How Many U-Box® Containers Do I Need?

Whether you’re moving across the country or looking for an alternate storage solution, U-Box® containers are a fantastic choice. Don’t just take it from us – Forbes Home named U-Box containers the “Best Moving Container of 2024” and Bob Vila dubbed U-Box containers the “Best Overall” among plenty of other portable storage container options.

But before making a U-Box reservation, it’s natural to question how many you need. The good news is, there’s no need to overthink it! For one, U-Haul will refund you for any containers that you don’t use. So, it's fine to err on the side of too many over too few. Second, we’ve made it easy to figure out the perfect number of containers necessary for your moving or storage journey.

Continue reading this guide to learn more about the ideal number of storage containers, their size, and compatibility with your items.

U-Box Container Size

Let's start with the dimensions. Each U-Box container has a generous capacity of 257 cubic feet, or about as large as a standard storage unit, and an impressive weight capacity of up to 2,000 lbs. This gives our containers ample strength and space to accommodate virtually anything you have at home, including oversized items such as a king-sized mattress.

U-Box container external dimensions:

• 5 feet wide
• 8 feet long
• 7.5 feet high

U-Box container internal dimensions:

• 4’8” wide
• 7’11” long
• 6’11 ½" high

What Fits in a U-Box Container?

Generally, a single U-Box container can accommodate the moving boxes and furniture from about one and a half rooms. So for example, if you’re moving from a three-bedroom home, four containers – two for the bedrooms and two for the kitchen and living areas – might be a good place to start.

For a better visual of the size of our portable storage containers and what can fit inside, watch the video below to see how a bedframe, a mattress and its bedding, a desk, a futon, and plenty more easily fit in a single U-Box container. Then, learn more about how to pack your containers like a pro.

How Many U-Box Containers Do You Need?

There are two ways to answer this question: you can make a rough calculation yourself, considering the number of rooms in your house and the size of a U-Box container (as discussed above). Or, if you prefer a more accurate and hassle-free approach, you can use our convenient estimator tool.

Our tool simplifies the process. Select either the "average" or "more than average" option based on the amount of belongings you have, then select the number of bedrooms in your home. The tool will generate a recommended number of U-Box containers specifically tailored to your needs.

Container Recommendation by Home Size and Amount of Stuff

Get a U-Box Container Quote

Now that we’ve given you the equation, let’s put it to good use, and remember it’s a lot easier to just use the estimator tool. Whether you’re moving from one coast to the other or simply needing on-site storage, U-Box containers are a secure, convenient, and flexible solution.Start your U-Box container reservation today!