5 min read

What is a cubic metre?

In this guide, we explain what a cubic metre is, how to calculate a cubic metre, and how many cubic metres you might need to book for your home move.
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What is a cubic metre?

If you’re gearing up to move, you may have heard the term ‘cubic metre’ bandied about. The term is often used to describe the space in a moving van, storage shed or shipping container. However, if you don’t know what a cubic metre is or how to calculate one, it can be difficult to know how many cubic metres of space you’ll need come moving day.

In this guide, we explain what a cubic metre is, how to calculate a cubic metre, and how many cubic metres you might need to book for your home move.

What is a cubic metre?

A cubic metre illustrationA cubic meter is a unit of volume representing the amount of space an object takes up in three dimensions, i.e., length, width, and height. One cubic metre is a volume of space that measures 1 metre in length, 1 metre in width and 1 metre in height.

The formula for calculating cubic metres is straightforward; just multiply an object's length, width, and height together. For example, if you have a room that is 4 metres long, 3 metres wide, and 2 metres tall, its volume would equal 4 x 3 x 2 = 24 cubic metres.

How is a cubic metre different to a square metre?

How is a cubic metre different to a square metre?While a square metre is a standard unit of measurement for an area using width and height, a cubic metre calculates an object's volume using width, height and length.

There are times when each equation will come in handy. However, if an object has three dimensions (ie. it’s not flat like an A4 piece of paper), you should use cubic metres to calculate the volume of the area it will take up.

Why do I need to know how to calculate a cubic metre?

Cubic metres are commonly used to measure the volume of large objects like shipping containers, storage tanks, and swimming pools. They are also used in construction to calculate the amount of concrete, soil, or other materials needed for a project. In industries such as agriculture and forestry, cubic metres are used to measure the volume of crops, wood, or other products.

Cubic metres are the best way to determine how much space your need in a moving truck or shipping container to fit your furniture and belongings during your home move.

How much stuff fits in a cubic metre?

One of the first questions professional movers ask before a move is ‘how many cubic metres do you need?’ Knowing how much space you need can be hard if you haven’t started packing your belongings yet.

As a basic rule of thumb, eight medium-sized moving boxes stack together to form a cubic metre. This visual representation makes calculating how many cubic metres of boxed items you’ll need is easy. For example, if your apartment can be packed into 32 medium-sized boxes you’ll need to book four cubic metres of space (32 boxes can be arranged in a 2x2x1 metre configuration).

Where this equation gets tricky is calculating the space of your furniture. Most household furniture is not shaped like a perfect cube. Additionally, most furniture can’t be stacked on each other as boxes can. How do you calculate the space of popular household items in that case?

How to calculate furniture as a cubic metre

How to calculate furniture as a cubic metreTo calculate the amount of space your furniture move will require in cubic metres, calculate three measurements of each item: the width, length and height. If an item is an odd shape, like a chair or circular coffee table, imagine a box around it and measure its greatest points.

For example, when measuring a couch, measure the back of the couch to find the length, measure the arm of the couch to find the width and measure from the floor to the top of the back to find the height, then multiply these numbers together. E.g 2 x 1 x 1 = 2 cubic metres.

To make moving even easier, we've developed a calculator that automatically calculates how much space your items will take up. Input your items below to find out how much space you'll need to book for your move.

Read more about moving your furniture

How much space do common household items take up in cubic metres?

Master Bedroom: King mattress, King bed frame, two bedside tables, chest of drawers, tallboy, large mirror = 3.60m3

Double Bedroom: Double mattress, bedside table, chair, chest of drawers, desk, large mirror = 2.70m3

Single Bedroom: Single mattress, single bed frame, bedside table, chest of drawers, dressing table = 2.25m3

Lounge: 3-seater couch, two lounge chairs, medium television, tv stereo cabinet, coffee table = 4.64m3

Kitchen: cupboard, cabinet, microwave, medium fridge, freezer, dishwasher = 4.5m3

Dining room: dining table, six chairs, bookcase, buffet = 4.70m3

Office: computer, desk, lamp, office chair, printer = 2.2m3

Hall: hat stand, five pictures, mirror, hall table, rug = 1.37m3

Garage: rubbish bin, garden tools, hose, tool cupboard, wheelbarrow, lawn mower, ladder, boogie boards, chilly bin, two bicycles, barbeque = 5.48m3

Laundry: steam mop, vacuum cleaner, clothes basket, tumble dryer, washing machine, ironing board, clothes airer, brooms, mop = 2.1m3

What size truck do I need for my move?

Moving trucks for hire come in varying sizes from around 8m3 to 19m3. However, if you are looking at hiring professional movers, some large trucks can hold up to 70m3.

  • 15m3 is the same space as a single-car garage

  • 30m3 is the same space as a double-car garage

The best way to calculate how much space you need is to do a thorough inventory of your home. While this can take a while, it will save you from over or underestimating how much space you’ll need. Too much space can cost you money, and booking too small of a space can be inconvenient.

What do our customers say?

Read reviews of Wise Move to learn stories from our customers.
$190
Dog crate
Wellington, Kelburn
Auckland, Auckland Airport
10
Andrei
Reviewed 2 hours ago
Professionally precise, dynamic and proactive
$3,000
1 bedroom apartment move
Alexandra, Otago
Nelson, Maitai
10
Angela
Reviewed 5 hours ago
Phil and the guys were just amazing. Great pre-pick up communication, accurate pricing. They totally took the stress out of moving day, arriving with their calm, reassuring no fuss approach. Polite, respectful, efficient and organized. Delivery to the new house was on time and items were placed with care and consideration in the right rooms of the house. Cannot recommend highly enough. Will 100% use them if we ever move again!
$1,500
Mitsubishi legnum
Hamilton, Glenview
Christchurch, Bromley
10
Cody
Reviewed 5 hours ago
no problems, worked with my cillection time and even whent above and beyond with battery problems cheers mate
$350
Dunedin, Dunedin North
Auckland, Forrest Hill
9.0
Julia
Reviewed 5 hours ago
Great service from WiseMove. Prompt communication at all times and delivery of goods.
$500
Christchurch, Yaldhurst
Clinton, Otago
10
Nick
Reviewed 8 hours ago
Highly recommend. Bloody good service
$760
Lower Hutt, Woburn
Masterton, Solway
10
Katie
Reviewed 8 hours ago
I needed to move my house from Wellington to Masterton on short notice, and this team came through without a hitch. Their communication was excellent, the price was great, and everything arrived in perfect condition. The entire process was smooth and stress-free. I’ll definitely be using them again in the future! Highly recommend.
$290
Bike, large suitcase, large suitcase
Wellington, Berhampore
Auckland, Māngere
10
Melvinder
Reviewed 11 hours ago
Sonu and his team were absolutely fantastic. So helpful and professional. I highly recommend them.
$920
Hamilton, Frankton
Hamilton, Hamilton East
10
Ayan
Reviewed 12 hours ago
Eco-shifter Tōtara picked up the original query and responded to my request the same day. They were available on short notice, and punctual. They kept me in the loop regarding their ETA. The team was very pleasant and professional. I really appreciated that they voiced their concerns regarding moving a few items that they were concerned about given the narrow hallway, and not just steamroll ahead without concern of damage to the items or the property. All the move was done quickly, efficiently, with no damaged items. On the whole it was a great experience, and I would be happy to book with them again!

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