Planning the stack first? Use the pallet calculator for carton layers and counts, and the pallet dimensions reference for footprint information. Then measure the actual finished handling unit below.
1. Measure the finished handling unit
Use the outermost length, width, and height. Include the pallet itself, protective packaging, and any overhang. A box sitting on a pallet is not just the box: the pallet adds height and weight to the handling unit.
- Length × width
- Outside edges
- Height
- Floor to top
Include the pallet, packaging, and overhang. Use the packaged weight, too.
Use consistent units. The calculator accepts inches or centimeters and converts them before calculating volume. Keep the actual measurements rather than rounding them down to a convenient whole number. Follow your carrier’s requirements for recorded measurements.
2. Weigh it with the packaging
Enter the weight of one complete piece in each group, including the pallet and packaging. If you have four identical pieces, enter the weight of one and set quantity to four. Entering the combined weight and a quantity of four would count that weight four times.
When pieces differ in size or weight, use separate groups. This makes the inputs traceable and gives you an individual density estimate for each group.
Measure one complete unit before entering quantity
- Length
- 48 in
- Width
- 40 in
- Height
- 48 in
Enter 500 lb per piece; quantity multiplies weight and volume together. 53.333 ft³, 500 lb gross, 9.375 lb/ft³; density-scale class 100.
3. Convert the volume to cubic feet
= 53.333… ft³ per piece
For two identical pieces, total volume is 106.666… ft³. The division by 1,728 comes from 12 × 12 × 12 cubic inches per cubic foot.
4. Divide total weight by total volume
If each example pallet weighs 500 lb, the two pallets weigh 1,000 lb. Their density is:
= 9.375 lb/ft³
Two identical pallets have the same density as one. Quantity changes total volume and total weight in the same proportion.
5. Match the applicable density band
On the 13-tier scale, 9.375 is at least 8 and below 10, giving class 100. The next denser band starts at 10 lb/ft³ and maps to class 92.5. Use the unrounded value for this step.
Try these inputs in the calculator or use the full class chart for a manual lookup.
6. Confirm the actual classification
Before shipping, check the applicable commodity provision and packaging requirements with your carrier or ClassIT+. A density result does not confirm the item number, an exception, or the class your carrier will apply.
A useful record to keep
Record the finished dimensions, packaged weight, quantity, date measured, and the classification confirmed by the carrier. Photographs can help you retrace which handling unit you measured. This site does not store shipment records.
The three-inch height difference
At unchanged weight and footprint, 45 inches reaches exactly 10 lb/ft³. This comparison does not recommend removing protection.
A second example: height changes density
Keep the weight at 500 lb and the footprint at 48 × 40 inches, but change height from 48 to 45 inches. Volume becomes 50 ft³ and density becomes exactly 10 lb/ft³: class 92.5 on this scale.
That example illustrates the boundary, not a recommendation to weaken packaging. A smaller package is only suitable when it still protects the goods and meets the applicable requirements.
Looking up an item? Follow the NMFC lookup guide. For a parcel, the dimensional-weight calculator compares the weight measures under your selected rules.
Sources & scope
Reviewed October 25, 2026. Density scale effective July 19, 2025.
Lookup guidance checked October 25, 2026: NMFTA identifies ClassIT+ as its official source; XPO’s NMFC guidance distinguishes the item, class, density and shipment details.