Moving Box Calculator
Plan your packing supplies before moving day. Choose your home size and how much stuff you have to get box counts by size, plus tape, packing paper, bubble wrap and a moving truck size.
Total boxes
How to estimate moving boxes
- Choose the number of bedrooms and people in your household.
- Pick how much stuff you have and how many books, since books need lots of small boxes.
- Use the counts as a shopping list; buy a few extra of the sizes you use most.
Packing tips that save boxes and backs
Use small boxes for heavy things (books, tools, canned food) and large boxes for light, bulky items. A large box full of books can top 60 pounds and is likely to break. Aim to keep every box under about 50 pounds.
Wardrobe boxes let you move hanging clothes straight from closet to closet, and double-walled dish packs with cell dividers protect glasses and plates. Pack plates on their edges, not flat, and fill gaps with paper so nothing shifts.
Label every box on two sides with the room and contents, and pack an open-first box with essentials: chargers, toiletries, medications, a change of clothes, basic tools, toilet paper and bedding. Truck sizes are rough guides; furniture-heavy homes may need the next size up.
Need a different tool? Suggest it here — we read every message.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes do I need for a 2-bedroom apartment?
Typically 60–90 boxes of various sizes, depending on how much you own and how many books you have.
Where can I get free moving boxes?
Grocery and liquor stores, local buy-nothing groups and online marketplaces often have them.
What size truck for a 3-bedroom house?
Usually a 20–22 foot truck; homes with lots of furniture may need a 26 foot truck.
How much tape do I need?
About one roll per 15–20 boxes, plus a spare.