Packaging & Logistics worked example

Freight Class Density at 72% density adjustment factor: a worked example

Suppose density adjustment factor falls to 72%. This page works the full calculation at that level so you can see exactly which result moves and by how much. Calculate shipment density in pounds per cubic foot to estimate NMFC freight class for LTL shipments.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Shipment weight: 500 lb (held at the documented default)
  • Shipment volume: 60 ft³ (held at the documented default)
  • Density adjustment factor: 72 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 100)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Freight density = shipment weight ÷ shipment volume.
  • Freight density works out to 6 lb / ft³ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Density before adjustment works out to 8.33 lb / ft³ at these inputs.
  • Adjusted shipment weight works out to 360 lb at these inputs.
  • Shipment volume works out to 60 ft³ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where density adjustment factor sits at 100% and the headline result is 8.33 lb / ft³, this scenario comes in 28% below the baseline at 6 lb / ft³.
  • It computes shipment density in pounds per cubic foot and applies an optional adjustment factor to that density. When the numbers land here, the stressed input is the lever to work; the walkthrough above shows exactly how much each output recovers as it climbs back toward the baseline.

Results at a glance

  • Freight density: 6 lb / ft³ (headline result)
  • Density before adjustment: 8.33 lb / ft³
  • Adjusted shipment weight: 360 lb
  • Shipment volume: 60 ft³

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Freight Class Density calculator, set density adjustment factor to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.