Removal van sizes: FAQs
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about van sizes.
What size removal van do I need?
What size removal van do I need?
The short answer: a medium wheelbase (MWB) van suits a handful of boxes or a single bulky item, a long wheelbase (LWB) van suits a studio flat, and a 3.5-tonne Luton with a tail lift suits most one and two-bedroom moves. Bigger homes usually need two or more Lutons working together.
Below, we turn cubic feet into real-life boxes, beds and sofas, so you can pick the right van first time and nothing gets left on the pavement.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Written and reviewed by the AnyVan removals team
How to work out what size removal van you need
Van sizes are usually quoted in cubic metres or cubic feet, which can feel pretty abstract when you're staring at a sofa. As a rough guide, a medium moving box takes up about 3 cubic feet and a fridge freezer about 30 cubic feet. A 3.5-tonne Luton has around 17 cubic metres (600 cubic feet) of load space.
But you can't fill a van like a game of Tetris. Furniture is bulky and awkwardly shaped, and some items can't be stacked, so always allow extra space. If you're torn between two sizes, go for the bigger van.
Bedroom count is a useful starting point, but it's only an estimate. Use the tables below as a guide, then adjust for the things that tend to catch people out:
- Lofts, garages, sheds and gardens can add a surprising amount of volume.
- Large items like corner sofas, American fridge freezers, pianos and wardrobes take up far more space than their footprint suggests.
- Home offices, gym kit and kids' toys all add up.
How AnyVan sizes your move: we work out the van (or vans) from your inventory, meaning the furniture and boxes you list when you get a quote, plus access at both addresses. For homes bigger than two bedrooms, AnyVan usually sends two or more 3.5-tonne Lutons rather than one 7.5-tonne lorry. Lutons are easier to get down residential streets and park, and each one has a tail lift for the heavy stuff.
Vehicles assigned to your move may vary, and we'll always match the van (or vans) to what you're actually moving.
What size van do I need for my move?
A quick guide to van size by property and number of boxes. Treat it as a starting point and size up if you have lots of bulky furniture or outdoor items.
| What you're moving | Approx. medium boxes | Recommended van |
|---|---|---|
| A large wardrobe or sofa, or a few single items | 10–15 | MWB transit van |
| Boxes plus one small white goods item or a bed | Up to 25 | MWB transit van |
| Studio flat | Around 20, plus furniture | LWB transit van |
| One-bedroom flat | 20–25, plus furniture | 3.5-tonne Luton with tail lift |
| Two-bedroom flat or bungalow | Around 25, plus furniture | 3.5-tonne Luton with tail lift |
| Two-bedroom house with some garden furniture | 30–35 | 3.5-tonne Luton with tail lift plus an LWB transit van |
| Three-bedroom house and garden | Around 40 | Two to three 3.5-tonne Luton vans |
| Four or five-bedroom house with garden furniture and a conservatory | 50–55 | Three or more 3.5-tonne Luton vans |
Guide only. The vehicles assigned to your move may vary.
Removal van sizes compared
How MWB, LWB and 3.5-tonne Luton vans compare for home moves.
| Van | Approx. load space (m³) | Approx. medium boxes | Typically suits | Bulky items it can take | Tail lift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium wheelbase (MWB) transit | Smallest option | Up to 30 (fewer with furniture) | Single items, small top-up moves, a shed's worth of stuff | A wardrobe or sofa, or one white goods item | Usually no |
| Long wheelbase (LWB) transit | More than an MWB, less than a Luton | Around 20, plus furniture | Studio flats, furnished lets, garage or lock-up clear-outs | Fridge freezer, 2-seater sofa, double bed, large TV | Usually no |
| 3.5-tonne Luton | About 17 m³ (600 cu ft) | 20–25, plus furniture | One and two-bedroom flats and bungalows | Washing machine, 2-seater sofa, double bed, dining table | Yes |
| Multiple Lutons (or a Luton plus an LWB) | About 34 m³ (1,200 cu ft) and up | 30–55+ | Two-bedroom houses and larger. AnyVan uses these instead of a single 7.5-tonne lorry | The full contents of a family home | Yes, on the Lutons |
Load space and box counts are approximate and vary by vehicle.
