Planning to move your house but get confused when movers ask you about the required number of cubic metre you want to transit? Don’t worry as most homeowners might not be familiar with the same question. While quoting the relocation cost it is very important for the moving company to know the exact requirement of a cu.m. Before moving forwards with the relocation process read this blog.
In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive guide to cubic metre. We will cover the basics of what a cubic metre is and how to measure them and delve into the various factors that can impact your cubic metre calculations. We will also provide tips and techniques for accurately calculating cubic metre in the moving and shipping industry. By the end of this guide, you will have a solid understanding of cubic metre and how to use it to plan and execute a successful move.
What is a Cubic Metre?
Cubic metre is a unit of measurement for volume. It is often used in the moving and shipping industries to determine the size and capacity of a moving truck or container and how much space household items or other goods will take up. Understanding how to calculate cubic metres and the factors that can affect these calculations is crucial for anyone who is planning a move or shipping goods from one place to another place. With the help of cubic metre you can easily know the volume of any object whether it’s in a regular or irregular shape. For example, by multiplying the height, length, and width of the box the result came out will be in CBM.
The formula of cubic metre is height*length*width or 1m * 1m * 1m = CBM
How to Calculate Items in Cubic Metre?
To calculate the cubic metre measurement of an item, you will need to measure its length, width, and height in meters. These measurements can be taken with a standard tape measure or ruler. Once you have these measurements, you can use the following formula to calculate the cubic metre measurement: length x width x height.
For example, let’s say you have a box that measures 1 metre in length, 0.5 metres in width, and 0.5 metres in height. Using the formula, you would calculate the cubic metre measurement as follows: 1 x 0.5 x 0.5 = 0.25 cubic metres.
Examples of Common Household Items and Their Approximate Cubic Metre Measurements
Here are some examples of common household items and their approximate cubic metre measurements:
| Household To Move | Cubic Metre |
|---|---|
| Small box | 0.1 – 0.2 CBM |
| Medium box | 0.2 – 0.4 cubic CBM |
| Large box | 0.4 – 0.8 cubic CBM |
| Sofas | 1.5 – 2 cubic CBM |
| Mattresses | 0.2 – 0.4 cubic CBM |
| Dining room table | 0.6 – 0.8 cubic CBM |
| Armchair | 0.8 cubic CBM |
| Chest of drawers | 0.5 – 0.7 cubic CBM |
| Television | 0.25 cubic CBM |
| Dining chair | 0.15 cubic CBM |
| Chest of drawers | 0.5 – 0.7 cubic CBM |
| Dining Table | 1 cubic CBM |
| Washing Machine | 0.5 cubic CBM |
| Glass Cabinet | 0.8 cubic CBM |
| Refrigerator | 1 cubic CBM |
| 2 seater lounge | 1.2 cubic CBM |
How to Convert Different Units in the Metre
When measuring the cubic metre of your belongings before moving, it is best to convert different units into metres to know the exact space they will take. It will help you better plan your move and ensure that you have enough space to store your belongings.
-
The Formula for measuring different units in cubic metre is:
V = length x width x height,
Where V is the volume, length is the length of the object, width is the width of the object, and height is the height of the object.
For example, if you have a box that is 2 metres long, 1 metre wide, and 1 metre high, you can use the formula to calculate the volume of the box.
V = 2 x 1 x 1 = 2 cubic metres.
It means that if you have a container that is 6.5 feet long, 3.3 feet wide and 3.3 feet high, you can calculate the amount of space it takes up by using the formula.
-
Converting cubic metre to cubic yards:
1 cubic metre is equal to 1.30795062 cubic yards.
To convert cubic metre to cubic yards, you will use the following formula:
V(yd³) = V(m³) x 1.30795062
For example, if you have a volume of 3 cubic metres, to convert it to cubic yards, you’ll use the formula like this:
V(yd³) = 3 x 1.30795062 = 3.9238 cubic yards
-
Converting cubic metre to cubic feet:
1 cubic metre is equal to 35.3147 cubic feet.
To convert cubic metre to cubic feet, you will use the following formula:
V(ft³) = V(m³) x 35.3147
For example, if you have a volume of 3 cubic metres, to convert it to cubic feet, you’ll use the formula like this:
V(ft³) = 3 x 35.3147 = 105.9441 cubic feet
-
Converting cubic metre to cubic inches:
1 cubic metre is equal to 61023.7441 cubic inches.
