The Moving Truck Size Calculator estimates the total volume of household items (in cubic feet) and recommends the smallest common moving truck size that will safely accommodate them.

How to Use the Moving Truck Size Calculator (Step-by-Step Guide)

What this tool does and why it helps

Moving requires decisions: what truck to rent, how many boxes, and whether your furniture will fit. This Moving Truck Size Calculator helps you quickly estimate the total volume of your belongings and matches that requirement against common truck capacities (10 ft, 16 ft, 26 ft). The interactive tool visualizes capacity with Plotly.js so you can compare your estimated volume to the trucks available and choose the most efficient option.

Key features at a glance

• Simple item presets (sofa, queen bed, dresser, dining table, standard box) plus a custom item option.
• Add quantities for each item and build a real inventory list.
• Instant calculation of total volume (cubic feet).
• Recommendation for the smallest truck that accommodates your total volume.
• Visual bar chart (Plotly.js) comparing your required volume to the capacities of common truck sizes.
• Responsive, white-background layout sized to fit between two WordPress sidebars (max width 700px).

Step-by-step: estimating correctly

1. Start with large items

Open the calculator in your WordPress page. Start by selecting large, bulky pieces: sofas, mattresses, dressers, and tables. These items take the most space, so adding them first gives a solid baseline for volume.

2. Add boxes and small items

Estimate how many standard boxes you’ll pack. The tool uses a typical box volume (3 cu ft) as a baseline — adjust with the custom item field if you use larger or smaller boxes. When in doubt, overestimate slightly: boxes rarely pack perfectly and oddly shaped items create wasted space.

3. Use custom items for unusual pieces

If you have unusually large furniture — pianos, oversized wardrobes, or irregular-shaped items — use the “Custom item” option and enter an estimated cubic-feet volume. If you don’t know cubic feet, measure (length × width × height in feet) and multiply to get the volume.

4. Add quantities and review list

If you have multiple identical items (for example, 20 boxes), set the quantity and click “Add to list.” The item list keeps a simple record you can remove or clear. The total updates automatically.

5. Read the recommendation and view the plot

The calculator displays total volume, the recommended truck type (10 ft, 16 ft, 26 ft), and percent of truck used. The Plotly.js chart shows each truck’s capacity side-by-side with your required volume so you can visually confirm the fit.

Interpreting results and choosing wisely

• If the total fills 80–100% of a truck’s capacity, you’ll likely fit your items but should account for loading inefficiencies. Consider the next size if you have fragile/odd items.
• If the total is well below capacity (e.g., <50%), you may be able to downsize or use a smaller truck/van for cost savings.
• Use the percent-used indicator as a quick risk-check: 65–80% is typically a safe, efficient range. Over 90% can risk damage or an inability to close the truck door once items aren’t packed tightly.

Tips for accuracy and practical moving advice

• Measure: If possible, measure bulky items before adding them as custom entries. Length × width × height (in feet) gives cubic feet.
• Account for protective materials: Sheets, padding, and dollies require space. Add a small buffer (5–10%) if you use a lot of padding.
• Think in layers: Tall, narrow items may allow vertical stacking; flat, odd shapes can prevent efficient packing. Conservative estimates prevent surprises.
• Inventory photos and notes: Use the item list as a checklist and capture photos; the list supports better planning and communication with movers.

Design and technical notes (for WordPress editors)

The tool uses Plotly.js (CDN) for charting and simple vanilla JavaScript so it’s easy to drop into a WordPress Custom HTML block. The container has a white background and a max-width of 700px, which fits most themes with sidebars. The code is intentionally self-contained and does not require external CSS files, making it simple to paste into the HTML editor or a page builder’s custom code area.

Why Plotly.js?

Plotly.js creates an interactive, clear visualization that helps users instantly compare their required volume to standard truck sizes. Visual confirmation is an important engagement signal — visitors stay longer and convert better when they understand results quickly. The chart is responsive and styled to match the white-background requirement.

Real-world scenarios (examples)

• Small apartment move: A couch, bed, a few dressers and ~30 boxes might total ~500–700 cu ft: the calculator will likely recommend a 16 ft truck.
• Large house move: Expect 700–1,100+ cu ft; the calculator often suggests a 26 ft truck for a three-bedroom home with many boxes and large furniture.
• Studio / minimal move: If the total is under 380 cu ft, a 10 ft truck or an economy van might be sufficient.

Final checklist before booking

1. Add all large items and boxes to the calculator.
2. Confirm percent-used and whether you need extra padding.
3. Re-run with a 5–10% buffer if you use more packing material.
4. Book the next size up if you have fragile, irregular, or hard-to-stack items.

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Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates only and should not be the sole basis for professional moving planning. Volumes are approximate; actual truck loading depends on item shapes, packing skill, and personal loading methods. Always confirm with your chosen truck rental company or moving professional before finalizing reservations.

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FAQ

Q: Is the calculator accurate for all items?
A: It offers a close estimate based on typical cubic-foot volumes. Unusual shapes or very heavy items may reduce usable space. Use custom item entries for better accuracy.

Q: Can I rely on percent used to know if I’ll fit?
A: Percent used is a guideline. If your percent used is near 100%, consider the next size to allow for packing inefficiencies and protective materials.

Q: How do I estimate custom item volume?
A: Measure length × width × height in feet to get cubic feet. If measurements are in inches, divide by 1,728 to convert cubic inches to cubic feet.

Q: Will this tool recommend international truck sizes?
A: The built-in recommendations reference common U.S. moving truck sizes (10 ft, 16 ft, 26 ft). You can adapt or extend the code for local truck sizes and capacities.

Q: Can I export or save my item list?
A: The provided version keeps the list in the page session. You can extend the script (or ask me to) to enable CSV export, localStorage persistence, or integration with backend storage.