NMFC lookup/Category guide
Metals & hardware freight classes and NMFC guide
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.
Reviewed November 11, 2026 · Reference 2026.11 · 3 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.
3
commodity guides
3
density-rated
0
mixed or item-specific
What to watch
- Form matters: plate, bar, sheet, and extrusion can be separate items.
- Protective crating adds cube to machined or finished metal.
- Heavy units need weight distribution and securement on the BOL.
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
3 entries
| Commodity | Basis | Typical density | Class span | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum extrusions Aluminum extrusions are lighter than steel but still dense enough to rate well. Long lengths, protective wrap, and the difference between mill finish and finished profiles drive the handling. | Density | 20–40 lb/ft³ | Class 55–70 | Low |
| Fasteners Fasteners are small, dense, and usually packed in cartons or pails on a pallet. Density is high and stable; the main risk is losing the specific item description in a generic hardware shipment. | Density | 100–250 lb/ft³ | Class 50 | Low |
| Steel plate & bar Steel plate and bar are among the densest common freight commodities. Density is not the uncertainty; the form, dimensions, and securement are. | Density | 100–300 lb/ft³ | Class 50 | Low |
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.
Furniture & fixtures
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.
Browse category →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 →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