Capacity is measured in cubic feet. A rough rule of thumb is 4–6 cu ft per adult in the household.
Round up if you cook a lot, shop in bulk, or entertain; round down for a garage or backup unit.
| Household | Typical total capacity |
|---|
| 1–2 people | 10–16 cu ft |
| 3–4 people | 16–22 cu ft |
| 5+ people | 22–30+ cu ft |
| Apartment / dorm / office | 3–10 cu ft (compact) |
Bigger isn't automatically better: an oversized fridge that runs half-empty just costs more to buy and to run. Match the box to how you really shop and cook.