Moving Truck Size Calculator
Count your furniture, or enter a volume directly. Typical truck capacities are stated in the formula section.
Worked example
One sofa (1.5), one queen bed (1.2), one dining set (1.0), two dressers (1.2), one fridge (1.0) and 20 boxes (2.0) total 7.9 m3. Allowing for packing gaps, you need capacity for 7.9 / 0.85 = 9.3 m3, which is more than a cargo van holds, so the recommendation is a 16 ft truck.
Formula
Item volumes are the typical packed volumes stated beside each field. Recommended class is the smallest truck whose stated capacity fits your volume loaded at 85 percent, because real loads never pack perfectly. Typical capacities: cargo van about 8 m3, 16 ft truck about 22 m3, 20 ft about 28 m3, 26 ft about 45 m3. Actual capacities vary by rental company and model.
FAQs
One size up or down? If your volume lands within 10 percent of a class limit, size up. A single trip in a bigger truck almost always beats a second trip, especially on a long-distance move.
What about weight limits? Volume is the usual constraint for household moves, but loads heavy in books, tools or gym equipment can hit a smaller truck's payload limit first. Check the rental listing for payload, not just size.
Estimates only. Figures are planning guides based on the stated assumptions, not professional advice. Verify quantities and prices before purchasing.