NMFC lookup/Category guide
Furniture & fixtures freight classes and NMFC guide
Furniture is one of the hardest categories to classify because the same item can ship assembled, knocked down, or nested. Density, packaging, and whether the carrier can stack the handling unit usually decide the class.
Reviewed November 11, 2026 · Reference 2026.11 · 4 commodity guides
At a glance
What changes the class inside this category.
The class is not set by the category name. It is set by the form, packaging, and handling unit of the specific commodity. These are the variables that move a shipment between tiers.
4
commodity guides
1
density-rated
3
mixed or item-specific
What to watch
- Assembled versus knocked-down (KD) versions of the same item can land in different density bands.
- Legs, arms, and headboards often push the handling unit past the pallet footprint.
- Protective packaging adds cube without adding much weight, which lowers density.
Start with the document, not the class. The NMFC item controls the description and any special provision. Confirm it in ClassIT+ or with the carrier, then measure the handling unit.
How to find an NMFC codeCommodity · basis · density · class span
4 entries
| Commodity | Basis | Typical density | Class span | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bookcases Bookcases are light for their height and easy to tip. The density question is usually about packaging and whether the unit ships assembled, flat-packed, or with glass shelves. | Mixed | 4–8 lb/ft³ | Class 100–175 | High |
| Mattresses Mattresses are bulky and light for their cube, so packed density usually lands in the low single digits. Compression, pallet height, and overhang move the result more than the mattress type. | Density | 2–4 lb/ft³ | Class 175–250 | High |
| Sofas & sectionals Upholstered seating is bulky and easy to under-measure. A sofa that ships assembled, knocked down, or as a modular sectional can land in different density bands. | Mixed | 4–7 lb/ft³ | Class 125–175 | High |
| Wood cabinets Cabinets are dense for furniture but awkward to pack. Assembled cabinets, flat-pack cabinets, and vanity tops can follow different density paths and different NMFC items. | Mixed | 5–9.5 lb/ft³ | Class 100–175 | High |
Class spans are derived from the endpoints of each typical density estimate. A measured shipment returns one class. Methodology & sources.
Turn it into a number
Measure the shipment, not the category.
Use the freight class calculator for the density math, the pallet calculator for the finished handling unit, and the linear feet calculator for trailer floor space.
Related categories
Keep browsing.
Appliances & electronics
Appliances and electronics are bulky relative to their weight, so density usually lands in the middle of the scale. The packaging — foam, crates, and pallets — often matters more than the product itself.
Browse category →Building materials
Building materials are usually dense and stable, which makes them easier to classify than furniture. The trap is shipping partial units, mixed loads, or material that is wet, wrapped, or bundled differently from the norm.
Browse category →Metals & hardware
Metals and hardware are dense, so they usually sit at the low end of the class scale. The classification question is less about density and more about the exact form: plate, bar, extrusion, coil, or finished part.
Browse category →Category notes
One category, several density stories.
The table is a starting point. The detail page for each commodity explains what drives the density, how to measure it, and what to confirm before booking.
Corrections: hello@freightclasshub.com