Moving volume calculator
Count your furniture and boxes, get a cubic-metre figure, and see how that volume would ship to China. Every per-item volume it uses is published below.
Cubic metres are the unit every international mover prices from, and the figure most people have no way to estimate. Count your items below and the calculator converts them, using the volumes published underneath it.
Treat the result as a planning figure accurate to within a few cubic metres, not a measurement. It is enough to tell you which service applies, to sense-check a quote, and to have a useful conversation with a surveyor.
Add up your shipment
This calculator needs JavaScript. The volume of every item it uses is published in the inventory table below, so you can add the figures up by hand.
Work through the rooms you are shipping. This is the same inventory our surveyors use, so the total you get here is the figure we will be discussing.
Utility room
Kitchen
Dining room
Living room
Family room
Study or playroom
Main bedroom
Bedroom 2
Bedroom 3
Bedroom 4
Hall and landing
Garage and workshop
Garden and outdoor
Figures are planning volumes for packed items, not measurements of your own belongings. A surveyor confirms the volume before any rate is issued.
Send this volume for a quoteHow to use the number you just got
- Under 2 m³ — ship as excess baggage. Watch the minimum charge and fill the space you are paying for.
- 2 to 25 m³ — a part load in a shared container will almost certainly be cheapest.
- Around 25 m³ — genuinely borderline. Ask for both a part load and a 20ft container price; the answer moves with freight rates.
- Above 33 m³ — you are into container territory, and a container is both cheaper per cubic metre and faster.
The inventory this site prices from
Every estimate on this site is built from the 190 items below — the same survey inventory our own crews use. We publish it in full, with the volume and the packing method for each item, so you can check our arithmetic and compare quotes from different movers on the same basis. A quote for 18 m³ and a quote for 22 m³ are not comparable if the two firms measured differently.
| Item | m³ | cu ft | Packed as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility room | |||
| Laundry basket | 0.15 | 5.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Tumble dryer | 0.50 | 17.7 | Export Wrapping |
| Clothes airer | 0.05 | 1.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Mops and brooms | 0.30 | 10.6 | Export Wrapping |
| Washing machine | 0.40 | 14.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Kitchen | |||
| Kitchen chair | 0.15 | 5.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Kitchen bin | 0.10 | 3.5 | Dishpack Carton |
| Microwave | 0.15 | 5.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Fridge freezer | 1.00 | 35.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Stool | 0.10 | 3.5 | Export Wrapping |
| Kitchen table | 0.70 | 24.7 | Export Wrapping |
| Dishwasher | 0.40 | 14.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Dining room | |||
| Bookcase | 0.80 | 28.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Dining chair | 0.14 | 4.9 | Export Wrapping |
| China cabinet | 0.75 | 26.5 | Export Wrapping |
| Picture or framed print | 0.09 | 3.2 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Rug | 0.25 | 8.8 | Couch Bag |
| Sideboard | 0.85 | 30.0 | Export Wrapping |
| Dining table | 0.70 | 24.7 | Export Wrapping |
| Tea trolley | 0.25 | 8.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Living room | |||
| Sofa, 2-seat | 1.20 | 42.4 | Couch Bag |
| Sofa, 3-seat | 1.40 | 49.4 | Couch Bag |
| Bookcase | 0.80 | 28.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Blanket box or chest | 0.28 | 9.9 | Export Wrapping |
| China cabinet | 0.75 | 26.5 | Export Wrapping |
| Coffee table | 0.28 | 9.9 | Export Wrapping |
| Desk | 0.65 | 23.0 | Export Wrapping |
| Armchair | 0.50 | 17.7 | Couch Bag |
| Footstool | 0.12 | 4.2 | Export Wrapping |
| Portable heater | 0.10 | 3.5 | Export Wrapping |
| Mirror | 0.05 | 1.8 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Nest of tables | 0.15 | 5.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Piano | 1.50 | 53.0 | Export Wrapping |
| Picture or framed print | 0.20 | 7.1 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Potted plants | 0.20 | 7.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Rug | 0.25 | 8.8 | Couch Bag |
| Floor lamp | 0.20 | 7.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Hi-fi or stereo | 0.25 | 8.8 | DP Carton/Fragile |
| Hi-fi cabinet | 0.25 | 8.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Television | 0.40 | 14.1 | FS Television Ctn >55 |
| Television cabinet | 0.35 | 12.4 | Export Wrapping |
| DVD or media player | 0.10 | 3.5 | Book Carton |
| Wall unit | 1.30 | 45.9 | Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Family room | |||
| Sofa, 2-seat | 1.20 | 42.4 | Couch Bag |
| Sofa, 3-seat | 1.40 | 49.4 | Couch Bag |
| Bookcase | 0.70 | 24.7 | Export Wrapping |
| CD rack | 0.08 | 2.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Desktop computer | 0.10 | 3.5 | DP Carton/Fragile |
