Free packing calculator
Moving box calculator: how many boxes do I need?
Tell us about your home and how much you own, and get an estimate of the small, medium, large, extra-large, wardrobe and dish-pack boxes to buy, plus tape and packing paper.
Your home
Boxes you need
Total moving boxes
60
About 210 ft³ of boxes
| Box | Size | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 16 × 12 × 12 in | 16 |
| Medium | 18 × 18 × 16 in | 24 |
| Large | 18 × 18 × 24 in | 12 |
| Extra-large | 24 × 18 × 24 in | 3 |
| Wardrobe | 24 × 24 × 40 in | 2 |
| Dish pack | 18 × 18 × 28 in | 3 |
Packing tape
6 rolls
Packing paper
18 lb
A planning estimate from typical room contents. Buy a few extra small boxes: heavy items are easier to carry in small ones.
Shipping boxes instead of moving them?
Compare discounted USPS, UPS and FedEx rates for boxes you send ahead, or LTL freight for pallets.
How to estimate moving boxes
Count your rooms
Choose bedrooms and bathrooms, and add a home office, dining room or garage if you are packing them.Be honest about how much you own
Choose Minimal, Average or A lot. Full closets, bookshelves and kitchens add up quickly.Buy a few extra
Get some spare small boxes; it is easier than running out on moving day.
Moving box FAQ
- How many boxes do I need to move?
- As a rough guide, a studio needs 20 to 30 boxes, a two-bedroom home 50 to 70 and a four-bedroom home well over 100, depending on how much you own. The calculator builds the estimate room by room and adjusts for how much stuff you have.
- What size moving boxes should I use?
- Put heavy items such as books in small boxes, everyday items in medium boxes and light, bulky things such as bedding in large boxes. Keep each box light enough to carry safely, generally under 50 lb.
- Do I need wardrobe boxes and dish packs?
- Wardrobe boxes let clothes travel on hangers, roughly two feet of closet rod per box. Dish packs are double-walled with dividers for plates and glasses. They are optional but save repacking and breakage.
- How much packing tape do I need?
- Plan on about one roll of tape for every ten boxes, taping the bottom seam and edges of each box.
- Can I ship boxes instead of moving them?
- Yes. For a few boxes, shipping by USPS Ground Advantage, UPS Ground or FedEx Ground can be cheaper than renting space, and pallets of boxes can ship LTL. Compare rates with the shipping calculator.
Sending boxes ahead?
Compare discounted USPS, UPS and FedEx rates for boxes, or LTL freight for pallets.
Free tools
More free packing calculators
Box Size Calculator
Find the smallest box for your items, its DIM weight and Flat Rate boxes that fit.
Cubic Feet Calculator
Get cubic feet, cubic meters and freight density for boxes, cylinders and shipments.
Dimensional Weight Calculator
Find the billable DIM weight carriers will charge before the invoice lands.
Pallet Calculator
How many cartons fit on a pallet, layer by layer, within height and weight limits.
Want us to find the money leaking out of your shipping? Get a free profit-leak audit.
Request a free auditThis is a planning estimate based on typical room contents, not a quote from a moving company. Your actual needs depend on what you own and how you pack.