Methodology

Every calculator on freightcalcs is deterministic arithmetic from public formulas. Pallet TI is an integer pack of identical rectangles on a deck. CBM is L×W×H in meters. DIM is volume over a published divisor. Class is pounds per cubic foot on the NMFC 13-sub density scale (19 July 2025). Container internals are typical ISO figures. Last reviewed 8 September 2026.

Pallet packing — last reviewed 2026-09-08

  1. Usable deck = pallet L×W minus wrap on each side. Overhang off by default.
  2. Layer pack: uniform grid both 90° orientations, then two-block and three-region mixed layouts. Keep max TI.
  3. HI from height cap (inclusive of deck if checked) and weight cap including tare. Total = TI × HI.
  4. Cube utilization = carton cube / (usable deck × allowed cargo height).
  5. 180° interlock mirrors the layer; it does not change TI.

Sanity: 12 × 10 in on GMA = TI 16. 16 × 12 in on GMA = TI 9 (area bound 10). FBA 16 × 12 × 10 in at 72 in inclusive → HI 6.

CBM — last reviewed 2026-09-08

CBM = m³. From cm: cm³ / 1e6. From in: in³ / 61,023.844502. cu ft = in³ / 1,728 = CBM × 35.3146667. Air volumetric kg = CBM × 167 (IATA 6,000). Worked: 10 × 50 × 40 × 30 cm = 0.6 CBM.

DIM / chargeable — last reviewed 2026-09-08

Volumetric = (L×W×H)/divisor. Chargeable = max(actual, volumetric). FedEx/UPS/USPS/DHL/Amazon planning divisor 139 in³/lb or 5,000 cm³/kg. IATA air 6,000 cm³/kg. USPS DIM typically above 1 ft³ after the 12 July 2026 move to 139. We show exact quotient and ceil billed. Example: 20×16×12 / 139 = 27.626 lb.

NMFC class — last reviewed 2026-09-08

cu ft = in³ / 1,728. PCF = lb / cu ft. Map to FCDC 13-sub full-density scale (Docket 2025-1, effective 19 July 2025): 50 (≥50), 55 (35–<50), 60 (30–<35), 65 (22.5–<30), 70 (15–<22.5), 85 (12–<15), 92.5 (10–<12), 100 (8–<10), 125 (6–<8), 175 (4–<6), 250 (2–<4), 300 (1–<2), 400 (<1). Example: 48×40×36 in at 500 lb = 12.5 PCF → class 85. Commodity item can override.

Containers and vehicles — last reviewed 2026-09-08

Typical interiors (meters): 20ft 5.90×2.35×2.39 (33.2 CBM); 40ft 12.03×2.35×2.39 (67.7); 40HC 12.03×2.35×2.69 (76.4); 45HC 13.56×2.35×2.70 (86.0); 20 reefer 5.44×2.29×2.27 (28.3); 40 reefer HC 11.58×2.29×2.54 (67.8); 40 OT 12.03×2.35×2.35 (66.4). 53 ft van 630×98.5×110 in. Floor pack is the same integer algorithm as pallet TI. Sources: ISO 668 typicals, carrier equipment guides, NMFTA FCDC procedures (2025).

VGM — last reviewed 2026-09-08

SOLAS Method 2: VGM = cargo (including dunnage and packing) + container tare. Tare presets are typical; the CSC plate is required for a real submission.