches and height is 23 inches and weight is 90 pounds.

1. Length x Width x Height = # of cubic inches.  24 x 25 x 23= 13,800 cubic inches
2. Convert cubic inches into cubic feet by dividing the total by 1,728. So 13,800/1,728 = 7.986 cubic feet
3. Divide the weight of the shipment by the number of cubic feet to calculate the density. 90/7.986 = 11.27 pounds per cubic foot.

Palletized Freight Density Calculator

To determine the cubic dimensions of a palletized shipment, combine the pallet dimensions with the shipment dimensions.

How to Measure Palletized Freight

Example: If the pallet is 46 inches long, 42 inches wide and 6 inches high and your shipment is 23 inches high. The pallet weighs 30 pounds and your shipment weighs 90 pounds.

1. Add the pallet height to the freight height to calculate total height. 6 + 23 = 29 inches
2. Length x Width x Total Height = # of cubic inches.  46 x 42 x 29 = 56,028 cubic inches
3. Convert cubic inches into cubic feet by dividing the total by 1,728. So 56,028/1,728 = 32.42 cubic feet
4. Add the weight of the pallet to the weight of your shipment to calculate total weight. 30 + 90 = 120 pounds
5. Divide the total weight by the number of cubic feet to calculate the density. 120/32.42 = 3.70 pounds per cubic foot.

Total Cubic Footage and Pounds Per Cubic Foot (PCF)

To calculate total cubic footage combine the number of pieces with the cubic feet of each shipment. That will get you Total Cubic Feet and Pounds Per Cubic Foot (PCF). Once you have PCF, use the table below to convert that to the freight class.

PCF / Freight Class:

• Less than 1: 500
• 1 but less than 2 : 400
• 2 but less than 3: 300
• 3 but less than 4: 250
• 4 but less than 5: 200
• 5 but less than 6: 175
• 6 but less than 7: 150
• 7 but less than 8: 125
• 8 but less than 9: 110
• 9 but less than 10.5: 100
• 10.5 but less than 12: 92.5
• 12 but less than 13.5: 85
• 13.5 but less than 15: 77.5
• 15 but less than 22.5: 70
• 22.5 but less than 30: 65
• 30 but less than 35: 60
• 35 but less than 50: 55
• More than 50: 50

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