Truck-rental guides are useful reference points, but the same “20-foot truck” can have different interior dimensions between fleets.
Compare nominal cubic capacity
Convert your inventory estimate into the same unit used by the rental company. U.S. fleets commonly publish cubic-foot capacities; many other markets use cubic metres.
Discount nominal capacity
Wheel arches, doors, tie-down points and irregular furniture reduce practical capacity. If a perfect fit would require 100% of the published volume, the vehicle is probably too small for a normal household load.
Check payload as well as space
Bulky goods usually run out of space first, but books, tools, tiles or dense equipment can make weight limits relevant. Always follow the vehicle provider’s payload and loading rules.
Try these quantities in the Moving Truck Size Calculator, then adjust them to your inventory.
This five-size reference list is intentionally non-exhaustive. Larger vehicles may be available by market and provider; U-Haul also publishes a 29 ft truck at 2,057 ft³. Check local availability, payload and access before booking.
Worked planning example
An 18 m³ inventory occupies about 636 ft³. At 75% loading efficiency, nominal capacity needed is about 848 ft³. The 764 ft³ reference 15 ft truck is too small for one trip; the 1,016 ft³ 20 ft reference provides about 762 ft³ usable space. Check payload and whether the longest item passes through the door.
Common mistakes
- Comparing inventory only with nominal capacity.
- Assuming a longer truck automatically has adequate payload.
- Ignoring the height of the door opening.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What triggers the close-to-capacity warning?
An inventory above 90% of the selected vehicle’s effective cubic capacity. Consider the next size or a more detailed loading plan.
Why does the result sometimes show multiple trips?
The inventory exceeds the largest reference truck’s usable capacity. The model rounds the volume ratio up to whole trips.
Does a 0 m³ inventory need a van?
No. The calculator reports no vehicle capacity required and zero trips.