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Figuring out how much storage space you need can be confusing. Our moving calculator makes it easier to determine what size portable storage container you need, and if you’ll need more than one to fit all of your belongings. To get the most accurate estimate, we recommend you start by making a list of your belongings room by room. After your list is created, keep it handy while you use our storage pace calculator below. Simply choose the quantity of boxes and furniture pieces you wish to move or store, and the tool will automatically calculate a recommendation on how much storage space you’ll need. Be sure to take your time when filling this out to get the most accurate estimate possible.
Estimate Which Size and How Many Portable Storage Containers You Need
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Check Out 1-800-PACK-RAT's Portable Moving and Storage Units
One Size Doesn't Fit All
- 8 ft
- 12 ft
- 16 ft
Typically holds 1-2 rooms of furniture
About the size of an 8’ x 8’ storage room
Holds up to 4,000 lbs of contents
7.2’W x 7.8’H x 8.5’L 404 cubic feet
All-steel & weatherproof
Barn-style doors
1-800-PACK-RAT’s 8-foot container is a great choice for smaller moving and storage needs. Each 8-foot container holds about 1-2 rooms of furniture and is roughly the same size as an 8’ x 8’ storage room. The 8-foot container can hold up to 4,000 lbs. worth of contents and the outer dimensions of the storage container are 7.2’W x 7.8’H x 8.5’L and it provides 404 cubic feet of packing room.
Typically holds 2-3 rooms of furniture
About the size of a 10’ x 10’ storage room
Holds up to 6,000 lbs of contents
7.75’W x 7.5’H x 12’L 620 cubic feet
All-steel & weatherproof
Barn-style doors
1-800-PACK-RAT’s 12-foot container is typically used for local moving and storage. Each 12-foot container holds about 2-3 rooms of furniture and is roughly the same size as a 10’ x 10’ storage room. The 12-foot container can hold up to 6,000 lbs. worth of contents. The outer dimensions of the storage container are 7.75’W x 7.5’H x 12’L and it provides 620 cubic feet of packing room.
Typically holds 3-4 rooms of furniture
About the size of a 10’ x 15’ storage room
Holds up to 6,000 lbs of contents
7.75’W x 7.5’H x 16’L 830 cubic feet
All-steel & weatherproof
Barn-style doors
1-800-PACK-RAT’s 16-foot container is the most popular choice for on-site storage, local moving, and long-distance moving. Each 16-foot container holds about 3-4 rooms of furniture and is roughly the same size as a 10’ x 15’ storage room. Due to the quality of the construction, our 16-foot container can hold up to 6,000 lbs. worth of contents, which is more than most of our competitors! The outside dimensions of the storage container are roughly 7.75’W x 7.5’H x 16’L and it provides 830 cubic feet of packing room.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Space Calculator and Packing Our Containers
Does the weight of the stuff I am moving matter?
Yes, there is a weight limit on each of our containers. We’ve created a for you to estimate how much your belongings weigh. Download and fill out the weight estimator tool to determine your weight. Compare this to the container chart above to ensure your furniture and boxes are less than the weight limit.
How do you calculate storage unit size?
You can calculate the size of a portable storage unit in either square feet or cubic feet. To calculate square feet, multiply the length of the storage unit by its width. To calculate cubic feet, multiply the length by width by height. Square footage measures the area of a space, while cubic feet measure the volume. In most cases, it’s recommended to measure in cubic feet, as this takes the height of the storage unit into consideration.
At 1-800-PACK-RAT, our storage unit size calculator can help you determine which portable storage unit size best fits your needs.
How do you calculate your needed moving & storage container size?
Calculating your needed storage container size is easy, but it does take a lot of work. Below are a few steps to follow to make sure you get it right:
1. Create an Inventory
The first step is to grab a pen and paper or take notes on your phone or in a spreadsheet. Then, look around and see how many items you plan on moving, both big and small. You can place smaller items in packing boxes and identify large items like couches, mattresses, entertainment systems, tables, bookshelves, exercise equipment, and more separately.
