Storage Size Calculator
Select your items or life situation, get a recommended unit size, and see what it costs near you.
1
Choose a scenario (or build your own list)
2
Select your items
0 items selected
Select items above
Add items to see your recommended unit size.
3
See prices near you
Enter your suburb above to see live prices.
Australian Storage Unit Sizes — Quick Reference
Australian self-storage units are measured in square metres (m²), unlike US facilities that use square feet. Here's what each size category fits and what you can expect to pay.
| Size | Area | Fits | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locker | < 2 m² | 10–20 boxes, documents, small items | Students, seasonal gear, document archival |
| Small | 2–5 m² | Single room of furniture, 30–40 boxes | Studio move, bathroom renovation, decluttering |
| Medium | 5–10 m² | 1-bed apartment or large room, 50–80 boxes | Apartment move, kitchen renovation, going overseas |
| Large | 10–20 m² | 2–3 bedroom house contents, 100+ boxes | House move, major renovation, downsizing |
| Extra Large | 20–40 m² | Full house with garage items, large furniture | 4+ bedroom house, extended overseas relocation |
| Garage+ | 40+ m² | Entire household plus vehicles or equipment | Commercial stock, tradies, boat/caravan storage |
Use the calculator above to get a personalised recommendation based on your actual items, then see live prices from Kennards, National Storage, Storage King, Fort Knox, StoreLocal, and Roomia near your suburb.
How the Calculator Works
- Pick a scenario or select your items. Choose a life event (moving, renovating, going overseas) to pre-fill a typical item list, or build your own from 30+ common household items. Each item has a measured volume in cubic metres.
- We calculate the space you need. Your total volume is converted to floor area using a 2-metre stacking height (standard for Australian storage units) plus a 15% buffer for access aisles and airflow. The result is your recommended unit size in m².
- See real prices in your suburb. Enter your suburb or postcode to see live prices from providers with facilities near you. Prices come from our database of Australian storage facilities, updated regularly across all major providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical 2-bedroom house needs a large unit (10–15 m²). This fits a queen bed, single bed, 2 wardrobes, a 3-seater sofa, dining table, fridge, washing machine, and about 25 moving boxes. If you're only storing part of the house (like during a renovation), a medium unit (5–10 m²) may be enough. Use the calculator above to get an exact recommendation based on your specific items.
A 3-bedroom house typically needs an extra-large unit (15–25 m²). You'll be storing a king bed, queen bed, single bed, 3 wardrobes, a sofa, armchair, dining set, desk, fridge, washer, dryer, outdoor furniture, and 40+ boxes. The exact size depends on how much furniture you have — our calculator maps your specific items to the right unit.
Australian storage facilities measure units in square metres (m²), the standard metric unit used across Australia. Most online calculators are built for the US market and use square feet, which requires conversion. This calculator is built specifically for Australian renters — every measurement, size bracket, and price is in metric and sourced from Australian providers.
You can't fill a storage unit wall-to-wall — you need space to walk in, access items at the back, and allow airflow to prevent mould and moisture damage. The industry standard is a 15% buffer on top of your item volume. Our calculator adds this automatically so the recommended size is genuinely usable, not just technically sufficient.
Prices come from our database of Australian storage facilities, which we update regularly by checking provider websites and APIs. They reflect advertised monthly rates — actual costs may vary with promotions, admin fees, or insurance. For a full cost breakdown including hidden fees, try our True Cost Calculator. Read our methodology for details on how we collect prices.
The calculator already includes a 15% access buffer, so the recommendation should be accurate. However, if you think you might add more items later, or if you want easier access (less stacking), going one size up is a safe choice. The price difference between adjacent sizes is usually $20–$50/month. Check the prices in your suburb above to compare.
A 1-bedroom apartment typically fits in a medium unit (5–10 m²). This covers a queen bed, wardrobe, small sofa, desk, fridge, washing machine, and about 15 moving boxes. If you're just storing a few items (not the whole apartment), a small unit (2–5 m²) may suffice. Select the "Moving 1-bed apartment" scenario in the calculator for a pre-filled item list.
For a comprehensive guide to all storage unit sizes, dimensions, and what fits in each, see our Storage Unit Size Guide. To understand the full cost of storage including admin fees, insurance, and price increases, use the True Cost Calculator.
See Real Prices, Not Estimates
We collect advertised rates directly from provider websites — pick your city to start: