Free Moving Planning Tool

Truck / Container Calculator

Estimate the right moving truck, container size, and cubic feet for your move.

Select your home size, choose how full your load may be, and add large items to get a quick truck or container recommendation before moving day.

100% Free No personal details required Helpful for DIY, container, and full-service move planning

Find the Right Truck or Container Size

Use this calculator to estimate how much space your move may need. Your recommendation is based on home size, load fullness, and large items.

Step 1 of 3Home and load

1

Select Your Home Size

Start with the closest home size to estimate your baseline cubic feet.

2

How full will your truck/container be?

Choose the level that best describes your belongings.

3

Do you have large items?

Select all that apply. Bulky items help fine-tune your recommendation.

Planning only. No personal details are required to use the calculator.

This is a planning estimate. Actual space needs may vary based on furniture size, packing style, how tightly items are loaded, and whether you have bulky or oddly shaped items.

Need Help With the Move?

A truck or container size estimate can help you plan, but full-service movers may save time, lifting, driving, and multiple trips. Compare free moving quotes before deciding.

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How the Truck / Container Calculator Helps You Plan

Truck and container sizing can be confusing because home size alone does not always tell the full story. A lightly furnished 2-bedroom apartment may need less space than a full 1-bedroom home with storage closets, outdoor furniture, and bulky items.

1

Select Your Home Size

Start with a studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, or 4+ bedroom home to estimate a baseline cubic-foot range.

2

Choose Your Load Level

Select whether your truck or container may be light, average, or full. This helps adjust the recommendation to your actual belongings.

3

Add Large Items

Sofas, mattresses, dining tables, appliances, patio furniture, and other bulky items can change how much space your move needs.

Moving Truck and Container Size Guide

Use this guide as a general reference. The calculator above gives a more personalized recommendation based on your selections.

Compact

10 ft Truck

8 ft Container alternative

  • Studio, small apartment, or limited furniture
  • Good for smaller moves when furniture is minimal.
Most common

16 ft Truck

12 ft Container alternative

  • 1-2 bedroom apartment or average 2-bedroom load
  • Often a practical choice for smaller household moves.
More room

20 ft Truck

16 ft Container alternative

  • 2-3 bedroom home or larger apartment
  • Useful when you have bulky furniture or more boxes.
Largest load

26 ft Truck

Two 16 ft containers

  • Large homes, full loads, or 4+ bedroom moves
  • Best when you want to reduce multiple trips.

How to Choose Between a Truck, Container, or Movers

The right option depends on how much you are moving, how comfortable you are with loading and driving, and whether you want help with labor, transportation, or both.

Drive yourself

Rental Truck

Best when you want control over timing, pickup, loading, and driving.

Load over time

Moving Container

Helpful when you want a container dropped off, picked up, and transported for you.

Less heavy lifting

Professional Movers

Worth comparing when stairs, bulky items, distance, or loading time may make DIY harder.

Space estimate

Use Cubic Feet as a Space Estimate

Cubic feet helps estimate how much physical space your belongings may take inside a truck or container. Furniture shape, box stacking, and loading skill can all affect the final space required.

If your estimate is close to the upper limit of a truck size, consider choosing the next size up to avoid tight loading or multiple trips.

Load reality

Truck Size Is Not Just About Home Size

A 2-bedroom home with a sectional sofa, patio furniture, appliances, and many boxes may need more space than a lightly furnished 3-bedroom home.

Large and oddly shaped items often determine whether a move fits comfortably or feels tight.

Items That Can Change Your Truck or Container Size

Large furniture and bulky household items can take more space than expected, especially when they cannot be stacked easily.

High floor space

Sofas and Sectionals

Sofas can take a large amount of floor space and may limit how tightly boxes can be stacked around them.

Tall or flat load

Mattresses and Bed Frames

Mattresses are bulky and need room to stand upright or lay flat depending on the truck or container layout.

Awkward shape

Dining Tables

Dining tables, chairs, and leaves can take more room if they are not disassembled or protected properly.

Heavy and rigid

Appliances

Refrigerators, washers, dryers, and large appliances can quickly increase the space and loading effort needed.

Bulky and light

Patio Furniture

Outdoor furniture is often lightweight but bulky, making it harder to load efficiently with boxes and indoor furniture.

Irregular items

Other Large Items

Exercise equipment, shelving, garage items, and oversized decor can all change the space recommendation.

Tips for Choosing the Right Truck or Container Size

Use these sizing rules before you reserve a rental truck, container, or moving crew. They are planning checks, not separate guide links.

01

Leave buffer

Do Not Plan for a Perfect Fit

Leave room for awkward furniture, loading gaps, padding, and items that do not stack neatly.

02

Size up

Choose Larger if You Are Between Sizes

A slightly larger truck may help avoid multiple trips, difficult loading, or last-minute storage problems.

03

Measure first

Measure Bulky Furniture

Sectionals, appliances, dining tables, and mattresses can affect space more than box count alone.

04

Loading matters

Think About Loading Skill

Professional movers can often load more efficiently than a DIY crew, which may affect how much space is needed.

05

Check access

Account for Stairs and Access

If loading is difficult, consider movers or loading help to reduce time, strain, and risk of damage.

06

Compare options

Compare Before Renting

A DIY truck can look cheaper upfront, but full-service movers may save time, driving, lifting, and added costs.

More Moving Planning Tools

Use these tools to estimate supplies, labor, move difficulty, and inventory details.

Supplies

Packing Materials Calculator

Estimate moving boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and packing supplies.

Open calculator Labor time

Crew Size & Time Estimator

Estimate how many movers and hours your move may need.

Estimate crew time Move effort

Move Difficulty Score

See how stairs, access, and heavy items affect your move.

Check difficulty Room inventory

Inventory Builder

Build a room-by-room inventory for a more accurate move estimate.

Build inventory

Moving Resources to Compare Next

When you know your estimated space, compare the full move picture: truck rental time, container delivery windows, loading help, driving distance, and whether professional movers may be a better fit.

Compare next

Use your space estimate to choose the right moving path.

Look beyond cubic feet and compare cost, timing, labor, driving distance, and how much help you want on move day.

Free moving quotesCompare mover pricing before you rent a truck or container. Moving companiesResearch mover types, service areas, and company options. Moving toolsKeep planning with calculators, checklists, and estimators. Moving guidesRead practical advice for packing, loading, and move day. Local moversCompare help for nearby, apartment, and same-city moves. Long-distance moversPlan interstate or cross-country moving options.

Truck / Container Calculator FAQs

Answers to common questions about moving truck size, container alternatives, cubic feet, bulky items, and planning a DIY or full-service move.

The right moving truck size depends on your home size, how full your load is, how much furniture you have, and whether you are moving large items such as sofas, mattresses, appliances, or patio furniture.

Ready to Compare Your Options?

Get Free Quotes From Movers Before You Rent a Truck

Whether you are considering a rental truck, container, or full-service movers, Movers.com can help you compare options for your local or long-distance move.

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