Cargo Van Volume Calculator
Calculate the usable cargo volume of a van in cubic feet and cubic metres from the interior length, width and height behind the seats.
How it works
Gross cu ft = L × W × H ÷ 1728 · Usable = gross × usable% (1728 = cubic inches per cubic foot)
Cargo volume is just length times width times height, converted from cubic inches to cubic feet by dividing by 1,728. But the raw box figure overstates what you can actually pack: wheel-well intrusions narrow the floor, curved walls waste corners, and you need room to tie loads down and open the doors. Applying a usable fraction of around 70–85% gives a realistic figure — the same reason a van’s advertised cargo volume always exceeds what fits on a real move.
Worked example
A cargo bay 120 in long, 55 in wide and 52 in tall is 120 × 55 × 52 = 343,200 cu in, or 343,200 ÷ 1,728 = 198.6 cu ft gross. At 80% usable that is about 158.9 cu ft you can really load.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a van’s cargo volume?
Multiply the interior length, width and height in inches, then divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet. For a realistic capacity, multiply by a usable fraction of roughly 70–85% to account for wheel wells, shape and packing space.
Why is usable volume less than the box volume?
The interior is not a perfect rectangle. Wheel wells eat into the floor, the walls curve, and you need clearance to secure the load and close the doors. That is why the calculator lets you apply a usable percentage.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic metres?
Multiply cubic feet by 0.0283168. So a 199 cu ft van is about 5.6 m³. The calculator shows both so you can match a mover’s or shipper’s units.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.