Storage Unit Estimator
Estimate storage unit size needed
Quick Facts
- •5×5: like a closet (~200 cu ft)
- •10×10: one-bedroom apartment (~800 cu ft)
- •10×20: two-bedroom house (~1,600 cu ft)
Choosing a Storage Unit Size
Storage units range from 5×5 (closet-sized, 200 cu ft) to 10×30 (large garage, 2,400 cu ft). A 10×10 unit fits the contents of a one-bedroom apartment. A 10×20 fits a two-to-three-bedroom home. Stack items efficiently to maximize vertical space.
Understanding the storage unit estimator
Storage units are priced by floor area but you pay for volume, since most units are 8 to 10 feet tall. Estimating well means counting what you own in terms of rooms and large items rather than boxes, because furniture sets the footprint and boxes fill the gaps. Renting one size too large is far cheaper than making two trips or renting a second unit.
Worked examples
Sizing a unit for a one bedroom apartment
- 1Contents: a queen bed, a sofa, a dresser, a dining set and about 25 boxes.
- 2A 5 by 10 ft unit holds a bedroom of furniture plus boxes, about 400 cubic feet.
- 3Adding a sofa and dining set pushes past that footprint.
- 4Step up to 10 by 10 ft, which is 100 sq ft and about 800 cubic feet.
A 10 by 10 ft unit, roughly the size of half a single car garage.
Checking whether contents fit by volume
- 1Sofa about 60 cubic feet, queen mattress and base about 45, dresser 25, dining table and 4 chairs 60.
- 2Furniture total: 190 cubic feet.
- 325 medium boxes at 3 cubic feet each: 75 cubic feet.
- 4Total 265 cubic feet, but usable capacity is around 70 percent after aisles: 265 ÷ 0.7 = 379 cubic feet needed.
379 cubic feet of usable space, which a 5 by 10 ft unit at 8 ft high just covers at 400 cubic feet.
Unit sizes and what they hold
| Unit | Area | Rough equivalent | Typical contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 x 5 ft | 25 sq ft | Small closet | Boxes, seasonal items, a mattress set |
| 5 x 10 ft | 50 sq ft | Walk-in closet | Studio apartment or one bedroom of furniture |
| 10 x 10 ft | 100 sq ft | Half a garage | One to two bedroom apartment |
| 10 x 15 ft | 150 sq ft | Large bedroom | Two to three bedroom house, no appliances |
| 10 x 20 ft | 200 sq ft | Single car garage | Three to four bedroom house or a vehicle |
| 10 x 30 ft | 300 sq ft | Two car garage | Five bedroom house or commercial stock |
Volume of common items
| Item | Cubic feet |
|---|---|
| Small box | 1.5 |
| Medium box | 3.0 |
| Large box | 4.5 |
| Queen mattress and base | 45 |
| Three seat sofa | 60 |
| Refrigerator | 40 |
| Washer or dryer | 22 |
| Dining table with 4 chairs | 60 |
| Bicycle | 12 |
Practical tips
- •Stack to the ceiling with heavy boxes at the bottom and label every side you can see from the aisle.
- •Leave a walkway down the centre so you can reach the back without unloading the front.
- •Store mattresses flat or fully supported upright. Leaning them against a wall for months warps the springs.
- •Climate control is worth it for wood furniture, electronics, photographs and anything leather.
Frequently asked questions
More Home & Setup Fit Tools
This calculator is for educational and reference purposes only. Always verify critical calculations independently.