Enter your rooms and get a free instant estimate — no guesswork, no mid-move supply runs.
Open full calculator →The most reliable way to estimate boxes is by room, not by home size. Home size gives you a starting point — a studio typically needs 20–30 boxes, a 3-bedroom house needs 80–100 — but the actual number depends much more on what's in each room. A minimalist 2-bedroom apartment and a heavily furnished 2-bedroom house with a packed garage can differ by 50+ boxes.
Box size matters as much as box count. Small boxes (1.5 cubic feet) should hold heavy items like books, tools, and canned food — these boxes get heavy fast and small is the right call. Medium boxes (3 cu ft) handle most household items: kitchenware, clothing, toys, and decor. Large boxes (4.5–6 cu ft) are only appropriate for light, bulky items like pillows and comforters. Packing books in large boxes is the most common moving mistake — they become impossible to lift.
Always add 10–20% to your estimate for the items that don't fit neatly into a room category: the garage overflow, the stuff under the bed, and the items that multiply inexplicably as you pack. Running out of boxes the evening before a move is far more stressful than having a few left over.
The guides below cover the most common move sizes with room-by-room breakdowns and box type recommendations.
Room-by-room guides with exact box counts, packing tips, and supply lists.
The full formula — average box counts by home size, room type, and how to avoid running out mid-pack.
Read guide → Move size guideMost 1-bedroom moves need 30–40 boxes. Get the room-by-room breakdown and a box type checklist.
Read guide → Move size guideA 2-bedroom home typically needs 60–80 boxes. See the full breakdown including garage and storage rooms.
Read guide → Room guideThe kitchen takes the most time to pack. Find out exactly what box sizes you need for dishes, appliances, and pantry items.
Read guide →A 2-bedroom home typically needs 60–80 boxes. The range depends on how much you've accumulated, whether you have a garage or basement, and how many books and kitchen items are involved. The kitchen alone usually needs 10–15 boxes; each bedroom averages 8–12.
Use small boxes (1.5 cu ft) for heavy items like books, tools, and canned goods. Use medium boxes (3 cu ft) for most household items. Use large boxes (4.5–6 cu ft) only for light, bulky items like pillows and comforters. Packing heavy items in large boxes is one of the most common moving mistakes.
Free boxes from grocery or liquor stores work fine for most items. Buy new boxes for fragile items where structural integrity matters. Liquor store boxes are especially good for glassware because of their dividers. Budget for at least 20–30% of your total to be purpose-built moving boxes.
A medium kitchen needs 10–15 boxes: 3–5 small boxes for heavy pantry items, 4–6 medium boxes for cookware and dishes, and 2–3 for appliances and miscellaneous. A large, well-stocked kitchen can need 20+ boxes.
Start packing non-essential items 4–6 weeks before your move: seasonal items, books, and decor. Pack everyday items 1–2 weeks out. Leave daily essentials for the last 1–2 days. Packing in stages reduces stress and spreads out the cost of supplies.
Wardrobe boxes are worth it for clothes you can't fold — suits, formal wear, dresses, and winter coats. For a typical closet, 1–2 wardrobe boxes is enough. Regular clothes can be packed in large boxes layered flat or rolled.