How storage unit size calculator Works
The footprint math
A home's contents, boxed and stacked, compress to roughly 25–50% of its floor footprint: a 2BR (750 sq ft) compresses to ~75 sq ft of well-stacked goods — a 10×10. The compression ratio depends entirely on stacking discipline, which is why the calculator's multiplier ranges from 0.75 (uniform boxes, plan) to 1.3 (floor-dwelling reality).
The 10×10 default, examined
The 10×10 is the industry's best-seller because it fits the median need loosely — but the wrong half of guesses split evenly: oversized units burn money monthly, undersized ones force a second unit or a second truck day. Fifteen minutes of sizing math before leasing is the cheapest decision in self-storage.
Aisles and access
A 10×10 packs 100 sq ft but offers no aisle — everything in front must move to reach the back. Larger units (10×15+) let you leave a walkway, which changes daily usability more than raw area. If you will access the unit monthly, size for the aisle; if it is a sealed time capsule, size for the stack.