What freight class is lumber?

Banded hardwood lumber typically rates class 55 - 60 (30 - 50 pcf); softwood and millwork rate class 65 - 70. The exact class depends on the measured density of your packaged shipment.

How do I find the exact class for my lumber shipment?

Measure the packaged dimensions and weight, compute pounds per cubic foot, and read the current 13-band NMFC density scale - or use the free calculator on this site. Confirm the NMFC item number with your carrier for the BOL.

Did the 2025 NMFC changes affect lumber?

Docket 2025-1 (July 2025) moved roughly 2,000 commodity listings to density-based classification and rebuilt the density scale to 13 bands, so most freight - including this category - now classes primarily by measured density.

Freight Class for Lumber: Typical Classes & How to Verify

Why lumber rates where it does

Dense hardwoods - oak, maple, hickory - band into units that commonly exceed 30 pcf and rate class 55 - 60. Softwoods like pine and cedar are lighter, typically 20 - 28 pcf, landing at class 65 - 70. Millwork and mouldings with air in the bundle run lighter still.

Worked example. A banded unit of hardwood lumber: 96 × 42 × 30 in, 2400 lb. That is 70.0 cu ft and 2400 lb → 34.29 pcf → class 60. Run your own numbers →

Relevant class pages: class 55 · class 60 · class 70.

What moves the number

Keep bundles tight and uniform: a loose, stair-stepped bundle measures bigger than the wood inside it. Overlength applies to lumber constantly - most LTL carriers surcharge beyond 8 or 12 feet.

Measure, don't assume. Since NMFC Docket 2025-1 (July 2025) most commodities class by measured density on a 13-band scale. The ranges above are typical, not guaranteed — your packaging decides your density. Calculate your actual class →

Freight class for lumber

Why lumber rates where it does

What moves the number