What is Freight Class 100? Density, Examples & Cost

Freight class 100 is a common mid-range class for LTL freight with a density of 9 to 10.5 lbs per cubic foot. Many consumer and industrial goods of moderate bulk fall into class 100.

What density is class 100?

Class 100 corresponds to a density of 9 to 10.5 pounds per cubic foot. For example, a 400 lb shipment occupying 40 cubic feet has a density of 10 lbs/ft³ - class 100. Compute yours with the Freight Class Calculator.

Examples of class 100 freight

Canvas, boat covers, and tarps
Cases of wine and packaged beverages of moderate bulk
Caskets and crated goods of average density
Assorted consumer products that are neither very dense nor very bulky

How class 100 affects cost

Class 100 sits in the middle of the rating scale, so its cost is moderate - higher than dense classes like 70 but lower than bulky classes like 175 or 250. It is often the "default" class people assume when they are unsure, which is exactly why it is worth verifying: guessing class 100 when the real class is 150 leads to an underbilled shipment and a later adjustment.

Shipments near the class 92.5 / class 100 / class 110 boundaries are sensitive to small density changes. A 400 lb shipment in 40 ft³ rates class 100 (10 lbs/ft³); the same weight in 44 ft³ drops to ~9.1 and stays class 100, but at 48 ft³ it falls to ~8.3 and moves to class 110. Confirm with the NMFC Lookup or automate it via the NMFC API.

Class 100 vs. class 92.5 and class 110

Class 100's neighbors are class 92.5 (10.5-12 lbs/ft³) and class 110 (8-9 lbs/ft³):

Class 92.5 - denser (appliances, computers); a step cheaper.
Class 100 - canvas, wine cases, caskets; the mid-range default.
Class 110 - slightly bulkier (cabinets, framed art); a step more expensive.

Because these three classes are separated by narrow density bands, an inch of extra packaging or a lighter-than-expected load can move a shipment between them. See Freight Class Explained for the complete chart.

Avoiding class 100 reclassification

Class 100 is one of the most reclassified categories precisely because it is over-assumed. To avoid a carrier adjustment:

Measure the fully packaged unit, including the pallet and any overhang.
Weigh the complete shipment as tendered, not the product alone.
Look up the commodity's actual NMFC provision rather than defaulting to 100.

The procedure in How to Determine Freight Class walks through each step.

Frequently asked questions

What density is freight class 100?

Class 100 covers freight with a density of 9 to 10.5 pounds per cubic foot.

What products ship as class 100?

Examples include canvas and boat covers, cases of wine, caskets, and moderate-density consumer goods.

Why is class 100 so commonly reclassified?

It is often assumed as a default when shippers are unsure. If the true class is higher, the carrier reclassifies after inspection and bills the difference.

Look it up or automate it

Search NMFC codes free, or integrate classification into your TMS via the API.

NMFC Lookup API Docs