Free tool
Cubic Feet, Density & Dimensional Weight
Enter your pallets or boxes and get the cubic feet, density and dimensional weight at once. Density drives your LTL freight class. Free, no sign-up, nothing uploaded.
About cubic feet, density & dimensional weight
- How do I calculate cubic feet?
- Multiply length × width × height in inches and divide by 1,728, then multiply by the quantity. Cubic feet is the volume LTL freight is loaded and rated by.
- What is freight density?
- Density is weight divided by cubic feet (lb/ft³). It’s the number LTL carriers rate on, because it sets the NMFC freight class — dense freight gets a lower class and a lower rate.
- What is dimensional weight?
- Dimensional (volumetric) weight is volume ÷ a divisor — 139 for UPS/FedEx, 166 for USPS/older air — so a light but bulky parcel still pays for the space it takes. It applies to parcel and air freight; LTL goes by density, not dim weight.
- Dimensional weight vs density — which do I use?
- Small packages (UPS, FedEx, USPS, air): dimensional weight. Pallets and LTL freight: density → freight class. This tool shows both so you can see which applies to your shipment.
- Is it free?
- Yes. Everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing you type is saved or uploaded.