| Computer desk | 0.45 | 15.9 | Export Wrapping |
| DVD rack | 0.08 | 2.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Desk | 0.65 | 23.0 | Export Wrapping |
| Armchair | 0.50 | 17.7 | Couch Bag |
| Mirror | 0.05 | 1.8 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Piano | 1.50 | 53.0 | Export Wrapping |
| Picture or framed print | 0.09 | 3.2 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Printer | 0.14 | 4.9 | DP Carton/Fragile |
| Rug | 0.20 | 7.1 | Couch Bag |
| Scanner | 0.20 | 7.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Standard lamp | 0.20 | 7.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Hi-fi or stereo | 0.25 | 8.8 | DP Carton/Fragile |
| Hi-fi cabinet | 0.25 | 8.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Television | 0.40 | 14.1 | FS Television Ctn >55 |
| Television cabinet | 0.35 | 12.4 | Export Wrapping |
| DVD or media player | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Study or playroom | |||
| Small chest of drawers | 0.25 | 8.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Bookcase | 0.70 | 24.7 | Export Wrapping |
| Desk chair | 0.25 | 8.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Desktop computer | 0.14 | 4.9 | DP Carton/Fragile |
| Computer desk | 0.45 | 15.9 | Export Wrapping |
| Desk | 0.65 | 23.0 | Export Wrapping |
| Filing cabinet, 2 drawer | 0.15 | 5.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Filing cabinet, 3 drawer | 0.20 | 7.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Filing cabinet, 4 drawer | 0.35 | 12.4 | Export Wrapping |
| Picture or framed print | 0.09 | 3.2 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Main bedroom | |||
| Bed, single | 0.75 | 26.5 | Single Mattress bag |
| Bed, double | 1.20 | 42.4 | Queen Mattress bag |
| Bed, king | 1.75 | 61.8 | Queen Mattress bag |
| Bed, super king | 2.00 | 70.6 | S King Mattress bag, Single Mattress bag |
| Bedside cabinet | 0.15 | 5.3 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Bookcase | 0.70 | 24.7 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Bedroom chair | 0.25 | 8.8 | Couch Bag |
| Chest of drawers | 0.40 | 14.1 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Desk | 0.65 | 23.0 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Doll's house | 0.25 | 8.8 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Dressing table | 0.75 | 26.5 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Blanket box | 0.28 | 9.9 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Mirror | 0.05 | 1.8 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Picture or framed print | 0.09 | 3.2 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Bedroom 2 | |||
| Bed, single | 0.75 | 26.5 | Single Mattress bag |
| Bed, double | 1.20 | 42.4 | Queen Mattress bag |
| Bed, king | 1.75 | 61.8 | Queen Mattress bag |
| Bed, super king | 2.00 | 70.6 | S King Mattress bag, Single Mattress bag |
| Bedside cabinet | 0.15 | 5.3 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Bookcase | 0.70 | 24.7 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Bedroom chair | 0.25 | 8.8 | Couch Bag |
| Chest of drawers | 0.40 | 14.1 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Desk | 0.65 | 23.0 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Doll's house | 0.25 | 8.8 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Dressing table | 0.75 | 26.5 | Export Wrapping |
| Blanket box | 0.28 | 9.9 | Export Wrapping |
| Mirror | 0.05 | 1.8 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Picture or framed print | 0.09 | 3.2 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Bedroom 3 | |||
| Bed, single | 0.75 | 26.5 | Single Mattress bag |
| Bed, double | 1.20 | 42.4 | Queen Mattress bag |
| Bed, king | 1.75 | 61.8 | Queen Mattress bag |
| Bed, super king | 2.00 | 70.6 | S King Mattress bag, Single Mattress bag |
| Bedside cabinet | 0.15 | 5.3 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Bookcase | 0.70 | 24.7 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Bedroom chair | 0.25 | 8.8 | Couch Bag |
| Chest of drawers | 0.40 | 14.1 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Desk | 0.65 | 23.0 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Doll's house | 0.25 | 8.8 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Dressing table | 0.75 | 26.5 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Blanket box | 0.28 | 9.9 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Mirror | 0.05 | 1.8 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Picture or framed print | 0.09 | 3.2 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Bedroom 4 | |||
| Bed, single | 0.75 | 26.5 | Single Mattress bag |
| Bed, double | 1.20 | 42.4 | Queen Mattress bag |
| Bed, king | 1.75 | 61.8 | Queen Mattress bag |
| Bed, super king | 2.00 | 70.6 | S King Mattress bag, Single Mattress bag |
| Bedside cabinet | 0.15 | 5.3 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Bookcase | 0.70 | 24.7 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Bedroom chair | 0.25 | 8.8 | Couch Bag |
