How to estimate your move volume
Most people have no idea how much their belongings weigh or how much space they take up — until moving day, when the truck turns out to be too small. Volume (measured in cubic metres, or m³) is the key number: it determines what truck size you need and drives the cost of interstate or international moves.
The calculator above works room by room. For each room, you can set the fill level — light, medium, or packed — which adjusts the volume estimate based on how densely the room is furnished. Adding extra items at the bottom covers bulky things that don't fit neatly into a room category (pianos, pool tables, motorbikes).
Volume estimates by home size
| Home size | Typical volume | Recommended truck | Boxes needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / bedsit | 8–12 m³ | Small van | 50–70 boxes |
| 1 bedroom | 12–20 m³ | 3-tonne truck | 70–100 boxes |
| 2 bedrooms | 20–30 m³ | 4.5-tonne truck | 100–140 boxes |
| 3 bedrooms | 35–50 m³ | 6-tonne truck | 140–200 boxes |
| 4+ bedrooms / house | 50–70 m³ | 8-tonne truck | 200–280 boxes |
Choosing the right truck size
Always add a 10–15% buffer to your calculated volume when selecting a truck. Furniture rarely packs perfectly — odd shapes, fragile items that can't be stacked, and last-minute additions all eat into space. Running two trips because the truck was too small will cost you more in time and fuel than upgrading to the next size up.
Australian truck hire size guide (2026)
| Truck | Capacity | Best for | Approx. hire rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small van | ~6 m³ | Studio, single room | $65–$80/hr |
| 3-tonne truck | ~15 m³ | 1–2 bedroom apartment | $90–$110/hr |
| 4.5-tonne truck | ~25 m³ | 2–3 bedroom home | $110–$130/hr |
| 6-tonne truck | ~35 m³ | 3–4 bedroom home | $125–$145/hr |
| 8-tonne truck | ~50 m³ | 4–5 bedroom home | $145–$165/hr |
| Semi-trailer | ~80 m³ | Large home / office relocation | $195–$220/hr |
How to reduce your move volume
Every cubic metre you eliminate saves money — especially on interstate moves, where removalists price by volume. Before you start packing, work through each room and be ruthless:
- Sell furniture that won't suit the new place. Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are fast for large items.
- Donate to charity — Salvos, Vinnies, and similar organisations often do free pick-ups for furniture in good condition.
- Bin the accumulated stuff — that box of cords, the broken appliances in the garage, anything you haven't touched in two years.
- Digitise documents — scan and shred years of paper files before you move rather than carting them to the new address.
- Separate storage from moving — items you're not sure about can go into short-term storage rather than moving twice.