Quick answer
What are the dimensions of a moving pod?
PODS comes in three sizes: a small 8 ft for a studio or single room, a mid-size 12 ft for a one to two bedroom home, and a large 16 ft for a three to four bedroom move. All three stand 8 ft (244 cm) tall, and the 12 and 16 ft share the same 8 ft width, so choosing a size really comes down to floor length and how much it holds. The table below has the exact dimensions, usable space, and weight limit for each.
Size reference
PODS moving container sizes.
| Container | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Usable space | Holds | Weight limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 8' x 7' x 8' (2.4 x 2.1 x 2.4 m) | 402 cu ft (11.4 m3) | Up to 500 sq ft / a studio or 1 room | 5,200 lb (2,359 kg) |
| 12 ft | 12' x 8' x 8' (3.7 x 2.4 x 2.4 m) | 689 cu ft (19.5 m3) | 500 to 800 sq ft / 2 to 3 rooms | 4,700 lb (2,132 kg) |
| 16 ft | 16' x 8' x 8' (4.9 x 2.4 x 2.4 m) | 835 cu ft (23.6 m3) | Up to 1,200 sq ft / a 3 to 4 bedroom home | 4,200 lb (1,905 kg) |
Figures are PODS published exterior dimensions and usable cubic feet (pods.com). The interior clear space is a few inches less per side, and PODS recommends leaving a 6 in buffer at the roll-up door, so load the longest items first.
Quick lookups
Quick fit-check examples.
Pod interior dimensions
A PODS container is sized by its 8 ft exterior height and its length: the 8 ft is 8 ft long, the 12 ft is 12 ft long, and the 16 ft is 16 ft long, all 8 ft tall (7 ft wide on the 8 ft container, 8 ft wide on the 12 and 16). The usable interior is a few inches tighter than the exterior because of the wall panels and the roll-up door track, which is why PODS quotes usable space as 402, 689, and 835 cu ft rather than the raw box volume. Measure your longest piece against the container length before you book.
What size pod do I need
The 8 ft is the smallest pod and suits a studio, a single room, or a college dorm; the 12 ft covers a one to two bedroom apartment; and the 16 ft, the largest, is the common choice for a 3 to 4 bedroom house. The 12 and 16 ft share the same 8 by 8 ft cross section and differ only in length, so if you are between the two, the 16 ft adds 4 ft of floor length, not extra width or height.
Measure smart
What to measure.
Four numbers decide nearly every fit check. Get these right and the rest follows.
- 01Width, depth, and height of the item, taken at the widest points, including any feet, handles, or protrusions.
- 02The clear opening of every space the item passes through, measured at the tightest point rather than the nominal size.
- 03The item's smallest dimension, which decides whether tilting or turning it on edge gets it through.
- 04Diagonal clearance at turns, landings, and openings, where the real bottleneck usually is.
Don't make these
Common mistakes.
Most “it didn't fit” stories trace back to one of these oversights.
- ⚠Trusting the printed or nominal size instead of measuring the item and the space yourself.
- ⚠Measuring the frame or outer edge instead of the actual clear opening.
- ⚠Forgetting that a long item can sometimes clear a tight space only when tilted or turned.
- ⚠Planning one space and overlooking the next one in the path.
Run a check
Related fit calculators.
Go deeper
Guides and reference tables.
Frequently asked
Questions we keep getting.
What are the dimensions of a PODS container?
PODS offers three sizes: an 8 ft container (8 by 7 by 8 ft, about 402 cu ft of usable space), a 12 ft container (12 by 8 by 8 ft, about 689 cu ft), and a 16 ft container (16 by 8 by 8 ft, about 835 cu ft). All three are 8 ft tall.
01What is the smallest moving pod size?
The smallest PODS container is the 8 ft, measuring 8 by 7 by 8 ft with about 402 cu ft of usable space and a 5,200 lb weight limit. It holds roughly a studio or one room of furniture and is the size most students and one-bedroom movers choose.
02What is the largest moving pod size?
The largest PODS container is the 16 ft, measuring 16 by 8 by 8 ft with about 835 cu ft of usable space and a 4,200 lb weight limit. It is the common choice for a 3 to 4 bedroom home and is about the size of a 10 by 15 ft storage unit or a 20 ft moving truck.
03What is the difference between the 12 ft and 16 ft pod?
The 12 ft and 16 ft PODS containers share the same 8 by 8 ft cross section and the same 8 ft height, so they are equally wide and tall. The 16 ft is 4 ft longer (835 vs 689 cu ft of usable space), which adds floor length rather than width or height.
04How much can a moving pod hold?
An 8 ft pod holds up to about 500 sq ft of home, a 12 ft pod holds 500 to 800 sq ft (a one to two bedroom apartment), and a 16 ft pod holds up to 1,200 sq ft (a 3 to 4 bedroom home). Weight limits run from 5,200 lb on the 8 ft down to 4,200 lb on the 16 ft.
05Are pod dimensions interior or exterior?
The 8 by 7 by 8 ft, 12 by 8 by 8 ft, and 16 by 8 by 8 ft figures PODS publishes are exterior dimensions. The usable interior is a few inches smaller per side because of the wall panels, and PODS recommends leaving a 6 in buffer near the roll-up door, which is why the usable space is quoted in cubic feet (402, 689, 835) rather than the raw box volume.
06Will a couch fit in a moving pod?
Yes. A standard 3 seat sofa (about 84 in long) fits in all three PODS sizes, since the shortest container is 8 ft (96 in) long. The container width (7 to 8 ft) and 8 ft height leave room to stand or stack other items alongside it. Load long pieces like sofas and mattresses first, along the wall.
07
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