| Chest of drawers | 0.40 | 14.1 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Desk | 0.65 | 23.0 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Doll's house | 0.25 | 8.8 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Dressing table | 0.75 | 26.5 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Blanket box | 0.28 | 9.9 | Blanket Wrapping |
| Mirror | 0.05 | 1.8 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Picture or framed print | 0.09 | 3.2 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Hall and landing | |||
| Bookcase | 0.70 | 24.7 | Export Wrapping |
| Hall chair | 0.25 | 8.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Laundry basket | 0.15 | 5.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Display cabinet | 1.00 | 35.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Coat or hat stand | 0.25 | 8.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Hall table | 0.30 | 10.6 | Export Wrapping |
| Mirror | 0.05 | 1.8 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Picture or framed print | 0.09 | 3.2 | Picture Carton, Export Wrapping |
| Rug | 0.25 | 8.8 | Couch Bag |
| Console table | 0.40 | 14.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Garage and workshop | |||
| Bench | 0.50 | 17.7 | Export Wrapping |
| Bicycle | 0.70 | 24.7 | Export Wrapping |
| Air compressor | 0.50 | 17.7 | Export Wrapping |
| Cupboard | 1.00 | 35.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Garden tools | 0.25 | 8.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Car jack | 0.20 | 7.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Ladder | 0.35 | 12.4 | Export Wrapping |
| Lawn mower | 0.80 | 28.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Shelving unit | 1.00 | 35.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Toolbox | 0.25 | 8.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Trunk | 0.35 | 12.4 | Export Wrapping |
| Wheelbarrow | 0.80 | 28.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Workbench | 0.50 | 17.7 | Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Garden and outdoor | |||
| Barbecue | 0.70 | 24.7 | Export Wrapping |
| Bird bath | 0.30 | 10.6 | Export Wrapping |
| Dog kennel | 1.00 | 35.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Garden ornament | 0.10 | 3.5 | Export Wrapping |
| Golf bag | 0.25 | 8.8 | Export Wrapping |
| Garden chair | 0.20 | 7.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Garden table | 1.00 | 35.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Swing set | 1.50 | 53.0 | Export Wrapping |
| Trampoline | 2.00 | 70.6 | Export Wrapping |
| Parasol | 0.20 | 7.1 | Export Wrapping |
| Wheelbarrow | 0.80 | 28.3 | Export Wrapping |
| Small carton | 0.05 | 1.8 | Book Carton |
| Large carton | 0.14 | 4.9 | Dishpack Carton |
| Container | Usable volume | Roughly equivalent to |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard container | 33 m³ | Roughly a three-bedroom house |
| 40ft standard container | 67 m³ | Roughly a four to five-bedroom house |
| 40ft high-cube container | 76 m³ | Extra height for bulky but light loads |
Why we publish these figures
Because a volume estimate is the one part of a moving quote a customer can check, and almost nobody in this industry lets you. If one mover quotes for 18 m³ and another for 24 m³, the cheaper quote may simply be the one that guessed lower — and you find out at the survey, or worse, when the container is full and the price changes.
Take these figures to any mover you are considering. If their estimate differs substantially from what this calculator produces, that is a reasonable and answerable question, and how they answer it will tell you something useful.
What this calculator cannot do. It cannot see the awkward-shaped item in your loft, judge whether your sofa will come down the stairs, or know that the delivery address in Shanghai has a lift too small for a wardrobe. Those are survey questions, and they change quotes as much as volume does.
Send this volume for a written quote
Five short questions, and a move consultant replies with a written estimate.
Questions people ask before booking
How accurate is a volume calculator?
Ours is built to be accurate to within a few cubic metres for a normal household, which is enough to choose a service and sense-check a quote. It cannot account for access, awkward items or how densely a crew will pack. A survey does.
How many cubic metres is a three-bedroom house?
Commonly 25–35 m³ once packed, but the range across actual three-bedroom homes is wide enough that the room count is a poor guide. That is precisely why the calculator counts items instead.
How do I convert cubic metres to cubic feet?
One cubic metre is about 35.3 cubic feet. The calculator shows both, because UK movers quote in cubic metres and some international paperwork uses cubic feet.
Does packing add to the volume?
Yes. Wrapping, cartons and protective materials add bulk, which is why our figures are for packed items rather than the bare dimensions of the furniture. A bare-dimensions estimate will always come out too low.