Volume is the common language that connects your inventory to truck size, storage space and trip count.
Count boxes separately from furniture
Box volume is relatively consistent if you use a standard set of cartons. Furniture varies much more, so measure the largest pieces and estimate smaller pieces in groups.
Use external dimensions
For planning vehicle or storage space, the outside dimensions matter. Measure length × width × height and include protruding arms, legs or handles unless they will be removed.
Allow for imperfect packing
Real loads contain gaps. Sofas, chairs, lamps and irregular furniture do not tessellate like identical cartons. Apply a packing-efficiency assumption rather than assuming every cubic foot of nominal vehicle space can be used.
Try these quantities in the Moving Volume Calculator, then adjust them to your inventory.
Worked planning example
Enter 40 boxes in average-volume mode, 8 small furniture items, 6 large furniture items, 3 appliances and 4 awkward items. Raw volume is 3.40 + 2.80 + 6.30 + 1.95 + 1.80 = 16.25 m³. A 15% packing allowance gives 18.69 m³, about 660 ft³. Importing a size breakdown replaces the 3.40 m³ box average with the measured reference mix.
Common mistakes
- Counting the same box in both an imported mix and a manual total.
- Using room floor area as inventory volume.
- Adding padding twice: once in measured dimensions and again as an allowance.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What does one manually entered box represent?
By default, 0.085 m³ or about 3 ft³. Change that average under Adjust assumptions, or select a size breakdown.
Can I change furniture category volumes?
Yes. The advanced section lets you replace each average. Use packed dimensions for unusually large or dismantled pieces.
Is the packing allowance the same as truck efficiency?
No. The allowance adds to the inventory estimate; truck efficiency reserves unusable vehicle space. Review both to avoid excessive overlapping contingency.