DOT Placard Calculator
Type a UN number from your shipping paper. We auto-fill the class and labels. Enter weight in lbs or kg, or for liquids enter gallons, drums, or totes and we'll convert using the material's specific gravity. Tell us if it's bulk (cargo tank, tote) or non-bulk, hit calculate, and get your placards per 49 CFR 172.504 plus whether your truck needs UN numbers.
Your Load
How Placarding Works
Table 1 materials (49 CFR 172.504(e)) always require placards regardless of weight: Class 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 explosives, Class 2.3 toxic gas, Class 4.3 dangerous when wet, Class 6.1 PG I inhalation hazard, and Class 7 Radioactive Yellow-III.
Table 2 materials (Classes 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 non-inhalation, 6.2, 8, 9) require placards only when their aggregate gross weight on the vehicle reaches 1,001 lbs.
Bulk packagings (cargo tanks, portable tanks, totes/IBCs, ton cylinders) must be placarded at any quantity. The 1,001 lb exception in 172.504(c) covers non-bulk packages only.
DANGEROUS placard (49 CFR 172.504(b)) may substitute for individual placards when non-bulk packages of two or more Table 2 classes are on board. Exception: if 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs) or more of any one class was loaded at one facility, that class must have its own placard. DANGEROUS cannot be used for bulk packagings.
UN numbers on the truck (49 CFR 172.302, 172.328, 172.331): bulk packagings carry the ID number: cargo tanks and portable tanks of 1,000 gal or more on each side and each end, smaller bulk such as totes on two opposing sides. If those can't be seen from outside, the truck shows them on each side and each end. Non-bulk loads need ID numbers on the truck only for 8,820 lbs (4,000 kg) or more of one material with nothing else on board, loaded at one facility (172.301(a)(3)), or 2,205 lbs (1,000 kg) or more of one Hazard Zone A or B inhalation hazard (172.313(c)). The number goes on the placard or on an orange panel next to it, but never on a DANGEROUS, EXPLOSIVES, RADIOACTIVE or subsidiary placard (172.334(a)).
Subsidiary hazards per 49 CFR 172.505: a subsidiary placard is required for the subsidiary class when the primary meets placarding thresholds.
Class 1.4 Compatibility Group S is exempt from placarding on highway vehicles per 49 CFR 172.504(f)(7). Not exempt on rail.
Residue packaging (49 CFR 172.514): bulk packagings (tank cars, cargo tanks, portable tanks) must remain placarded until cleaned and purged or refilled. Non-bulk residue packagings do not require placarding.
Limited Quantity (49 CFR 172.315): LTD QTY shipments are exempt from placarding. Packages must bear the square-on-point LTD QTY marking, and shipping papers must identify the material as "Limited Quantity" or "Ltd Qty".
Placard placement (49 CFR 172.516): placards must be displayed on all four sides of a vehicle, freight container, or rail car. They must be visible from ground level with no obstructions, advertisements, or labels interfering with visibility.