Moving Space Calculator
A studio apartment requires approximately 200–400 cubic feet, a 2-bedroom apartment needs 500–800 cu ft, a 3-bedroom home needs 900–1,300 cu ft, and a 4-bedroom home needs 1,200–1,800 cu ft. These estimates help you choose the right truck, container, or storage unit size.
Total Cubic Feet = Sum of (Each Item's Length × Width × Height in feet) + 15% for packing materials and loading gaps
Knowing the total cubic footage of your belongings is essential for choosing the right moving truck, portable container, or storage unit — and for getting accurate quotes from movers who price by volume. Our moving space calculator estimates your total space requirements based on furniture inventory and room count, helping you avoid the costly mistake of renting a truck or container that's too small (requiring a second trip) or too large (wasting money).
Volume-based pricing is increasingly common, especially for LCL (less-than-container-load) international shipments and portable container services like PODS and U-Pack.
What This Means
Your space estimate includes a 15% buffer for packing materials, irregular shapes, and loading inefficiency. Even professional loaders can't fill a space to 100% capacity due to furniture shapes and the need for padding between items. When choosing a truck or container, select the option whose capacity exceeds your estimate — going slightly larger is always better than going too small.
Cubic Footage by Home Size
| Home Size | Light Furnishing | Average Furnishing | Heavy Furnishing | Recommended Truck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 150–250 cu ft | 250–400 cu ft | 400–500 cu ft | 10–12 ft |
| 1-Bedroom | 300–400 cu ft | 400–600 cu ft | 600–800 cu ft | 12–15 ft |
| 2-Bedroom | 500–700 cu ft | 700–900 cu ft | 900–1,100 cu ft | 15–20 ft |
| 3-Bedroom | 800–1,000 cu ft | 1,000–1,300 cu ft | 1,300–1,600 cu ft | 20–26 ft |
| 4-Bedroom | 1,100–1,400 cu ft | 1,400–1,700 cu ft | 1,700–2,100 cu ft | 26 ft or 2 trips |
| 5+ Bedroom | 1,500–1,800 cu ft | 1,800–2,200 cu ft | 2,200–2,800 cu ft | 26 ft + trailer |
Cubic Footage of Common Household Items
| Item | Cubic Feet |
|---|---|
| King bed (mattress + box spring + frame) | 70–80 |
| Queen bed (mattress + box spring + frame) | 60–70 |
| Dresser (6-drawer) | 25–35 |
| Sofa (3-seat) | 50–70 |
| Sectional sofa | 80–120 |
| Dining table + 4 chairs | 35–50 |
| Desk (standard office) | 20–30 |
| Bookcase (5-shelf) | 15–25 |
| Refrigerator | 40–60 |
| Washer | 20–25 |
| Dryer | 20–25 |
| Small box (1.5 cu ft) | 1.5 |
| Medium box (3.0 cu ft) | 3.0 |
| Large box (4.5 cu ft) | 4.5 |
| Wardrobe box | 15–18 |
A typical 3-bedroom home has 6–8 major furniture pieces per room, 50–70 packed boxes, and miscellaneous items totaling 1,000–1,300 cubic feet.
Worked Example: Calculating Space for a 2-Bedroom
Rachel is moving a 2-bedroom apartment and needs to choose between a 15-ft truck (764 cu ft) and a 20-ft truck (1,015 cu ft). Here's her space calculation:
| Item | Quantity | Cu Ft Each | Total Cu Ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen bed (full set) | 1 | 65 | 65 |
| Full bed (full set) | 1 | 55 | 55 |
| Dresser | 2 | 30 | 60 |
| Nightstands | 3 | 8 | 24 |
| Sofa (3-seat) | 1 | 60 | 60 |
| Armchair | 1 | 30 | 30 |
| Coffee table | 1 | 15 | 15 |
| TV stand | 1 | 20 | 20 |
| Dining table + 4 chairs | 1 | 40 | 40 |
| Desk | 1 | 25 | 25 |
| Bookcase | 1 | 20 | 20 |
| Small boxes | 12 | 1.5 | 18 |
| Medium boxes | 15 | 3 | 45 |
| Large boxes | 10 | 4.5 | 45 |
| Wardrobe boxes | 3 | 16 | 48 |
| Miscellaneous (lamps, decor, misc) | — | — | 60 |
| Subtotal | 630 cu ft | ||
| + 15% Buffer | 725 cu ft | ||
Result: At 725 cu ft, a 15-ft truck (764 cu ft) is a tight fit but workable. However, the 20-ft truck (1,015 cu ft) gives 40% more room for just $10–$20 more per day. Rachel chose the 20-ft truck for peace of mind.
Matching Cubic Footage to Storage Units
If you need temporary storage during your move, here's how to match your cubic footage to the right storage unit:
| Storage Unit Size | Cubic Capacity | Fits | Avg Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5' × 5' | 200 cu ft | Walk-in closet, small studio contents | $50–$100 |
| 5' × 10' | 400 cu ft | Studio or small 1-bedroom | $75–$150 |
| 10' × 10' | 800 cu ft | 1–2 bedroom apartment | $100–$250 |
| 10' × 15' | 1,200 cu ft | 2–3 bedroom home | $150–$350 |
| 10' × 20' | 1,600 cu ft | 3–4 bedroom home | $175–$400 |
| 10' × 30' | 2,400 cu ft | 4–5 bedroom home or home + vehicles | $250–$500 |
Storage unit capacities assume an 8-foot ceiling. Climate-controlled units cost 20–30% more but protect against humidity damage. See our storage unit cost calculator for detailed pricing.
Sources and Methodology
Our space calculator uses:
- Furniture dimension data from major manufacturers and the American Moving & Storage Association household inventory guide.
- Truck and container capacity specifications from U-Haul, Penske, Budget, PODS, and U-Pack.
- Storage unit standard dimensions from the Self Storage Association.
- Loading efficiency factors (85%) validated through real-world packing data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet is a 3-bedroom house?
A 3-bedroom house with average furnishings requires approximately 1,000–1,300 cubic feet of moving space. This includes bedroom furniture, living room and dining room sets, kitchen contents in boxes, and miscellaneous items from closets, bathrooms, and storage areas. Heavily furnished homes with full garages or workshops can reach 1,600 cubic feet. A 20–26 ft moving truck accommodates this volume.
How do I calculate cubic feet for moving?
Measure each large item's length, width, and height in feet, then multiply all three dimensions together. For example, a dresser that is 5 ft tall, 3 ft wide, and 2 ft deep = 30 cu ft. For boxes, use the stated cubic footage (small = 1.5, medium = 3.0, large = 4.5). Add all items together, then multiply by 1.15 to add a 15% buffer for loading gaps and packing materials. This gives your total required space.
What's the difference between cubic feet and square feet for storage?
Square feet is the floor area (length × width), while cubic feet is the total volume (length × width × height). A 10' × 10' storage unit has 100 square feet of floor space. With an 8-foot ceiling, it has 800 cubic feet of total volume. Cubic feet is the more useful measurement for moving because you can stack items to use the full height. When comparing trucks, containers, and storage units, always use cubic feet.
How do I reduce the cubic footage of my move?
The most effective ways to reduce volume: (1) Disassemble all furniture — removing legs from tables and headboards from beds saves 20–30% of their volume. (2) Nest items — put smaller items inside larger ones (pots inside pots, small boxes inside large items). (3) Vacuum-seal soft goods like bedding, pillows, and winter coats to reduce their volume by 50–75%. (4) Declutter — every item you sell or donate directly reduces your cubic footage and moving cost.