Ever looked around your home and wondered, How on earth do I figure out what size container I need for all this stuff ?
You’re not alone. Choosing the right shipping container—whether you're moving across the country or across the globe—can feel confusing fast.
But the truth is, it’s way simpler than it seems. Once you know how to estimate your home’s volume, the best option (20ft vs. 40ft, FTL vs. LTL, FCL vs. LCL) becomes surprisingly clear.
In this guide, we’ll walk through easy, no-stress methods to calculate your cubic footage and match it with the perfect container for your move.
Let’s break it all down so you can plan with confidence
How to Quickly Estimate Your Home's Volume
Before you can choose a container, you need a rough idea of how much "stuff" you actually have.
Your household goods are measured in cubic feet (cu. ft.). While a professional mover will do a detailed inventory, you can get a surprisingly accurate estimate right now.
Here are two simple methods to find your volume:
Method 1: The Quick-Look "Rule of Thumb"
This is the fastest way to see if you need a 20ft or 40ft container.
- Studio / 1-Bedroom Home: 300 - 600 cu. ft.
- 2-Bedroom Home: 750 - 1,200 cu. ft.
- 3-Bedroom Home: 1,200 - 1,800 cu. ft.
- 4-Bedroom Home (or 3-Bed + Garage): 1,800 - 2,500+ cu. Ft.
Key Takeaway: If your home is 3 bedrooms or less (under 1,800 cu. ft.), you will likely fit into a 20-foot container. If you are over that, you will need to start thinking about a 40-foot container.
Method 2: The "150 Cubic Feet" Rule
This method is slightly more accurate and is what many professional movers use for a quick estimate.
The Rule: Expect that each standard room in your home will take up approximately 150 cubic feet of space. (Note: A kitchen or garage is often counted as 2-3 rooms' worth of "stuff").
Here's how to use it:
- Count your rooms (e.g., 3 bedrooms + 1 living room + 1 dining room = 5 rooms).
- Estimate high-volume rooms (Kitchen = 2 rooms, packed Garage = 3 rooms).
- Add them up and multiply.
Example Calculation:
- 3 Bedrooms = 3
- 1 Living Room = 1
- 1 Dining Room = 1
- 1 Kitchen = 2
- Total "Rooms" = 7
- Calculation: 7 x 150 cu. ft. = 1,050 cubic feet
- With this 1,050 cu. ft. estimate, you can now confidently shop for containers that can hold this volume.
Domestic Moves (FTL vs. LTL)
When shipping your household goods within the country, you are using the domestic freight network.
This gives you two powerful options based on the size of your move: Full Truckload (FTL) or Less-than-Truckload (LTL).
FTL (Full Truckload): Your Private, Dedicated Truck
Think of FTL as renting your own "ultimate container" on wheels.
What it is: You are reserving an entire semi-truck trailer (typically 28, 48, or 53 feet long) exclusively for your move.
The truck's space is 100% yours, and it will drive directly from your origin to your destination.
Best for:
- Large moves: The contents of a 3-5+ bedroom home.
- Speed: FTL is the fastest ground shipping method, as there are no other stops.
- Security: Your goods are loaded once and unloaded once, dramatically reducing the risk of damage.
If you have a large home or need your items to arrive as quickly and safely as possible, FTL is the premier solution.
LTL (Less-than-Truckload): The Shared-Space Solution
If you don't have enough to fill an entire truck, LTL is the most efficient and cost-effective solution.
What it is: Your household goods are professionally packed onto pallets or into wooden crates (crating) and loaded onto a truck, sharing space with goods from other customers. You only pay for the exact space you use.
Best for:
- Small moves: A studio, one-bedroom, or small two-bedroom apartment.
- Partial moves: Shipping just a few large items (like a sofa, mattresses, or appliances).
- Budget-conscious moves: It's the most economical way to ship items long-distance if you don't require the speed of a dedicated truck.
Key Takeaway: Choose FTL for large moves (3+ bedrooms) where speed and security are your top priority. Choose LTL for smaller moves (1-2 bedrooms) or partial shipments where cost-effectiveness is the main goal.
ISO Shipping Containers (Best for International Moves)
When you move to another country, your goods will travel by ocean freight. This requires an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) container.
These are the universally recognized, heavy-duty steel containers built to withstand a long journey on a cargo ship.
Your choice is almost always between two standard sizes: 20-foot or 40-foot.
