Moving Box Estimate Calculator
Estimate moving boxes needed by home size and room count.
Returns small, medium, and large box count plus estimated tape and packing supply quantities.
Boxes Needed
Moving box estimates are based on home size and typical belongings per room type.
Average box count by home size:
| Home Size | Small Boxes | Medium Boxes | Large Boxes | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 10 | 8 | 5 | 23 |
| 1 Bedroom | 15 | 12 | 8 | 35 |
| 2 Bedroom | 25 | 20 | 12 | 57 |
| 3 Bedroom | 35 | 30 | 18 | 83 |
| 4 Bedroom | 50 | 40 | 25 | 115 |
| 5+ Bedroom | 65 | 55 | 35 | 155 |
Box sizes:
- Small (1.5 cu ft): Books, CDs, heavy items, kitchen items
- Medium (3.0 cu ft): Pots, pans, small appliances, toys, shoes
- Large (4.5 cu ft): Linens, pillows, lampshades, clothing
- Wardrobe: Hanging clothes (estimate 1 per closet)
- Dish barrel: Fragile dishes and glassware
Tips:
- Get 10–15% extra boxes — they are cheap insurance
- Use small boxes for heavy items (books, tools) so they are not too heavy to lift
- Start packing non-essentials 3–4 weeks before moving day
- Liquor stores and bookstores are good sources for free sturdy boxes