Moving Box Estimate Calculator

Moving Box Estimates help you plan how many boxes to buy or collect before a move. The number varies based on home size, how much stuff you have, and your packing style.

Average boxes needed by home size:

• Studio apartment: 15-25 boxes
• 1-bedroom apartment: 25-40 boxes
• 2-bedroom home: 40-60 boxes
• 3-bedroom home: 60-80 boxes
• 4-bedroom home: 80-120 boxes
• 5+ bedroom home: 120-150+ boxes

Box types and sizes:

• Small (1.3 cubic feet / 37 liters): heavy items such as books, canned food and tools. About 16×12×12 inches. Retailers often market this one as a “1.5 cubic foot” box, but the dimensions give 1.3.
• Medium (3.0 cubic feet / 85 liters): general items such as kitchenware, toys and clothes. About 18×18×16 inches.
• Large (4.5 cubic feet / 127 liters): light bulky items such as pillows, linens and lampshades. About 18×18×24 inches.
• Wardrobe boxes: for hanging clothes. About 24×20×48 inches. Typically need 1 per 2 feet of closet space.
• Dish pack boxes: extra protection for fragile items. Similar to medium but thicker walls.

Typical distribution of the general boxes:

• Small: 30%
• Medium: 40%
• Large: 20%
• Specialty such as dish packs and picture boxes: 10%

Wardrobe boxes sit outside that split and are counted separately, because they are driven by how much hanging space you have rather than by the size of the home. A studio with a walk-in closet needs more of them than a two-bedroom with two narrow rails.

Packing style adjustments:

• Minimalist (fewer belongings, decluttered): reduce estimate by 20-30%
• Average: use base estimate
• Collector/pack rat (lots of stuff): increase by 20-40%

Other packing supplies needed (per 50 boxes):

• Packing tape: 3-5 rolls
• Packing paper: 5-10 pounds (2.3-4.5 kg)
• Bubble wrap: 1 roll (100 feet / 30 m)
• Markers: 2-3 (for labeling)
• Box cutter: 1-2

Pro tip: Always get 10-15% more boxes than you think you need. Having extra is much better than running out mid-pack.