Where can I look up NMFC codes for free?

The official NMFC database is NMFTA's ClassIT tool, which requires a licence. Carriers and brokers can confirm item numbers for you. For most commodities since July 2025, the operative answer is the density-based class, which you can compute freely from dimensions and weight.

What is the difference between an NMFC code and a freight class?

The NMFC item number identifies the commodity; the freight class (50-500) is the pricing category. Since Docket 2025-1, most items class by measured density on a 13-band scale.

How do I find the freight class without an NMFC code?

Measure the packaged shipment, compute pounds per cubic foot, and read the current density scale. That gives the density-based class, which is the classification for most commodities today.

NMFC Code Lookup: How to Find Your Freight Class & Item Number

Where to look up NMFC codes officially

The National Motor Freight Classification is published by NMFTA and accessed through ClassIT, its official lookup tool. That is the only authoritative source for item numbers; carriers and 3PLs license it, and many will confirm an item number for you if you describe the commodity precisely.

No free site can legitimately republish the full item database — it is a licensed publication. Anyone offering a complete "free NMFC database" is either out of date or out of bounds. What you can do freely is compute the density-based class, which since July 2025 is the operative answer for most commodities.

Code vs. class

An NMFC item number (for example, five or six digits, sometimes with a sub-number) identifies what the commodity is. The freight class (50 - 500) sets how it prices. Since Docket 2025-1, most items simply point at the density scale: measure your shipment, read the band, that is your class. The calculator does this in one step.

Typical classes for common commodities

Editorial reference, not a classification: typical density-based classes for common LTL commodities under the current 13-band scale. Each links to a detailed guide.

Commodity	Typical class
Aluminum	60 / 85
Appliances	92.5 / 100
Auto parts	65 / 70
Batteries	60 / 65
Books	60 / 55
Clothing	125 / 175
Computers	92.5 / 85
Electronics	92.5 / 100
Engines	70 / 85
Food	55 / 65
Furniture	175 / 92.5
Generators	70 / 85
Glass	60 / 70
Lumber	55 / 60
Machinery	85 / 70
Mattresses	250 / 175
Motorcycles	125 / 175
Paper	55 / 100
Plastic	60 / 175
Printed material	55 / 60
Refrigerators	125 / 175
Steel	50 / 60
Tires	70 / 125
Tools	85 / 100
Toys	125 / 175
Transmissions	70 / 85

Use this as a sanity check, not a BOL entry. Your measured density decides the class; the NMFC item confirms it. When they disagree, the item wins — confirm it with your carrier.

NMFC code lookup

Where to look up NMFC codes officially

Code vs. class

Typical classes for common commodities