Moving · Use case

Moving boxes,
and the right truck.

Calculate one box at a time below, or use batch mode for your whole move. Not sure what a small, medium or large box actually holds? See the moving box sizes the rental brands sell, measured. Then pick the right truck from the reference table at the bottom.

Got a whole house to move?

Use the batch calculator to add every box and get a single total.

Open batch mode →

Sizing your move

Cubic feet by home size.

These are rough averages for furnished homes — actual volume varies a lot with how much stuff you own. If you're a minimalist, drop one tier. If you're a packrat or have heavy furniture, go up one.

Studio / 1 room	300–450 ft³
1-bedroom apt	500–800 ft³
2-bedroom apt/house	800–1,200 ft³
3-bedroom house	1,300–1,800 ft³
4+ bedroom house	1,800–2,500+ ft³

Pro tip

Don't fill to 100%.

Movers pack tighter than you can. When loading yourself, plan for about 80% truck capacity — you need walking aisles, ratchet straps come loose, and oddly-shaped items don't tessellate.

And always go one size up if you're within 10% of the next truck's capacity. The cost difference is small; making two trips is brutal.

Truck size reference

U-Haul, Penske, and Budget.

Truck size	Capacity	Fits
Cargo van	~245 ft³	Studio with minimal stuff
10 ft truck	~400 ft³	Studio / dorm room
15 ft truck	~764 ft³	1-bedroom apt
17 ft truck	~865 ft³	1–2 bedroom apt
20 ft truck	~1,015 ft³	2-bedroom apt/house
26 ft truck	~1,682 ft³	3–4 bedroom house

Capacities are approximate and vary slightly by carrier. Always check the rental company's published specs before booking.

Moving FAQ

Common questions.

How do I calculate the cubic feet of my move?

Multiply length × width × height of each box in feet to get cubic feet per box, then sum across all your boxes. Or use the batch calculator to add many boxes at once. Most moves average 8–10 cubic feet per room for furnished homes.

What size moving truck do I need?

A studio fits in a 10 ft truck (~400 ft³). A 1-bedroom needs a 15 ft truck (~764 ft³). A 2-bedroom usually fits in a 20 ft truck (~1,015 ft³). A 3–4 bedroom house typically needs a 26 ft truck (~1,682 ft³). Always size up if you're close to capacity.

How do I estimate volume without measuring every box?

Use the home-size averages above as a starting point. Count "large" items (sofa ≈ 35 ft³, queen mattress ≈ 40 ft³, dining table ≈ 25 ft³, fridge ≈ 25 ft³) and add them on top of the box estimate. If you are buying boxes by name, the moving box sizes chart gives the cubic feet each named size really holds.

Should I trust online quote calculators from movers?

Use them as a rough starting point only. They often underestimate volume to make the quote look attractive. Do your own measurement, and ask for the cubic-feet number (not just dollars) in any quote — so you can compare apples to apples.