How to use the moving weight estimator
- Enter the pounds per cubic foot your estimate uses. The 7 shown is an example.
- List your rooms or loads with the volume of each in cubic feet.
- In More options, add extra boxes counted separately, with an example weight for each.
- Read the headline for the estimated weight, and the table for the weight of each room, plus kilograms and tons.
Formula
room weight = cubic feet x pounds per cubic foot
box weight = number of boxes x pounds per box
total = sum of rooms + boxes; kilograms = pounds x 0.45359237
A US ton here is 2,000 pounds. The density is a single number applied to every room, so it works best for a rough overall figure.
1,000 cubic feet at 7 pounds per cubic foot
The rooms total 400 + 350 + 150 + 100 = 1,000 cubic feet, so the weight is 1,000 x 7 = 7,000 pounds. That is 7,000 x 0.45359237 = 3,175.1 kilograms, or 3.5 US tons.
The rooms weigh 2,800, 2,450, 1,050 and 700 pounds. Adding 10 boxes at 30 pounds each is 300 more pounds, for 7,300 pounds. At 8.5 pounds per cubic foot, the same 1,000 cubic feet would weigh 8,500 pounds.
Where the density comes from
Density depends on what you own. A home full of books, tools and solid furniture is heavier per cubic foot than one with light furnishings. The 7 pounds shown is an example, and a mover may use a different figure in their own estimates. If you have a quote, ask which density and which volume it assumes, and use those so you can compare.
Volume is the harder number. Movers survey a home and estimate cubic feet from the furniture and boxes. A rough way to compare is the Storage Unit Size Calculator, and for supplies, the Moving Box Estimator.
What the estimate is for
A weight estimate helps you judge a quote that is priced by weight, choose a truck, or check a container limit. It does not replace the mover's own survey or a certified scale, and the weighed amount on the day sets the bill. For a full budget, see the Moving Cost Calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- One density applies to all rooms. Heavy items such as a safe or a piano are better added as a separate line with its own estimated volume or weight.
- Volumes are what you enter. Nothing is looked up or surveyed.
- Extra boxes use one weight each, an example you can change.
- The result is a planning estimate, not a weighed figure.
Frequently asked questions
How do I estimate the weight of a household move?
Multiply the cubic feet of your belongings by a density in pounds per cubic foot. 1,000 cubic feet at 7 pounds per cubic foot is 7,000 pounds. The density is an assumption, so ask your mover which one they use.
How many pounds are in a cubic foot of furniture?
It varies with what you own. This page does not set one. It uses the number you enter, and shows an example of 7. Compare it with the density in your mover's estimate if you have one.
How do I find the cubic feet of my belongings?
Movers estimate it from a survey of your home. You can add up the sizes of your furniture and boxes yourself, or ask for the volume in a written quote. Enter each room separately so you can see where the weight comes from.
Does this give the weight I will be billed for?
No. If a price depends on weight, it is set by the mover's own estimate and a weighed truck. Use this page to check that a quote is reasonable, not to predict the bill to the pound.