Moving box guide
How many moving boxes do you actually need?
Most homes need roughly 20 to 135 boxes, but home size alone is a weak predictor. Kitchens, books, closets, garages, and how long you have lived there matter more.
Start by room, not square footage
A lightly furnished two-bedroom apartment may use fewer boxes than a book-filled one-bedroom. Count the rooms and storage areas you will actually pack, then apply a range.
| Room | Typical starting range | What pushes it higher |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | 8–13 | Books, shoes, linens, two wardrobes |
| Kitchen | 12–20 | Fragile dishes, pantry, small appliances |
| Living room | 6–11 | Media, decor, books, toys |
| Home office | 7–12 | Paper files, equipment, books |
| Garage / storage | 8–22 | Tools, seasonal items, long residence |
Use the right box mix
- Small: books, canned goods, tools, records, and dense items.
- Medium: general kitchenware, toys, folded clothes, and small appliances.
- Large: pillows, lampshades, comforters, and light bulky goods.
- Wardrobe: hanging clothes that should stay on hangers.
- Dish: fragile kitchenware needing stronger walls and dividers.
Buy in two rounds
Order or collect about two-thirds of the estimated range. Pack a representative section of the home, compare actual use with the estimate, then make a smaller second order. This reduces waste without forcing a late-night scramble.
What this guide cannot know
No calculator can see unusually large collections, fragile art, professional equipment, or the way your furniture disassembles. Treat the result as a planning range and ask a mover for an in-person or video walkthrough when fit, weight, access, or liability matters.