What class 175 means
Class 175 is step 4 of 13, counting from the most expensive class (400) to the cheapest (50). LTL carriers price freight per hundred pounds, and the class sets the rate: the lower the number, the less each pound costs. Density decides the class for every commodity whose NMFC item follows the density scale, which Dockets 2025-1 and 2026-1 extended to many more items.
Lighter freight for its size, under 4 lb/ft³, is class 250. Denser freight, from 6 lb/ft³, is class 125. The freight class chart shows all 13 bands.
Pallet weights for class 175
The weight a standard 48 × 40 in pallet must have, at each height with the pallet included, to measure as class 175.
| Height (with pallet) | Cube | Weight for class 175 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 in | 26.7 ft³ | 106.7 to under 160 lb |
| 36 in | 40 ft³ | 160 to under 240 lb |
| 48 in | 53.3 ft³ | 213.4 to under 320 lb |
| 60 in | 66.7 ft³ | 266.7 to under 400 lb |
| 72 in | 80 ft³ | 320 to under 480 lb |
Weights include the pallet. A weight shown is always inside the class; at the upper limit the next cheaper class begins.
Getting from class 175 to class 125
Class is worked out per handling unit from its outside dimensions, so the same goods packed shorter and tighter can ship a class lower. The 270 lb pallet in the calculator is 48 in tall; restacked to 40 in or less at the same weight, it reaches class 125. The calculator's suggestions show the same for your own freight.
Class 175 and the 2025 scale change
This band did not change with Docket 2025-1: the scale is the same as before for freight under 30 lb/ft³. What changed for many shippers is that more commodities now follow the density scale instead of a fixed class. The background is in NMFC density changes 2025–2026.
Large, light shipments
Freight this light fills a trailer long before it fills the weight limit, so some carriers price big shipments by space instead. Pitt Ohio, for example, applies a minimum charge to shipments averaging under 6 lb/ft³ that need 750 ft³ or more of trailer space. Other carriers' rules differ; ask for a volume quote.
Measuring it right
Measure each handling unit at its longest and widest points, overhang included, and weigh it with the pallet. Some carriers bill tall freight as if it were taller: XPO treats an article 75 in or taller as 96 in high, which lowers its density and can raise its class. If a carrier measures a different density at the dock, it can reclass the shipment; see reclass and reweigh fees.
Questions
What is class 175 freight?
On the NMFC density scale, freight whose density is 4 to less than 6 lb/ft³. It is step 4 of 13, counting from the most expensive class (400) to the cheapest (50). Commodities whose NMFC item follows the density scale take class 175 when they measure in this band; items with a fixed class keep their own.
What density is freight class 175?
4 to less than 6 lb/ft³, which is 64 to less than 96 kg/m³. Density is the weight in pounds divided by the cubic feet of the handling unit, pallet included.
How much does a class 175 pallet weigh?
A 48 × 40 in pallet stacked 48 in high, pallet included, is class 175 at 213.4 to under 320 lb. Taller or shorter pallets shift the range; the table above lists each height.
Is class 125 cheaper than class 175?
Yes. A lower class number means a lower rate per hundred pounds, and class 125 is the next step down from class 175. Freight reaches it at 6 lb/ft³ or more.