Moving Boxes Calculator
Estimate how many small, medium and large moving boxes you need from your home size and how much stuff you own.
How it works
Boxes ≈ (bedrooms × 10 + people × 6 + 8) × stuff factor · split 35% small / 40% medium / 25% large
Movers size a job by rooms and household size rather than square footage, because a packed bedroom holds far more than an empty spare room. Small boxes carry dense, heavy items like books and dishes so they stay liftable, while large boxes take bulky-but-light things like bedding and lampshades. Buy about 10% more than the estimate — running short mid-pack is far more disruptive than a couple of leftover flats.
Worked example
A 2-bedroom home with 2 people and an average amount of stuff: 2 × 10 + 2 × 6 + 8 = 40 boxes at factor 1.0. That splits into about 14 small, 16 medium and 10 large boxes.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes do I really need to move?
A studio or 1-bedroom typically needs 20-30 boxes, a 2-bedroom 40-50, and a 3-bedroom 60-80, before wardrobe and specialty boxes. The exact number depends heavily on how much you own, so use the "stuff" setting to bias the estimate up or down.
Should I use more small or large boxes?
Use more small and medium boxes than large ones. Heavy items go in small boxes so nobody strains lifting them; large boxes are reserved for light, bulky things. A common rule is to keep any single box under about 40 pounds.
Where can I get moving boxes cheaply?
Liquor and grocery stores give away sturdy boxes, and buy-nothing groups often have free moving boxes from recent movers. New uniform boxes stack and travel better, so many people mix free boxes for odd items with a set of bought ones for the bulk.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.