A typical 2 bedroom home with two people needs about 55 boxes: 25 small, 15 medium, 10 large, 3 wardrobe and 2 dish packs, about $158 of boxes and a 16 ft truck.
How the moving box calculator works
MovingBoxCalc starts from typical box counts published by movers for an average household with about one person per bedroom, from 24 boxes for a studio to about 125 for a five-bedroom house. Minimal packers get 20% fewer boxes and people with lots of belongings 30% more. Each person beyond the number of bedrooms adds 10% to the small, medium and large boxes. Every count is rounded up. Supplies follow from the total: one roll of packing tape per 20 boxes, 0.4 lb of packing paper per box and a couple of markers. The cost uses the box prices you enter, which default to typical retail prices, and the truck size comes from the home size.
Moving boxes by home size (average packing)
| Home | Small | Medium | Large | Wardrobe | Dish | Total | Truck |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 10 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 10 ft truck |
| 1 bedroom | 15 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 34 | 12 ft truck |
| 2 bedrooms | 25 | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 55 | 16 ft truck |
| 3 bedrooms | 35 | 25 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 79 | 20 ft truck |
| 4 bedrooms | 45 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 98 | 26 ft truck |
| 5+ bedrooms | 55 | 40 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 125 | 26 ft truck plus a trailer or a second trip |
Moving box sizes
| Box | Size | Best for | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 16 × 12 × 12 in (1.5 cu ft) | books, tools, canned food | $1.50 |
| Medium | 18 × 18 × 16 in (3 cu ft) | kitchen items, toys, electronics | $2.25 |
| Large | 18 × 18 × 24 in (4.5 cu ft) | bedding, pillows, lampshades | $3.00 |
| Wardrobe | 24 × 20 × 34 in, with hanging bar | hanging clothes | $15.00 |
| Dish pack | 18 × 18 × 28 in, double-wall | plates, glasses, fragile items | $6.00 |
Counts are estimates for planning and buying supplies. Keep heavy items in small boxes, label every box with its room, and buy a few extra: unused boxes from most stores can be returned.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes do I need to move?
Roughly 25 for a studio, 35 for a 1 bedroom, 55 for 2 bedrooms, 80 for 3 bedrooms and about 100 for 4 bedrooms, more if you have lots of belongings.
What size moving boxes do I need most?
Small and medium boxes. Small boxes keep heavy things like books manageable; large boxes are for light, bulky items.
Where can I get moving boxes?
Home improvement stores, truck rental companies, local buy-nothing groups and liquor or grocery stores for free sturdy boxes.
Is MovingBoxCalc free?
Yes, with no sign-up or ads, and your numbers stay in your browser.
Are the counts exact?
No. They are planning estimates. Homes vary a lot, so buy a few extra boxes or check the store’s return policy.