Cubic Feet Calculator & Density Calculator for Shipping

Accurate freight calculations start with measuring your shipment correctly. Our cubic feet calculator and density tools help you determine exact volumes for shipping quotes. These measurements prevent costly errors and surprise charges from carriers.

Non-Palletized Freight Density Calculator

Non-Palletized Freight Density Calculator

Our cu ft calculator measures non-palletized shipments quickly. You measure the length width and height of your freight in inches. Multiply these dimensions to get the number of cubic inches for your shipment.

Calculate volume length, width, and height to find total cubic inches. Divide this number by 1,728 to convert to cubic feet. The calculator then divides weight by volume in cubic feet to determine density.

How to Measure Non-Palletized Freight

Example: Your shipment measures 24 inches wide, 25 inches long, and 23 inches high. It weighs 90 pounds total. Multiply dimensions to find the volume: 24 × 25 × 23 = 13,800 cubic inches.

Convert the number of cubic inches into cubic feet by dividing by 1,728. So 13,800 ÷ 1,728 = 7.99 cubic feet. Divide weight by cubic feet to calculate density: 90 ÷ 7.99 = 11.27 pounds per cubic foot.

This density determines your freight class. Carriers use PCF to price your shipment accurately.

Palletized Freight Density Calculator

Palletized Freight Density Calculator

The palletized freight calculator combines pallet and shipment dimensions. You measure both components when calculating the volume of palletized cargo. This cuft calculator gives you the total space your freight occupies.

Standard pallets measure 48" × 40" × 6" and weigh approximately 30 pounds. Include both pallet and cargo when you find the volume. This ensures carriers charge you correctly from the start.

How to Measure Palletized Freight

Example: Your pallet measures 46 inches long, 42 inches wide, and 6 inches high. Your shipment adds 23 inches of height. The pallet weighs 30 pounds and your freight weighs 90 pounds.

Add pallet height to freight height for total dimensions: 6 + 23 = 29 inches total. Calculate the number of cubic inches: 46 × 42 × 29 = 56,028 cubic inches total.

Our volume calculator converts this measurement: 56,028 ÷ 1,728 = 32.42 cubic feet. Add weights together: 30 + 90 = 120 pounds total. Divide total weight by volume in cubic feet: 120 ÷ 32.42 = 3.70 PCF.

Total Cubic Footage and Pounds Per Cubic Foot (PCF)

Figure Out Your Total Cubic Footage Calculator

Multiple pieces require combined calculations. Our cubic foot calculator adds each piece's volume together. This gives you the total number of cubic feet for the entire shipment.

Carriers need this total to allocate truck space properly. The combined measurement also determines your overall freight class. Use the PCF chart below to convert density into freight class.

PCF / Freight Class:

This chart converts your calculated PCF into freight class numbers. Lower density shipments have higher class numbers and cost more. Denser shipments have lower class numbers and ship cheaper.

• Less than 1 PCF = Class 500

• 1 but less than 2 = Class 400

• 2 but less than 3 = Class 300

• 4 but less than 5 = Class 200

• 8 but less than 9 = Class 110

• 15 but less than 22.5 = Class 70

• More than 50 = Class 50

Match your density to find your freight class. This classification directly impacts your shipping costs. Accurate measurements prevent reclassification fees later.

Understanding Volume Measurements

Different industries use various volume units. Some international carriers measure in cubic meters instead of cubic feet. One cubic meter equals approximately 35.3 cubic feet.

Landscape and construction materials often use cubic yards. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Understanding the volume of a cube helps with simple calculations. A cube with 12-inch sides contains exactly one cubic foot.

Converting cubic feet to pounds depends on your material's density. Water weighs 62.4 pounds per cubic foot. Concrete weighs approximately 150 pounds per cubic foot. Your specific cargo determines the cu ft to lbs conversion rate.

Why Accurate Cubic Feet Calculations Matter

LTL carriers require precise measurements for quotes. Small errors can shift your freight class significantly. A one-class difference can add hundreds of dollars to costs.

Our cubic feet calculator eliminates guesswork and manual math errors. You get reliable numbers for freight quotes immediately. Carriers trust accurate measurements and process shipments faster.

Common Measurement Mistakes to Avoid

Never measure just the product without packaging. Include all boxes, wrapping, and protective materials. Carriers charge for the total space occupied in their trucks.

Always round measurements up, never down. Use inches for domestic shipments consistently. Measure at the widest points, even for irregular shapes. These practices ensure your cu ft calculations match carrier measurements.