PCF stands for pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³). It is a measure of density — the weight of freight divided by the space it occupies in cubic feet. In LTL shipping, PCF is the number that sets most freight classes: the denser the shipment, the lower the class and the cheaper it ships.

How do I convert PCF to kg/m³?

Multiply PCF by 16.018 to get kilograms per cubic meter. For example, 10 PCF is about 160.2 kg/m³. To go the other way, divide kg/m³ by 16.018.

How do I convert pci to PCF?

pci means pounds per cubic inch (lb/in³). Multiply pci by 1,728 to get PCF, because there are 1,728 cubic inches in a cubic foot. So 0.01 lb/in³ equals 17.28 PCF. To convert PCF to pci, divide by 1,728.

How does PCF affect freight class?

Since the 2025 NMFTA density update, most LTL freight is classed by density. You calculate the shipment's PCF (weight in pounds divided by volume in cubic feet), then map that PCF to a class on the NMFTA scale. Higher PCF means a lower class and a lower rate; light, bulky freight has low PCF and a high class.

What is a typical PCF for freight?

It varies widely by commodity. Light, bulky freight like foam or empty containers can be 1–3 PCF; boxed consumer goods are often 8–15 PCF; dense freight like machine parts, tile, or steel can exceed 30 PCF. Water, for reference, is about 62.4 PCF. Your exact class comes from your shipment's own PCF.

What Is PCF (Pounds per Cubic Foot)?

PCF means pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³) — a measure of density, or how heavy freight is for the space it takes up. It’s the number that sets most LTL freight classes: divide weight in pounds by volume in cubic feet, and the result maps to a class. To convert, 1 PCF = 16.02 kg/m³. Here’s what PCF means, the conversions, and how it decides your class — with the free density calculator one click away.

What PCF means

PCF is short for pounds per cubic foot, written lb/ft³. It’s a density: the weight of your freight divided by the space it fills. Take the weight in pounds and divide by the volume in cubic feet — a 200 lb pallet that occupies 20 cubic feet is 10 PCF. In LTL freight, PCF is the single most important number, because the density scale turns it straight into a class.

PCF is just weight ÷ cubic feet. It’s the density carriers rate your freight on.

PCF conversions

PCF is a US unit, so you’ll often need to move between it and metric or other density units. The key factors:

Convert	How	Example
PCF → kg/m³	× 16.018	10 PCF = 160.2 kg/m³
kg/m³ → PCF	÷ 16.018	160.2 kg/m³ = 10 PCF
pci (lb/in³) → PCF	× 1,728	0.01 pci = 17.28 PCF
PCF → pci (lb/in³)	÷ 1,728	17.28 PCF = 0.01 pci
PCF → ppg (lb/gal)	× 0.1337	10 PCF = 1.34 ppg

The ×1,728 for pci comes from the 1,728 cubic inches in a cubic foot; the ×0.1337 for pounds-per-gallon comes from the 7.48 US gallons in a cubic foot. For a quick reference, the Freight Unit Converter handles the common ones.

How PCF sets your freight class

Since the July 19, 2025 NMFTA update, most LTL freight is classed by density. You calculate the shipment’s PCF, then read the class off the NMFTA scale: the higher the PCF (denser), the lower the class and the cheaper it ships; light, bulky freight has a low PCF and a high class. The Freight Density Calculator does the PCF-to-class step for you, and the density-to-freight-class chart lists the PCF range for every class. The full method is in the freight class guide.

Typical PCF ranges

Density varies enormously by commodity, which is exactly why you calculate rather than guess. Light, bulky freight — foam, empty totes, mattresses — can run 1–3 PCF. Boxed consumer goods are commonly 8–15 PCF. Dense freight — boxed metal parts, tile, packed steel — can climb past 30 PCF. As a familiar benchmark, water is about 62.4 PCF. Your own shipment’s PCF is the only number that sets its class.