UNDERSTANDING CUBIC CAPACITY

LTL carriers impose minimum cubic capacity rules to effectively counter shipments that take up more than their fair share
of a trailer. In most cases, LTL carriers state that if a shipment consumes 750 cubic feet of space or more, and the
shipment has a density of fewer than 6 pounds per cubic foot, it’s not paying its fair share. While the rule varies
dramatically amongst carriers, most artificially adjust the weight to a minimum of 6 pounds per cubic foot, and apply a 125
or 150 commodity class to the shipment with those associated tariff rates. Most carriers use the 750 cubic feet as the
threshold, but not all.

Quick Carrier Reference:

Carrier Linear Foot Ruling Cubic Feet Density (PCF = ponds per cubic foot)
AAA Cooper 12 ft. 750 Cubic Feet 6 PCF
ODFL 20 ft. 750 Cubic Feet 6 PCF
SEFL 12 ft. 750 Cubic Feet 6 PCF
Averitt 12 ft. 750 Cubic Feet 6 PCF
Holland 12 ft. 750 Cubic Feet 6 PCF
XPO 14 ft. 350 Cubic Feet 3 PCF
ABF 14 ft. 750 Cubic Feet 6 PCF
YRC 16 Ft. 750 Cubic Feet 6 PCF
Reddaway 15 ft. 750 Cubic Feet 6 PCF

LTX SOLUTIONS 1
CALCULATING CUBIC CAPACITY
• (L” x W” x H”) = cubic inches
• Divide by 1,728 (cubic inches to feet conversion) to calculate cubic feet
• Weight/Cubic Feet = Pounds per cubic feet (PCF)
• Density = Weight x Cubic Dimension (PCF)

EXAMPLE:
• Length 48” x Width 40” x Height 28” (20” + 8” of pallet) = 53,760 Cubic Inches
• 53,760 Cubic Inches/1,728 = 31.1 Cubic Feet
• 110 (Weight)/31.1 (Cubic Feet) = 3.54 Pound per cubic feet
• Density = 110 lbs. (80lbs for the carton and approximately 30 lbs. for the
pallet) divided by 3.54 (PCF) = 31

*If the trailer space is restricted outside the width and height restrictions of 48”x48” (standard pallet)
a width and height of 96” are used in lieu regardless of pallet dimensions

LTX SOLUTIONS 2
CALCULATING LINEAR FOOTAGE

• An even number of standard

pallets: 8 standard pallets
(48”x48”) can be floor
loaded side by side and
occupy 16’ linear feet.
(48”x48”) x 4 Pallets (2 rows
of 4 Pallets) = 192” or 16
linear feet
• An odd number of standard
pallets: 7 standard pallets
(48”x48”) equals 14 linear
feet. 12 linear feet for the
first 6 pallets and 2 linear
feet (½ the linear footage for
the odd pallet

LTX SOLUTIONS 3
CARRIER RESTRICTIONS
• 750 cubic feet or greater and has a density of 6 lbs. per cubic foot
• When an odd number of pallets are shipped (ex: 7 pallets) ½ of the odd pallet length will be used to determine the floor space
• Example: 7 standard pallets (48”x48”) equals 14 linear feet. 12 linear feet for the first 6 pallets and 2 linear feet (½ the
linear footage) for the odd pallet
• 96” will be used as the pallet height for any pallet that exceeds 50” in height or cannot have freight stacked on top due to
rounded or pyramid shaped tops, or restrictions set forth by the shipper
• 750 cubic feet with an average density of 6 lbs. per cubic foot
• If over these restrictions a class of 100 or 125 is applied with applicable discount levels based on pricing
• If the trailer space is restricted outside of the width and height restrictions of 48”x48” (standard pallet size) a width and height
of 96” are used in lieu regardless on the pallet dimensions

LTX SOLUTIONS 4