How to measure your furniture in cubic metres

Measure length, width and height in the same unit, convert each dimension to metres, then multiply them. Record the result alongside the item name and quantity so it can be checked against the inventory. A calculated furniture volume helps describe the load; it does not on its own settle truck packing, access, handling time or price.

It will take some time and you might need a hand, but it’s not hard to measure your furniture in cubic metres.

Why would you do this?

Well, most removalists set their prices based on the cubic metres of items they are hired to move.

The more cubic metres that need to be moved, the bigger the moving truck or trucks will need to be.

Therefore, anyone who is moving house will be able to obtain more accurate quotes from removalists if they measure up their own furniture and calculate precisely how many cubic metres worth of items they need moved to a new property.

But there is also an easier way.

What is a cubic metre?

A cubic metre is a simple metric measure of volume.

Imagine a cube that measures 1 metre long, 1 metre wide and 1 metre high.

That equates to exactly one cubic metre (m³) of volume.

What do you need to measure your furniture in cubic metres?

All you need to measure your furniture in cubic metres is a tape measure, a calculator and a pen and paper to jot down the dimensions of each piece of furniture.

For measuring larger items of furniture, it could be handy to enlist the help of another person to hold the tape measure at one end and ensure accuracy of the measurements.

How do you calculate the cubic metres of your furniture?

Calculating the cubic metres of furniture is fairly simple.

All you have to do is measure the length, width and height of each item.

Then you multiply the three numbers together.

For example, if your three-seat couch measures 218 cm long, 88 cm wide and 88cm high, it would equate to 1.69 cubic metres (2.18m x 0.88m x 0.88m = 1.69 m³).

A queen size bed mattress which measured 203 cm long, 153 cm wide and 25 cm high would equate to 0.78 cubic metres (2.03m x 1.53m x 0.25m = 0.78 m³).

One more example would be a big French door fridge, which measured 172 cm high, 79 cm wide and 69 cm deep.

This fridge would work out to be approximately 0.94 cubic metres (1.72m x 0.79m x 0.69m = 0.937572 m³).

As you can see, with the help of a calculator it is not hard to work out the cubic metres of all of your furniture, whitegoods and other household items by yourself.

It can just take a little time to do all the measuring up.

How to get a removalist quote without measuring all your furniture

It is possible to receive a detailed quote from a removalist without measuring up all your furniture, whitegoods and other large household items.

At Fragile Removals & Storage, we have developed a clever inventory calculator as part of our ‘ Detailed Quote’ page.

All you have to do is enter a few brief details, including the size of your current house and where you are moving to.

You can then select all the larger items you plan to take with you from our extensive inventory list.

The list includes typical items found in every room of the average house, from microwaves to high chairs, bar fridges, golf bags, folding tables, mirrors, beds, wine racks, bikes, desks, stereos and even pool tables.

Based on the items you select, we can calculate how many cubic metres we expect your items to take up and provide you with a highly-competitive quote based on those calculations.

Alternatively, you can give us a call on 1800 500 584 to discuss all your moving needs.

Check units before adding the inventory

Keep a separate column for length, width and height. A measurement in centimetres must be divided by 100 before using it in a calculation expressed in metres. A measurement in millimetres must be divided by 1,000. Do that conversion for all three dimensions, not just the longest one.

For the fridge example above, 79 cm is 0.79 m. Multiplying 1.72 by 0.79 by 0.69 gives 0.937572 m³, which rounds to about 0.94 m³. This corrects the inconsistent 790 cm width and 0.97 m³ result previously shown for that example. Measure your own appliance; the example is not a model specification.

For more than one identical item, multiply the per-item result by the quantity. Keep the unrounded figures while calculating the total and round the final result for discussion with the removalist. If the items differ in size, measure and list them separately rather than applying the largest or smallest example to all of them.

Match the measurement to what will travel

Explain whether an item will remain assembled or whether dismantling has been agreed. Include the pieces that will actually travel, and make sure loose shelves, table legs or other components are not forgotten or counted twice. Ask the team how it wants dismantled items recorded in the inventory.

A length-times-width-times-height calculation describes a rectangular space around an item. It does not prove that every gap in a vehicle can be filled or that a fragile piece can have other goods stacked around it. Irregular shapes, protection and handling requirements belong in the discussion with the removalist.

Measure access separately

Volume and access answer different questions. An item may have a modest cubic volume yet still be too long for a turn or too wide for a doorway. Check the full route at collection and delivery, including entrances, corners, stairs and lifts.

Use five things to remember while moving for access and handover checks. If a dimension is uncertain or the route appears too tight, tell the team before the move rather than assuming the volume estimate proves that the item will fit.

Compare estimates without confusing examples and measurements

The common household goods volume guide provides examples for planning. Your measured inventory should take precedence over a generic example when the furniture differs. Use the detailed quote form to discuss the complete load and access.

If your total differs from the removalist's assessment, check the dimensions, units, quantities, dismantled components and packing assumptions together. Update the list when you sell, donate or add items. Ask whether the revised inventory changes the quote before relying on the earlier figure.