Moving Container Sizes: What Fits — and What You Still Pay On Top

Feature	8-Foot	12-Foot	16-Foot
Best for	Studio / 1 BR	1-2 Bedrooms	3+ Bedrooms
Room equivalent	3-4 rooms	5-6 rooms	6-8 rooms
Interior dimensions	8'L × 7'W × 8'H	12'L × 8'W × 8'H	16'L × 8'W × 8'H
Cubic feet	~440 cu ft	~690 cu ft	~860 cu ft
Weight limit	2,200-2,500 lbs	3,500-4,500 lbs	4,200-5,000 lbs
Box capacity	~40 medium boxes	~60-80 medium boxes	~100+ medium boxes
Container price (1,000 mi)	$2,500 - $4,500	$3,500 - $6,500	$4,000 - $7,500

These prices cover the container and transport only. Keep scrolling to see what you still owe on top.

The 8-foot container works for studio apartments and small 1-bedroom homes (~440 cubic feet).

Typical load:

• 1 queen/king bed + mattress
• 1 dresser + 2 nightstands
• 1 small sofa or loveseat
• 1 dining table + 2-4 chairs
• 15-25 medium moving boxes
• 1 TV and small electronics

Best for: College moves, studios, downsizing, or supplementing a larger move.

The 12-foot container is the most popular size for apartments and small homes (~690 cubic feet).

Typical load:

• 1-2 bed sets (queen/king + twin/full)
• 1 full-size sofa + armchair
• Dining table + 4-6 chairs
• 2 dressers + nightstands
• 1 desk, bookshelf, or entertainment center
• 40-60 medium moving boxes
• Small appliances and electronics

Best for: 1-2 bedroom apartments, small houses, couples moving together.

The 16-foot container handles full household moves (~860 cubic feet).

Typical load:

• 2-3 full bed sets
• Living room set (sofa, loveseat, coffee table, TV stand)
• Full dining set + hutch/china cabinet
• Multiple dressers, desks, and bookshelves
• Washer/dryer
• 60-100+ medium moving boxes
• Home gym equipment (if compact)

Best for: 3+ bedroom homes, families, people with lots of furniture.

You picked your container size. Great. Now here's what the container company doesn't include:

Expense	Cost	Notes
Packing supplies (boxes, tape, wrap, pads)	$200 - $500	Containers arrive empty — you supply everything
Loading labor (2 helpers, 4-6 hrs)	$300 - $600	Or do it yourself and risk injury
Insurance upgrade	$100 - $300	Basic coverage pays $0.60/lb — almost nothing
Dolly + straps + equipment	$50 - $150	You need tools to load safely
Your time (30-40 hours of labor)	$750 - $1,000	Packing + loading + unloading + unpacking
Potential damage from amateur packing	$0 - $800	Avg damage claim: $800
TOTAL ADD-ON COSTS	$1,400 - $3,350	On top of container price

A 12-ft container at $3,500-$6,500 becomes $4,900-$9,850 total. A 16-ft container at $4,000-$7,500 becomes $5,400-$10,850 total.

Same price or less. Zero labor. Zero guessing on container size. Zero damage risk. Full-service movers assess your home and bring the right truck — you never worry about sizing, supplies, or sore muscles.

Most of our customers switched from containers to full-service after comparing real costs. None switched back.

What size moving container do I need for a 2-bedroom apartment?

A 12-foot container fits most 2-bedroom apartments (5-6 rooms). But remember: the container is just the box. You still need to buy packing supplies ($200-$500), hire loading help ($300-$600), and add insurance ($100-$300). Full-service movers bring the right size truck and handle everything for $4,500-$7,500 all-in.

Is it cheaper to get two small containers or one large one?

One large container costs $200-$500 more than a small one. Two small containers cost $5,000-$9,000 total. But both options still require you to buy supplies, hire loaders, and spend 30+ hours packing and loading. Full-service movers bring the right truck — no size guessing, no extra fees.

What happens if my stuff doesn't fit in the container?

You'll need a second container ($1,500-$3,000+) or emergency overflow storage. This is a common problem because people underestimate their belongings. With full-service movers, the crew assesses your home and brings the right truck — overpacking is their problem to solve, not yours.

Do I need to buy my own packing supplies for a container?

Yes. Containers arrive empty. You need boxes ($60-$150), tape and wrap ($60-$120), furniture pads ($50-$100), and mattress bags ($15-$30). Total: $200-$500. With full-service moving, all packing materials are included in the quoted price.