How many moving boxes do I need?
By Nicki Escudero•Last updated Apr 15, 2024
Last updated Apr 15, 2024
For many people, moving is one of the most stressful events they can experience. There's a lot to do, and the last thing you want to add to your list is buying more boxes than you originally planned for.
Not sure how many boxes you need? Well, it depends on various factors. We'll explain how to estimate the number of boxes you need based on your space, your belongings, and your home type.
Understanding moving box types and sizes
First, it’s important to understand the different types of moving box sizes.
Extra small boxes (15 x 12 x 10 inches), ideal for:
- Tools
- Books
- Collectibles
Small boxes (16 x 12 x 12 inches), ideal for:
- Books
- Glasses
- Dishes
- Small appliances
- Collectibles
- Magazines
- DVDs
- Canned food
Medium boxes (18 x 18 x 15 inches; 22 x 16 x 15 inches; or 3 cubic feet), ideal for most household items, including:
- Office supplies
- Photo albums
- Home decor
- Small appliances
- Toys
- Records
Large boxes (18 x 18 x 24 inches; or 4.5 cubic feet), ideal for bulky items, like:
- Pillows
- Comforters
- Linens
- Large dishes
- Board games
- Vases
Extra-large boxes (22 x 22 x 21.5 inches), ideal for bulky items like:
- Blankets
- Towels
- Pillows
There are also specialty packing boxes, such as:
- Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Dish barrel boxes with cell dividers to separate individual dishes and glasses. These boxes typically have a heavy-duty design to protect fragile items.
- TV boxes for flat-screen TVs of varying sizes
- Mirror and picture boxes, which you can also use for art pieces
- Book boxes, which are made specifically for small yet heavy books
Calculate how many moving boxes you really need
The Home Depot has a handy moving box calculator that helps you understand how many boxes you might need based on your space. Follow these steps:
- Select what type of space you're moving out of.
- Select how many bedrooms you're moving.
- Enter how many mattresses you're moving.
- Select which additional rooms you're moving (if any).
- Enter how many TVs or art pieces you're transporting.
You will get a list of the moving materials you need. You'll also receive an estimate of how many boxes of each size you should get.
Here are three examples the calculator gave me:
Example A: Moving items out of 1 bedroom and a kitchen from a house with 0 mattresses and 1 80" TV.
- 1 heavy-duty TV moving box
- 1 small moving box with handles
- 7 heavy-duty small moving boxes with handles
- 5 medium moving boxes with handles
- 10 heavy-duty medium moving boxes with handles
- 1 large heavy-duty moving box with handles
- 7 extra-large moving boxes with handles
Example B: Moving items out of 2 bedrooms, a family room, and a dining room from an apartment/condo, with 1 queen mattress and 1 40" TV.
- 1 heavy-duty TV moving box
- 1 small moving box with handles
- 8 heavy-duty small moving boxes with handles
- 6 medium moving boxes with handles
- 12 heavy-duty medium moving boxes with handles
- 1 large moving box with handles
Example C: Moving items out of 4 bedrooms, a kitchen, a family room, a dining room, a home office, and a garage from a house, with 1 king mattress, 2 twin mattresses, 1 40" TV, and 1 70" TV.
- 4 heavy-duty TV moving boxes
- 2 small moving boxes with handles
- 1 heavy-duty small moving box with handles
- 20 medium moving boxes with handles
- 23 heavy-duty medium moving boxes with handles
- 2 large moving boxes with handles
- 1 heavy-duty large moving box with handles
- 30 extra-large moving boxes with handles
- 2 heavy-duty extra-large moving boxes with handles
The Home Depot isn't the only one that has a moving box calculator. Check out these online resources as well:
- CNET's moving box calculator will help you find the number of boxes you might need based on square footage.
- Moving.com's packing and moving box calculator to see how many boxes and other supplies you should get, including markers and bubble wrap.
- U-Haul's moving supplies calculator also gives recommendations for packing supplies, like tape and packing paper.
Still not sure how many boxes you need? Ask a pro
If you already plan to hire professionals to help with your move, ask them to estimate how many boxes you might need.
Many moving services offer packing supplies. You may need to pay a fee, or they may offer them as a complementary add-on. Some movers may also allow you to use their boxes for free as long as you return them within a specific time frame.
Hire movers to help with boxes and packing
Finalizing your moving supplies list gets you a step closer to closing the door on your old home and moving to your next one. Accurately estimate how many boxes and packing supplies you'll need. This way, you can avoid over-buying — or scrambling to find more boxes at the last minute.
Make moving less stressful by leaving the packing to the professionals. Many movers offer supplies and packing services in addition to loading and transporting goods. Download the Thumbtack app today to find a top-rated mover near you.
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