Moving Box Count Estimator
Estimate how many moving boxes you need based on home size and room count.
Get a breakdown by room type and recommended box sizes for each.
Boxes Needed
Packing too few boxes is the most common moving mistake. Running out of boxes mid-move stalls everything. This calculator estimates the total boxes you need, broken down by room type.
Industry estimates by room:
| Room | Small boxes | Medium boxes | Large boxes | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | 6 | 4 | 0 | 10 |
| Living room | 3 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Bedroom (primary) | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 |
| Bedroom (additional) | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| Bathroom | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Home office | 5 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| Garage | 4 | 6 | 4 | 14 |
| Basement / storage | 4 | 6 | 4 | 14 |
| Dining room | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
Box size guide:
| Size | Dimensions (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 16×12×12 in (41×30×30 cm) | Books, canned goods, small electronics |
| Medium | 18×18×16 in (46×46×41 cm) | Pots, small appliances, decorations |
| Large | 18×18×24 in (46×46×61 cm) | Linens, pillows, clothing, light bulbs |
| Extra large | 24×18×24 in (61×46×61 cm) | Comforters, stuffed animals, lampshades |
| Wardrobe | 24×21×46 in (61×53×117 cm) | Clothes on hangers |
What affects your box count:
- Minimalists need 30–40% fewer boxes than the estimates above.
- Collectors or longtime residents may need 30–50% more.
- A household that has lived in one place for 10+ years typically accumulates significantly more items.
- Always buy 10–15% extra, boxes are cheap; running out mid-move is not.
Packing tips:
- Never pack a box heavier than 50 lb (23 kg), your back will thank you.
- Use small boxes for heavy items (books, dishes) and large boxes for light items (pillows, linens).
- Fill boxes completely, partially filled boxes collapse when stacked.
- Label every box on the top AND sides with the destination room.
- Pack an “essentials” box last, first out of the truck. Include: phone charger, toilet paper, coffee, change of clothes, and important documents.
Free box sources:
- Liquor stores (double-walled, great for dishes)
- Bookstores and libraries
- Grocery stores (banana boxes are surprisingly strong)
- Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor (people give away post-move boxes for free)
- Recycling centers
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
SuperGlobalCalculator is independently built and maintained. See how we build and verify our calculators.