To convert cubic metres to cubic inches, you will use the following formula:
V(in³) = V(m³) x 61023.7441.
For example, if you have a volume of 3 cubic metres, to convert it to cubic inches, you’ll use the formula like this:
V(in³) = 3 x 61023.7441 = 183,071.23 cubic inches.
It is essential to be able to convert different units of measurement to have a better understanding of the amount of space your belongings will take and plan accordingly.
Cubic Metre Calculator For Irregular-Shaped Objects
When measuring the cubic metre of your belongings before moving, it can be challenging to calculate the volume of irregularly shaped objects. One way to solve this problem is by using a cubic metre calculator for irregular-shaped things.
-
Cylindrical Packages
To calculate the volume of a cylindrical package, you would need to know the height and radius of the circular base. The formula to calculate the volume of a cylindrical container is:
V = πr^2h,
V is the volume, r is the radius, and h is the height.
For example, if you have a round trash can that is 60cm high and has a radius of 30cm, you can use the formula to calculate the volume of the trash can.
V = π(30)^2(60) = 4,712cm^3
So, it means that if you have a trash can that is 2 feet high and 1 foot wide in diameter, you can calculate the amount of space it takes up by using the formula, this way you can compare it with other items you have and make a decision on whether to keep it or not and also it can help you to estimate how much space you will need in your new place.
-
Irregular-Shaped Packages
Measuring irregularly shaped packages can be as challenging as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. These items do not have a consistent shape and can be challenging to measure accurately. Without a proper method, it can be hard to determine the amount of space they take up and how many will fit in a specific area. So, let’s understand it with an example.
A real example of using a cubic metre calculator for irregular-shaped objects could be measuring the volume of a round fish tank.
Let’s say you have a round fish tank that is 50cm high and has a radius of 40cm. To calculate the volume of the fish tank, you would use the formula for a cylindrical package:
V = πr^2h,
V is the volume, r is the radius, and h is the height.
So, in this case, the calculation would be:
V = π(40)^2(50) = 50,265cm^3
So; this means that if you have a fish tank that is 1.5 feet high and 1.3 feet wide in diameter, you can calculate the amount of space it takes up by using the formula. This way you can compare it with other items you have and make a decision on whether to take it or not and also it can help you to estimate how much space you will need in your new place.
Studio Apartments (15 boxes)
- 5 x large tea chest 100-litre moving box
- 5 x medium 61-litre moving box
- 5 x small 40-litre moving box
- 1 x packing tape
- 1 x roll of butcher paper
- Cost: $55 – $7
1 – 2-Bedroom Unit Or House (30 Boxes)
- 15 – 20 x small boxes
- 10 x large boxes
- 2 x rolls of packing tape (more available, if required)
- 2 x rolls of butcher paper
- Cost: $100 – $120
3 – 4-Bedroom House (50 Boxes)
- 20 x large boxes
- 20 x medium boxes
- 5 x small boxes
- 5 x rolls of packing tape
- 4 x rolls of butcher paper
- Cost: $120 – $190
***All these above-mentioned boxes details are the estimation for the readers. The requirement of moving boxes depends on the size of your house and the number of essential items that you want to move to your new home.
What Truck Size Do I Need for My House to Move?
| Size Of House | Required Truck | Possessions Size in Cubic Feet | Maximum load |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom studio | Small trucks | 400 – 600 | 3,000 lbs |
| 2-bedroom home | Medium Truck | 650 – 900 | 4,500 lbs |
| 3-bedroom home | Large trucks | 950 – 1,400 | 6,500 lbs |
Why is it Important to Measure Cubic Metre of Objects For Move?
Measuring the cubic metre of your belongings before planning a move is important because it helps you to understand various things when you are making your move.
What are those, you ask? Here are the reasons why it is important to measure the cubic metre before a move.
- Understanding the cubic metre of your belongings will help you to know how much space you will need to store your belongings and ensure that you have enough space in your new home.
- Measuring cubic metre can help you to plan your move effectively and prevent issues such as having to pay extra fees for additional space.
- Knowing the cubic metre of your belongings can assist in estimating cost of moving and avoiding any hidden charges.
- It can help you to move your belongings safely and efficiently.
