Calc4Living

Moving & Storage · Free calculator

Truck Size Calculator

Estimate nominal cargo capacity needed from your cargo volume and loading efficiency.

Your moving inputs

Prefilled values are editable examples. All fields are required unless marked optional. Results clear when inputs change.

Changing units converts current lengths, areas and volumes. 1 ft = 0.3048 m; area and volume use squared and cubed factors.

Your estimate

Moving & storage estimate

Review the example assumptions, enter your values and calculate.

What size moving truck do I need for my cargo volume?

Required nominal capacity = estimated cargo volume ÷ (loading efficiency/100). Compare this volume with illustrative capacity bands; confirm actual vehicle specifications.

Worked example

For 10 m³ of cargo at 80% efficiency, nominal capacity needed is 12.5 m³, or 441.4333 ft³. The illustrative medium band spans 400–800 ft³; only capacities at or above the requirement pass the volume check.

Illustrative capacity ranges

  • Illustrative small cargo band: 200–400 ft³ (5.66–11.33 m³).
  • Illustrative medium cargo band: 400–800 ft³ (11.33–22.65 m³).
  • Illustrative large cargo band: 800–1600 ft³ (22.65–45.31 m³).

A range overlapping your requirement is not sufficient by itself: the actual vehicle capacity must meet or exceed it. Zero cargo requires no volume capacity. Check payload and dimensions separately.

Assumptions & limitations

  • Capacity bands are hypothetical planning examples, not current fleet data, truck lengths, a booking recommendation or a guarantee of fit. Enter geometric cargo volume before loading gaps.
  • Volume does not determine payload. Check actual cargo weight, vehicle payload, axle limits and load distribution with the provider. No weight capacity is inferred.
  • Check interior length, width, height, door opening, wheel arches, ramps and the largest item dimensions. Tie-downs, safe stacking and loading access reduce usable capacity. Requirements above 1,600 ft³ exceed these example bands.