The 20-foot Container (20' GP)
The 20-foot "General Purpose" (GP) container is the standard for small-to-average household moves.
Usable Volume: Approximately 1,170 cubic feet.
Best for:
- The contents of a 1-3 bedroom home.
- A 1-2 bedroom home plus a standard-sized car.
- The Rule of Thumb: Look back at your volume estimate from the first step. If your total is under 1,100 cubic feet, this is your container. It's the most common and often most cost-effective solution for a small family.
The 40-foot Container (40' GP or 40' HC)
The 40-foot container is the solution for larger homes with more furniture, or for those who want to ship a car alongside a full household.
Usable Volume: Approximately 2,390 cubic feet (double the 20-foot).
Best for:
- The contents of a 3-5+ bedroom home.
- A 3-bedroom home plus a car and outdoor items.
- Any move over 1,200 cubic feet.
Expert Tip: What is a "High Cube" (HC) Container? You will often see an option for a "40-foot HC" or "High Cube." This container has the same length and width as a 40-foot GP but is one foot taller. This provides extra (and valuable) cubic footage for just a small increase in price. If you have very tall furniture or are trying to maximize your volume, always ask for a 40-foot HC.
Key Takeaway: The choice is a simple matter of volume. A 20-foot container holds about 1,170 cu. ft., while a 40-foot holds about 2,390 cu. ft. Use the estimate you calculated earlier to see which category you fall into.
FCL vs. LCL: A Key Decision for International Moves
Once you know whether you're shipping internationally, you have one more critical decision that impacts your cost and timeline: FCL or LCL.
This choice is not about the size of the container, but about how you pay for it.
FCL (Full Container Load)
FCL means you are paying for the exclusive use of one full container (either a 20ft or 40ft). Even if you only fill it 75% full, the entire container is yours.
How it works: The container is brought to your home, sealed in your presence, and then opened only by you (or your customs agent) at the destination.
Best for:
- Most household moves. Anyone with the contents of a 1-bedroom apartment or more.
- Security: This is the most secure shipping method. Your goods are never co-mingled or handled during transit.
- Speed: FCL is much faster. Your container goes directly to the port and onto the ship. It isn't warehoused while waiting for other shipments.
LCL (Less-than-Container Load)
LCL, also known as "groupage," means you share space in a container with other people's goods.
How it works: Your belongings (which must be professionally crated or palletized) are taken to a warehouse and combined with other LCL shipments to fill a container. You only pay for the specific volume (in cubic feet) that you use.
Best for:
- Very small moves: Shipping just a few boxes, a single piece of furniture, or the contents of a dorm room.
- Budget-critical moves: It can be cheaper if your volume is very low (e.g., under 200 cu. ft.).
Key Takeaway and Our Recommendation:
Always choose FCL (a private 20ft container) if you are moving the contents of a 1-bedroom apartment or more.
While LCL seems cheaper for small shipments, the cost per cubic foot is much higher.
Often, once your volume reaches 200-300 cu. ft., it becomes more economical and significantly safer to get your own 20ft FCL container.
The security, speed, and peace of mind of FCL are almost always the better choice for a household move.
Conclusion
Choosing the right container for your household move can feel like the most daunting part of the process, but it doesn't have to be.
As we've shown, the ultimate container is simply the one that perfectly matches your specific needs. By first estimating your home's volume, you can confidently decide between the efficiency of LTL and the dedicated speed of FTL for a domestic move.
If you're heading overseas, you now know whether your belongings call for a 20-foot or a 40-foot container.
Armed with this knowledge, you can move forward not with confusion, but with the clarity and confidence needed to make your move a success.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I estimate the volume of my household goods? You can estimate your volume using the quick room method (150 cu. ft. per room) or a general rule of thumb based on your home size.
2. Is a 20-foot container big enough for a 2- or 3-bedroom home? A 20ft container typically fits up to 1,170 cu. ft., which works for most 1–3 bedroom homes depending on how much furniture you have.
3. What’s the difference between FTL and LTL shipping for domestic moves? FTL gives you an entire truck to yourself—faster and more secure. LTL is shared space and more budget-friendly for smaller shipments.
4. When should I use FCL vs. LCL for international moves? FCL is best for most home moves (1-bedroom and above). LCL is ideal only for very small shipments under 200–300 cu. ft.
5. How much does it cost to ship a household overseas? Costs depend on volume, container type, shipping route, and service level. A 20ft container is usually the most cost-efficient for small families.