Why We Built This
Here's a scenario that probably sounds familiar: you're quoting a shipment, the carrier comes back with Class 85, but you thought it should be Class 70. Or maybe a customer is asking why their product isn't shipping at a lower class. You know the answer involves density and stowability, but explaining the concrete difference? That takes a minute.
We kept running into this. Not from shippers who are new to freight—they have other questions—but from people who already understand the basics and just want a quick reference. "Show me Class 65 next to Class 77.5. What's the density cutoff again?"
So we built a comparison tool. Nothing fancy. Just pick two classes, see them side by side.
How It Works
Go to /compare/, select two freight classes from the dropdowns, and you'll immediately see a comparison table. That's it.
No account required. No forms to fill out. The data loads instantly because it's all static—we're not hitting an API every time you make a selection.
If you're on a slow connection or an older device, it should still work fine. We kept the page lightweight on purpose.
What You'll See
For each class, the comparison shows:
- Density range — The pounds-per-cubic-foot thresholds that define each class
- Relative shipping cost — A general indicator (lowest, low, moderate, high, highest)
- Typical items — Examples of products that commonly ship at that class
- Key characteristics — What makes items fall into this classification
The cost indicator is worth explaining. We're not showing actual rates—those vary wildly by carrier, lane, and contract. What we're showing is relative cost within the classification system. Class 50 is always cheaper than Class 500, per hundredweight. How much cheaper depends on your specific situation.
When to Use It
Checking your work
You classified something as Class 70 based on density. But is 70 really the right choice, or should it be 77.5? Pull up the comparison and check the exact density thresholds. Sometimes a few pounds per cubic foot makes the difference.
Explaining to customers
When a customer asks why their lightweight-but-bulky product ships at Class 150 instead of Class 85, you can share the comparison link. It's easier than trying to explain density-based classification over email.
Training new staff
The 18 freight classes aren't intuitive if you haven't worked with them before. Having a quick way to compare any two classes helps people build mental models of how the system works.
Double-checking carrier quotes
Got a quote that seems off? Compare the class they're using against what you expected. If there's a significant difference, you'll see it immediately.
What It Won't Do
Let's be clear about what this tool isn't.
It won't tell you what class your specific product should be. That requires knowing the actual density, dimensions, and commodity type. Use our main search for that—find the NMFC code for your product, and you'll see its assigned class.
It won't calculate shipping rates. We show relative cost indicators, not dollar amounts. For actual rates, you need quotes from carriers.
It also won't factor in special circumstances. Hazmat, high-value items, unusual packaging—these can all affect how carriers handle and price your freight, regardless of the base class.
What's Next
We're considering a few additions based on early feedback:
- Comparing more than two classes at once
- Saving comparisons to reference later
- Embedding comparison results in shareable links
None of these are committed yet. We want to see how people actually use the current tool before adding complexity. If you have thoughts on what would make this more useful, we'd like to hear them.
The comparison tool is live now at freightclass.org/compare. Give it a try next time you're wondering about the difference between two classes.