- It can assist you in deciding how many packing materials you will need for your move.
- Measuring cubic metre allows you to prioritize which items are essential to take and which items can be left behind or donated.
- It also helps you to decide whether you need to rent a storage space or if all the belongings would fit in your new place.
- It enables you to compare different moving companies and their rates based on the cubic metre of your belongings.
- It can also assist you in determining the size of the moving truck or container you will need for your move.
- Knowing the cubic metre of your belongings can also help you to decide if you need additional insurance for your move, as it will give you an idea of the value of your possessions.
- It can also help you to avoid any confusion with the movers regarding how many belongings you have and how much space they will take.
- It will give you a better understanding of how to pack and organize your belongings to make a move more efficient.
Factors that Can Affect Cubic Metre Calculations
There are several factors that can affect the cubic metre calculations for your household items. These include
- Shape and size of items: The shape and size of your items can have a significant impact on the cubic metre measurement. For example, a large, oddly-shaped item may take up more space in a moving truck than several smaller, more compact items.
- Packaging materials used: The packaging materials you use can also affect the cubic metre measurement. For example, using sturdy, high-quality boxes and packing materials may allow you to stack items more efficiently and take up less space in the moving truck.
- Stacking and arrangement of items in the moving vehicle: The way you arrange and stack your items in the moving truck can also affect the cubic metre measurement. Properly organizing and stacking your articles can help you maximize the available space and fit more things in the truck.
- Type of items: The items you are moving can also affect the cubic metre measurement. For example, heavy items like appliances or furniture may take up more space in the moving truck than lighter items like linens or clothing.
- Quantity of items: The number of items you move can also impact the cubic metre measurement. For example, a larger quantity of smaller items may take up more space in the truck than a smaller quantity of oversized items.
- Condition of items: The condition of your items can also affect the cubic metre measurement. For example, if you have items that are fragile or need to be handled with care, you may need to use more packaging materials or take up more space in the truck to ensure that they are protected during the move.
Tips for Accurately Calculating Cubic Metre in the Moving Industry
experieHere are some tips for accurately calculating cubic metre in the moving industry –
- Use a cubic metre calculator or conversion tool: There are many online tools and calculators that can help you easily convert your measurements to cubic metre. These tools can be a great time-saver and can help ensure that your calculations are accurate.
- Carefully measure and record the dimensions of items: Make sure to take accurate measurements of all your items and record them in a list or spreadsheet. It will make it easier to calculate the cubic metre measurement for each item and for your entire move.
- Consider the weight and density of items in addition to their size: Keep in mind that the weight and density of your items can also impact the size of the moving truck you will need. For example, a sofa may take up less space in the truck than a box of books, but the box of books may be heavier and take up more space in terms of weight capacity.
- Make a list of all your items: Creating a detailed list of all your items can help you keep track of the cubic metre measurement for each item and make it easier to calculate the total cubic metre measurement for your move.
- Take into account any additional items you may be taking: Don’t forget to include any additional items you may take with you, such as outdoor furniture, tools, or sporting equipment. These items can add to the cubic metre measurement and may impact the size of the moving truck you will need.
- Consider hiring a professional moving company: If you are uncertain about how to calculate the cubic metre measurement for your move accurately, you may want to consider hiring experienced house removalists. These companies have experience calculating cubic metre and can help ensure that you have the right truck for your move.
- Pack efficiently: Properly packing your items can help you save space in the moving truck and reduce the overall cubic metre measurement. Consider using packing techniques like nesting or using vacuum-sealed bags to compress clothing and linens. You can also use space-saving packing materials like packing cubes or compression bags to help you make the most of the available space in the truck.
Conclusion
Accurate cubic metre calculations are crucial for planning and pricing a move or shipping goods. By understanding and correctly using the formula for calculating cubic metre, you can ensure that you have a smooth and successful move. Don’t forget to consider the factors that can affect cubic metre calculations, such as the shape and size of your items, the packaging materials used, and the stacking and arrangement of items in the moving vehicle.
At OZ Removalists we understand that it is not easy to calculate the exact number of cubic meters you have to move. For that reason, we offer an obligation-free home survey. Our professionals will inspect all your moving objects and provide you with the exact value of cubic meters that you need to move. In this way, we help our clients to get the best move experience. You can contact our team by calling at 1800842066.
