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What size moving truck do I need?
Use this free moving truck size calculator: pick a typical home, adjust your furniture and boxes, and see the cubic feet, estimated weight and the right truck size, from cargo van to 26-foot truck.
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Add your items
- Total volume
- 0 cu ft
- Estimated weight
- 0 lb
- Items counted
- 0
- Truck space used
- 0%
What are you moving?
Typical moving truck sizes
| Truck | Approx. capacity | Usually fits |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | ~245 cu ft | Studio or dorm room |
| 10-foot truck | ~400 cu ft | Studio to small 1 bedroom |
| 12-foot truck | ~475 cu ft | Studio or 1 bedroom |
| 15-foot truck | ~760 cu ft | 1 to 2 bedrooms |
| 17-foot truck | ~865 cu ft | 2 to 3 bedrooms |
| 20-foot truck | ~1,000 cu ft | 2 to 3 bedrooms or a small house |
| 22-foot truck | ~1,200 cu ft | 3 to 4 bedrooms |
| 26-foot truck | ~1,700 cu ft | 4 or more bedrooms |
Capacities are typical figures; each rental company lists its own exact sizes, so check before you book.
What size truck for your home?
| Moving from | Usual truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio or dorm room | Cargo van or 10-foot truck |
| 1 bedroom apartment | 10-foot to 15-foot truck |
| 2 bedroom apartment | 15-foot to 20-foot truck |
| 3 bedroom house | 20-foot to 26-foot truck |
| 4 or more bedrooms | 26-foot truck, or two trips |
These ranges are a starting point. Two homes with the same number of bedrooms can hold very different amounts, so count your large items in the calculator above for a closer answer.
What size truck for a storage unit?
A storage unit's floor size times its ceiling height gives its maximum volume. A 10 x 10 unit with an 8-foot ceiling holds up to about 800 cubic feet, so a full unit usually needs a 15-foot to 20-foot truck. A 5 x 10 unit (up to about 400 cubic feet) usually fits in a 10-foot truck. Units are rarely packed to the ceiling, so measure how full yours is.
How to work out cubic feet
Measure an item's length, width and height in feet and multiply them. A box 2 ft x 1.5 ft x 1.5 ft is 4.5 cubic feet. If you measure in inches, multiply the three numbers and divide by 1,728.
Tips for loading a moving truck
- Load the heaviest items first, against the wall nearest the cab.
- Stand sofas and mattresses on end to save floor space.
- Fill gaps with soft items such as cushions and bags of clothes.
- Pack boxes of the same size together so they stack firmly.
- Keep a small box of essentials with you, not in the truck.
How this calculator works
- Each item uses a typical volume in cubic feet. Your furniture may be larger or smaller, so treat the result as an estimate.
- The recommendation leaves about 10% spare space, because furniture and boxes never pack perfectly.
- Weight uses a common moving rule of thumb of about 7 lb per cubic foot of household goods.
- The amount you own matters more than the number of bedrooms. If you are between two sizes, choose the bigger truck: a second trip usually costs more than the size difference.
Questions people ask
What size moving truck do I need for a 1 bedroom apartment?
A 1 bedroom apartment usually needs a 10-foot to 15-foot truck, roughly 400 to 760 cubic feet. If you have a large sofa, a king bed or many boxes, choose the 15-foot truck.
What size moving truck do I need for a 2 bedroom apartment?
Most 2 bedroom homes need roughly 700 to 1,000 cubic feet of space, which usually means a 15-foot to 20-foot truck. Count your large furniture and boxes in the calculator for a closer estimate.
How many cubic feet is a 26-foot moving truck?
A 26-foot truck typically holds around 1,700 cubic feet, enough for many 4 bedroom homes. Exact capacity varies by rental company.
How do I estimate the weight of my move?
A common rule of thumb is about 7 pounds per cubic foot of household goods. The calculator multiplies your total volume by this figure. Professional movers weigh the truck for an exact figure.
Should I rent a bigger truck to be safe?
If you are between two sizes, the bigger truck is usually the safer choice. A second trip costs extra time and fuel, often more than the price difference between truck sizes.
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