Moving Box Calculator
Estimate how many moving boxes you’ll need from your room count and how full your home is — with a breakdown across small, medium, large, and wardrobe boxes.
Boxes you’ll likely need
A planning estimate — buy about 10% extra so you’re not stuck mid-pack, and keep small boxes for heavy items (books) and large ones for light, bulky things (bedding, lampshades).
Buy the right boxes, once
Packing goes far more smoothly when the boxes are waiting before you start, in the right mix of sizes. Too many large boxes and you’ll overfill them until they’re too heavy to lift; too few and your books and kitchenware end up in bags. The split this tool gives you — weighted toward small and medium boxes, with a handful of wardrobe boxes for clothes — mirrors how a typical home actually packs.
Once you know the count, label as you go, keep a running inventory, and pack an “open first” box of essentials so your first night in the new place isn’t a treasure hunt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many moving boxes do I need?
As a rule of thumb, a lightly furnished room takes around 10 boxes, an average room about 15, and a heavily packed room closer to 22. This calculator multiplies your room count by the figure for your chosen density, then splits the total across the four common box sizes.
Which rooms should I count?
Count every space you'll actually pack: bedrooms, the living room, the kitchen, a dining room, plus any home office, den, or garage that's full of belongings. Skip bathrooms and empty rooms, or fold them into your density choice.
What's the difference between the box sizes?
Small boxes are for heavy, dense things like books and canned goods — a large box full of books is too heavy to lift safely. Medium boxes are the all-rounder. Large boxes are for light, bulky items like bedding, pillows, and lampshades. Wardrobe boxes have a hanging rail so clothes travel on their hangers.
Should I buy exactly this many?
Buy about 10% more than the estimate. Running out mid-pack is a real hassle, leftover flat boxes are easy to return or reuse, and you'll almost always find one more cupboard of stuff than you expected.
Does this include furniture and appliances?
No — this counts boxes only. Furniture, mattresses, and appliances are moved as-is or wrapped rather than boxed. To gauge the storage or truck space everything needs, use the Storage Unit Size Estimator.
A planning estimate based on typical boxes-per-room figures. Your real total depends on how much you own and how you pack — buy a little extra rather than run short.