If you've gotten a moving quote recently, you may have noticed some companies ask about weight while others ask about cubic footage. This isn't just a measurement preference — it's the difference between a pricing model that protects you and one that doesn't.
What Is Cubic Footage?
Cubic footage (cu ft) is a measure of volume — length × width × height. In moving, it refers to the total volume of space your belongings take up in a moving truck. A full 26-foot moving truck holds approximately 1,780 cubic feet. A typical 2-bedroom apartment runs around 500–700 cubic feet of furniture and boxes.
Why Volume Matters More Than Weight
Weight can't be measured until after the truck is loaded. Volume can be measured before. This is why volume-based moving estimates can be truly binding — the price is calculated from a number that's known in advance — while weight-based estimates are always approximations that can be revised upward after loading.
Weight is also easily manipulated. A dishonest mover can take a longer route to a weigh station, add unauthorized items to your load, or simply argue with your count. Cubic footage measured via an item-by-item inventory has none of these vulnerabilities.
How Cubic Footage Is Calculated
The most accurate method is an item-by-item inventory. Every piece of furniture, every box, every appliance has an established cubic footage value. Add them up and you have your total volume. Our online inventory calculator does this automatically — you add items, it calculates volume in real time.
A rough rule of thumb: multiply your bedroom count by 300 for a starting estimate. A 2-bedroom = ~600 cu ft. But this is a starting point, not a binding number. Actual volume varies significantly based on how much furniture you have and whether you're including storage areas.
Common Item Volumes
| Item | Approx. Cu Ft |
|---|---|
| King bed frame + mattress | 80–90 cu ft |
| Queen bed frame + mattress | 55–65 cu ft |
| 3-seat sofa | 50–70 cu ft |
| Dining table (6-seat) | 40–55 cu ft |
| Refrigerator (standard) | 40–50 cu ft |
| Washer or dryer | 25–30 cu ft |
| Medium box (3.0 cu ft) | 3 cu ft |
| Large box (4.5 cu ft) | 4.5 cu ft |