About This Calculator
This calculator uses standard packing estimates for each room type. A kitchen typically needs the most small boxes (for dishes and glassware), while bedrooms need more medium boxes for clothing and linens.
Box size guide
- Small (1.5 cu ft): Books, canned goods, tools, dishes
- Medium (3 cu ft): Clothing, linens, pots and pans
- Large (4.5 cu ft): Pillows, comforters, lampshades
- Extra-large (6 cu ft): Duvets, large pillows, light bulky items
Packing tips
- Don't overload large boxes — heavy items always go in small boxes.
- Label every box on the top and side with contents and destination room.
- Buy 10–15% more boxes than estimated — it's easier to return unused ones.
Frequently asked questions
How does this moving box calculator estimate how many boxes I need?
The moving box calculator uses typical packing data for each room type — a kitchen needs many small boxes for dishes while a bedroom needs more medium boxes for clothing — then totals everything by box size.
What size moving boxes should I use?
Use small boxes (1.5 cu ft) for heavy items like books and canned goods, medium (3 cu ft) for clothing and linens, large (4.5 cu ft) for light bulky items, and extra-large (6 cu ft) for duvets and pillows.
How many extra boxes should I buy?
Buy about 10–15% more boxes than estimated. Unused flat boxes are easy to return, but running out partway through packing is a real headache.
How Many Boxes by Home Size
These estimates are based on a typical amount of belongings for each home size. Enter your specific rooms into the calculator above for a more accurate count.
How many boxes for a studio apartment?
A studio typically needs 30–50 boxes total: roughly 15–20 small (books, kitchen items), 10–15 medium (clothing, linens), and 5–10 large (bedding, lamps). Studios are light on furniture but can have surprisingly full closets and kitchens — pack kitchen items first and budget extra small boxes for dishes and glassware.
How many boxes for a 2-bedroom apartment?
Budget 60–80 boxes for a two-bedroom apartment: about 20–25 small, 25–30 medium, 15–20 large, and 5 extra-large for comforters and bulky items. Add 10–15% extra and return what you don't use — most moving supply stores accept unopened boxes. Two-bedroom apartments average about 1,000–1,200 sq ft of stuff, so start packing non-essentials 2 weeks before the move.
How many boxes for a 3-bedroom house?
A three-bedroom house typically needs 100–150 boxes depending on how long you've lived there and how much has accumulated. A rough breakdown: 30–40 small, 40–50 medium, 20–30 large, and 10–15 extra-large. Families with kids should add 20–30% more for toys, books, and sports gear. Enter each room into the calculator above and let it add up the totals by box size automatically.