Storage Unit Size Calculator
Build a quick room-by-room checklist of what you're storing and get a recommended unit size, with a 20% buffer built in so you're not wedging the last few boxes in sideways.
How this calculator works
This uses the same room-by-room checklist and average cubic footage table as the moving truck calculator, matched instead against standard storage unit capacities with a larger buffer, since long-term storage needs more slack for stacking and aisle space than a one-time truck load:
estimated_cuft = sum(room-type cubic footage)
unit sizes: 5×5 (~200 cuft), 5×10 (~450 cuft), 10×10 (~900 cuft),
10×15 (~1350 cuft), 10×20 (~1800 cuft), 10×30 (~2700 cuft)
recommend smallest unit ≥ estimated_cuft × 1.2The per-room cubic footage figures below are general averages, not a measurement of your specific belongings — treat the result as a solid starting point, and size up if you know you have more than average or plan to store large furniture rather than moving it.
Average cubic footage by room
| Room type | Approx. cu ft |
|---|---|
| Bedroom | 150 |
| Living room | 250 |
| Dining room | 100 |
| Kitchen | 150 |
| Bathroom | 30 |
| Home office | 80 |
| Garage | 200 |
| Storage / misc | 80 |
Worked example
A 2 bedroom apartment: 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 dining room, 1 kitchen, 1 bathroom:
- Volume: (2 × 150) + 250 + 100 + 150 + 30 = 830 cu ft.
- With buffer: 830 × 1.2 ≈ 996 cu ft.
- Smallest unit at or above that: 10×10's 900 cu ft falls short, so the recommendation is 10×15 (~1,350 cu ft).
Storage unit sizes at a glance
| Unit | Approx. capacity | Rough fit |
|---|---|---|
| 5×5 | ~200 cu ft | Closet-sized, seasonal boxes |
| 5×10 | ~450 cu ft | Studio to small 1 bedroom |
| 10×10 | ~900 cu ft | 1 to small 2 bedroom, 1-car garage |
| 10×15 | ~1,350 cu ft | 2 to 3 bedroom |
| 10×20 | ~1,800 cu ft | 3 to 4 bedroom, 2-car garage |
| 10×30 | ~2,700 cu ft | Large home, vehicle storage |
Building your checklist
- One entry per room type — use the quantity field for multiples, like 2 bedrooms or 2 bathrooms.
- Long-term storage — leave some room for aisle space to reach items in the back; the 20% buffer helps but a very full unit is hard to access.
- Garage contents — see the FAQ below for garage-specific guidance, since garages vary more than other room types.
- When in doubt, size up — a bigger unit you don't quite fill is a much smaller problem than one you can't fit everything into.
Frequently asked questions
What actually fits in a 10×10 storage unit?
At roughly 900 cubic feet, a 10×10 commonly holds a small 2 to 3 bedroom home's worth of belongings — a bedroom set, a sofa, a dining table and chairs, several dozen boxes, and a few appliances. Often compared to a 1-car garage's worth of items.
Climate-controlled vs standard — when does it matter?
Climate-controlled is worth it for wood furniture, electronics, photos, instruments, leather and artwork. Standard units are generally fine for plastic totes, metal tools, and other weather-hardy items.
What are the considerations for drive-up access?
Drive-up units let you pull a vehicle straight to the door, skipping elevators and carts — great for frequent access. They're usually ground floor only and can cost slightly more or offer less climate-control availability than interior units.
How do I estimate storage for a garage's worth of items specifically?
A typical single-car garage runs around 150 to 250 cubic feet, fitting a 5×10 to 10×10 unit. A garage used as a workshop or with large equipment can run considerably higher and may need sizing up.