Removal van types explained
Medium wheelbase transit (MWB)
Usually the smallest van available, an MWB can move up to 30 medium-sized boxes, roughly enough to empty a shed. Furniture eats into that space, so subtract it from your box count. A washing machine, for example, takes up about six boxes' worth of room. It's a great fit for man and van jobs and single-item moves.
Long wheelbase transit (LWB)
Moving to or from a furnished property, or clearing out a garage or lock-up? An LWB could be the one. It takes plenty of boxes plus some proper household items. A typical LWB job might be 20 medium boxes, a fridge freezer, a microwave, a 2-seater sofa, a double bed and a large TV.
3.5-tonne Luton van with tail lift
The Luton is the workhorse of home removals. With around 600 cubic feet of space, it can take 20–25 medium boxes plus bulkier items like a washing machine, 2-seater sofa, double bed and dining table. The tail lift makes loading heavy furniture much easier (and kinder on backs), which is why it's the go-to for one and two-bedroom flats.
Moving a three-bed house or bigger? No problem. We'll usually send more than one Luton, or a mix of van sizes, so no box is left behind and no space is wasted.
Things to check before you book
Payload isn't the same as space. A 3.5-tonne van doesn't carry 3.5 tonnes of your stuff. That figure is the vehicle's maximum total weight, including the van itself. The actual payload is often around a tonne or less, so a van full of books, tools or flat-pack furniture can hit its weight limit before it runs out of room.
Check access at both addresses. Think about parking, narrow roads, low bridges, stairs, lifts and how far the van can get from your front door. Measure doorways, stairwells and lift doors against your biggest items, and check whether you need a parking permit or suspension.
Ask about a tail lift. Lutons usually have one, MWB and LWB vans usually don't. If you've got heavy items like American fridge freezers or a piano, a tail lift makes a big difference.
One bigger van usually beats two trips. Extra trips add time, fuel and stress, and can push your move into a second day. If in doubt, size up.
Pack smart. Well-packed, uniform boxes stack better and save space. Our packing tips for moving house will help you squeeze more in, and our moving house checklist keeps everything else on track.
Protect your belongings. Find out what cover you have before moving day with our guide to moving insurance.
What size van do I need for a one-bedroom flat?
A 3.5-tonne Luton with a tail lift is usually right for a one-bedroom flat. It takes around 20–25 medium boxes plus furniture such as a double bed, sofa and washing machine. A very sparsely furnished flat may fit in an LWB van.
What size van do I need for a three-bedroom house?
A three-bedroom house with a garden typically needs two to three 3.5-tonne Luton vans, depending on how much furniture you have and whether you're also clearing a loft, garage or shed. AnyVan usually sends multiple Lutons rather than one 7.5-tonne lorry, because they're easier to park on residential streets and each one has a tail lift.
How many boxes fit in a Luton van?
A 3.5-tonne Luton has around 17 cubic metres (600 cubic feet) of load space. On its own that's room for well over 100 medium boxes, but on a real home move it typically carries 20–25 medium boxes alongside furniture like a sofa, bed, dining table and washing machine.
Do removal vans have tail lifts?
Luton vans usually have a tail lift, which makes loading heavy furniture and appliances much easier. Medium and long wheelbase transit vans usually don't, so check before you book if you're moving heavy items.
Is it better to get a bigger van or make two trips?
A bigger van is usually better. Extra trips add time, fuel and cost, and can stretch your move into a second day. If you're unsure, size up.
Can I drive a 3.5-tonne van on a standard UK licence?
Yes, a standard UK category B car licence generally lets you drive vehicles up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass, which includes a 3.5-tonne Luton. Larger vehicles, like a 7.5-tonne lorry, need an additional licence category. If you book a removal with AnyVan, a professional driver does the driving for you.
What's the difference between payload and load space?
Load space is how much room there is in the back of the van, usually measured in cubic metres or cubic feet. Payload is how much weight the van can legally carry. A van can reach its payload limit before it's full, especially with heavy items like books, tools or appliances.
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