How Many Boxes Do I Need to Move?
The fastest answer is by home size. The most accurate one counts what you own: shelves of books, kitchen cabinets, closet rods and drawers.
Loading the calculator…
The quick answer
For an average household: a studio takes about 21 boxes, a one-bedroom about 36, a two-bedroom about 61, a three-bedroom about 91 and a four-bedroom about 126. That includes wardrobe and dish-pack boxes. If you own a lot of books, a home gym or a workshop, add more.
Count by contents
Choose a home size above to load a typical set of contents, then edit each number. A foot of books fills about half a small box. Each kitchen cabinet is about a medium box and half a dish pack. Two feet of closet rod is a wardrobe box. The calculator adds up the boxes by type and then the tape, paper and wrap to go with them.
Walk through each room with the form open, and count instead of guessing. Garages and attics hide the most boxes.
Before you buy
- Donate or toss first. Every box you skip costs nothing to carry.
- Buy boxes a few weeks ahead and pack the rooms you use least first.
- Keep a box of daily things for the first night and label it.
Related: moving box calculator by home size, truck size calculator.
Questions
How many boxes do I need for a 1 bedroom apartment?
About 36 with a standard amount of belongings, or fewer if you are a light packer.
How many boxes for a 3 bedroom house?
About 91 for an average household, more with a garage full of tools.
Which boxes should I buy first?
Small and medium boxes. They carry most things, and the wardrobe and dish-pack boxes are a small share.
Do I need special boxes for dishes?
A dish pack is stronger and holds plates safely. Medium boxes work with enough paper between pieces.