2. Calculate the Size of Your Belongings
To make sure that you find a storage unit that fits everything you need it to, you’ll need to measure your belongings. You can calculate either square footage or cubic footage as we outlined above. If you’re not planning on using your storage unit to the fullest and packing it all the way to the top, square footage should be all you need. However, if you plan on stacking boxes and furniture, it’s always better to calculate by cubic footage.
To measure your boxes, follow the same formula as calculating your storage unit size by multiplying the length by width by height for cubic footage. Once you have that number for one box, multiply that final number by the number of boxes of the same size.
Measuring your furniture can be a bit trickier, so make sure that you get some help so that you get the most accurate results. You’ll measure everything from your couch to your elliptical the same way you measured your boxes.
3. Add the Sizes of Each Item
Now that you’ve calculated how much space you need for each individual item, it’s time to add up all of your numbers to see the number of square or cubic feet that you’ll need for a storage unit.
If you don’t want to measure everything one by one, you can stack all of your belongings in one pile and measure the stack for an estimate of how much space you’ll need.
Pro Tip: Measuring everything in your home takes time and can be exhausting on top of all of the other tasks you’re responsible for when moving. Instead of spending hours with a measuring tape, ruler, or yardstick, try our storage space calculator. Our storage calculator can help you determine the right amount of space you’ll need with absolutely zero hassle.
How much space do I need for a local move?
When moving locally, you may be wondering how much space is necessary. With a local move, proximity allows you to have greater access to your belongings and fewer logistics to worry about, meaning you might not need as much space compared to a cross-country move. For example, with a local move, making multiple trips can be done in a single day, whereas that’s not always an option for a long-distance move.
If minimizing your time on the road is a priority, a portable storage container can help. At 1-800-PACK-RAT, we’ll deliver one of our storage containers straight to your home, allowing you to pack at your own pace and stick to your schedule. Whenever you’re ready for moving day, our team will pick up your storage container and bring it to its new location, where you can unpack on your own terms. Best part is, if something happens during your closing process and you have to wait or are not quite ready to move everything in, you can keep your container for as long as you need it on-site. This eliminates the need to rent a traditional storage unit at a storage area that you have to make multiple trips back and forth to store your stuff at and cuts the need to rent a moving truck for a day or two to complete the task. 1-800-PACK-RAT simplifies the entire local moving process by bringing everything to you on your terms.
Not sure about how much space you need for a move? Use our free storage calculator today, then contact us for a free quote.
How much space do I need to move across the country?
How much space you need to move across the country or from one state to the next will ultimately depend on a few factors: the size, number, and shape of the items you’re moving, accessibility of your belongings, and the amount of outdoor space you have in your driveway or yard - or our ability to place your container(s) in an area that makes it easier for you to pack and load your stuff.
Some people will choose to bring as little of their stuff as possible, either selling or donating many of their belongings, with the plan to purchase new items such as couches, beds, and more once they’ve moved into the new home. In that case, you might not need as many portable moving units or as big of a specific size of container.
Others will opt to bring everything they own in an effort to save money or just keep what they have. It’s always best to use a storage calculator to determine the best portable storage unit size to get all of your belongings to your new home with as little hassle as possible. Just know that if you underestimate how many containers you need or need another larger sized container to compliment your needs and move, just give us a call and we will be happy to assist you!
What is the best way to pack my portable container?
Much of this will depend on the types of contents you have in your container. If you have a large number of boxes, it is always best to put the heaviest and sturdiest boxes on the bottom and stack lighter and lighter as you go up. Furniture pieces are a bit of a different story as they can sometimes fit together in different ways to maximize space usage, but you will need to secure them and protect them with padding like furniture pads, towels, etc., to protect against any minor shifting that may occur.
To get a better idea of how to best pack your container, take a look at our guide on how to pack your container so you can use the entirety of your 1-800-PACK-RAT portable moving and storage unit to it's fullest extent while making it easier to access your stuff while loading and unloading with ease.
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