Packing · free calculator

Moving Box Calculator

Estimate small, medium, large, wardrobe, and specialty boxes from household size and how much you own.

Your details

Calculated on this device. Your details are not uploaded.

Planning estimate

Plan for about 71 boxes

The mix keeps dense belongings in smaller boxes and reserves larger cartons for lighter, bulky items.

Small boxes
24
Medium boxes
26
Large boxes
14
Wardrobe & specialty
7

How to use it

A few inputs, one explainable answer.

  1. Count bedrooms, using zero for a studio.
  2. Enter everyone whose belongings are moving.
  3. Choose a buffer for uncertainty, closets, and forgotten storage.

Method

How the estimate works

A base box mix is estimated from bedrooms and household size, then adjusted for years of accumulation and your selected packing buffer.

Worked example

A two-bedroom home with two people, three years of accumulation, and a 12% buffer produces a planning estimate of roughly 65–75 boxes.

Assumptions & limits

What can change the result

  • A bedroom represents a normally furnished room, not a storage-filled spare room.
  • Books, dishes, and decor drive small-box counts; linens and light items drive large boxes.
  • Decluttering before packing can reduce the estimate materially.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How many boxes do I need per bedroom?

A practical starting range is 20–30 mixed boxes per bedroom, but people, storage habits, books, and kitchens can shift that considerably.

Why are there several box sizes?

Smaller boxes keep dense items liftable. Larger boxes are better for bulky, light belongings. A mixed plan is safer and easier to load.

Should I count suitcases and plastic bins?

Yes. Treat each usable suitcase or lidded bin as one box and subtract it from the closest size category.