Freight Class for Mattresses
Mattresses are the classic “lots of air, little weight” shipment, so under the 2025 density-based scale they class high — and ship expensive. Most mattresses land between class 250 and class 300, but the exact number comes straight from the piece’s density. Here’s the typical range, the math, and the exact class one click away.
The short answer
Typical packaged mattresses runs about 1–4 PCF, which maps to roughly class 250–300 on the 2025 NMFTA scale. Worked example — a boxed queen innerspring mattress, 60×80×12 in at 130 lb:
60×80×12 ÷ 1,728 = 33.33 ft³ → 130 ÷ 33.33 = 3.9 PCF → Class 250
Why mattresses classes the way it does
A mattress is almost pure volume: a queen is roughly 33 cubic feet but weighs only a hundred pounds or so. Because the 2025 NMFTA scale rates freight on density (pounds per cubic foot), that very low density lands mattresses near the top of the class scale, where the rates are highest.
The band moves with construction. A dense innerspring or hybrid packs a bit more weight into the same cube and can sit around class 250. A light all-foam or air mattress climbs toward class 300. A mattress compressed and roll-packed in a box is far denser and can drop a class or two — which is exactly why you calculate from the packed dimensions rather than guess.
How to calculate it for your shipment
Multiply your packed length, width, and height in inches, divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divide the weight by that volume for density in pounds per cubic foot (PCF). Map the PCF to the class on the NMFTA scale. The Freight Density Calculator does it in one step; the Target Class Calculator runs it backward to find the weight that would hit a class you’re aiming for. Prefer a lookup? The density-to-freight-class chart lists every class and its PCF band.
Get the class right the first time
Because the 2025 scale rates on density, sloppy dimensions are what get mattresses reclassed and back-billed. Measure to the farthest points on the packed piece, weigh it on a certified scale, and calculate the density before pickup — don’t eyeball the class. For the full picture of how density-based classification works, start with the freight class guide, and see why freight gets reclassed if a carrier disputes your number. Freight class is set by the NMFTA; look up your specific NMFC item with the NMFTA.
Frequently asked
What is the freight class for mattresses?
It depends on density, but most mattresses fall between class 250 and class 300 under the 2025 density-based scale because they are very light for their size. A boxed queen innerspring at about 3.9 PCF classes at 250, for example. A roll-packed, compressed mattress is denser and can class lower. Calculate the exact class from your mattress’s weight and packed dimensions.
Why are mattresses so expensive to ship LTL?
A mattress takes up a large slice of trailer space for very little weight, so it classes high, and higher classes carry higher rates. Mattresses are also awkward to stack, which can add handling. Shipping a compressed, roll-packed mattress raises its density and can lower its class.
Does a roll-packed (compressed) mattress class lower?
Usually yes. Class is set by density, and a roll-packed mattress squeezes the same weight into a much smaller box, raising pounds per cubic foot. Measure the compressed carton, not the expanded mattress, to get the class you will actually be billed.
How do I calculate freight class for a mattress?
Multiply the packed length, width, and height in inches and divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet. Divide the weight in pounds by that volume to get density in pounds per cubic foot (PCF), then map the PCF to a class on the NMFTA scale. The Freight Density Calculator does it in one step.