How Many Boxes Do You Re ally Need for Moving

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. And when it comes to moving, getting started usually means staring at your stuff and asking, “how many boxes do you need for moving?” 

It’s one of the most common and surprisingly tricky questions people face before a big move.

Whether you’re packing up a tiny studio or a spacious 3-bedroom house, the number of boxes you’ll need depends on your lifestyle, how much you’ve accumulated, how organized you are, and how efficiently you pack.

On average, Americans use anywhere from 20 to 100+ boxes. According to industry experts, a 1-bedroom apartment typically needs around 20 to 40 boxes, while a 3-bedroom house might require 80 to 100 boxes or more.

No wonder people turn to Google, asking things like, How many moving boxes do I need for a 3-bedroom house, or looking up tools like a moving box calculator.

In this guide, we will discuss how many wardrobe boxes are required for a move, or how to estimate boxes when relocating.

Why Estimating Box Count Matters

When you’re getting ready to move, it might seem like the number of boxes is just a detail you’ll figure out along the way. But estimating your box count ahead of time can make or break your move.

Let’s look at why it’s so important to get it right:

It Helps You Stay Organized

Knowing how many boxes you’ll need means you can pack room by room with a plan. You won’t have to stop midway through the kitchen and run to the store because you’re short five medium boxes.

You Can Avoid Overspending

Boxes aren’t free, especially if you’re buying new ones. By having a realistic estimate, you’re less likely to overspend on things you don’t actually need. That includes extra packing supplies, too.

It Prevents Last-Minute Stress

Running out of boxes when you're deep into packing is stressful. So is having piles of leftover boxes that take up space in your new place. A solid estimate helps avoid both problems and keeps you on track.

It Helps You Choose the Right Vehicle

Whether you’re renting a truck or loading up a moving container, knowing the number and size of boxes ahead of time helps you pick the right option. Overestimating could lead to wasted space (and money).

General Box Estimates by Home Size

One of the easiest ways to start planning your move is by estimating how many boxes you'll need based on the size of your home.

Below, we’ve broken it down by home size to help you get a better idea of what to expect.

These estimates are based on average U.S. households and are perfect if you're trying to estimate boxes by home size.

Studio Apartment

If you're moving out of a studio, you're likely packing a single living space that serves multiple functions: bedroom, living room, kitchen area, and maybe a small closet.

On average, you’ll need:

• 10–20 boxes in total
• About 5–7 small, 7–10 medium, and 2–3 large boxes
• 1 wardrobe box if you have hanging clothes
• A few specialty boxes for dishes or electronics

1-Bedroom Apartment

A 1-bedroom apartment typically includes a separate bedroom, a living space, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

For this kind of setup, plan to use:

• 20–40 boxes total
• Around 6–8 small, 10–15 medium, and 5–8 large boxes
• 2–4 wardrobe boxes, depending on closet size
• 1–2 dish packs for your kitchen essentials

2-Bedroom Home

Moving from a 2-bedroom home or apartment means you're working with extra closet space, more furniture, and often more people—meaning more stuff overall. In this case, you'll likely need:

• 40–65 boxes
• About 8–10 small, 15–20 medium, and 10–15 large boxes
• 3–6 wardrobe boxes
• 2–3 dish packs and possibly a few boxes for books or decorative items

3-Bedroom Home and Larger

If you're preparing for a bigger move—like from a 3-bedroom house—you’ll need to plan carefully. People often underestimate how much they own when it’s spread across multiple rooms, garages, basements, or attics.

On average, you’ll need:

• 60–100+ boxes
• Around 15–20 small, 20–30 medium, and 15–20 large boxes
• 6–10 wardrobe boxes, depending on the number of closets
• 3–5 dish packs, plus boxes for decor, toys, books, and electronics

Room-by-Room Box Estimation

Once you’ve got a general idea based on your home size, it’s time to zoom in and look at each room individually. A room-by-room approach helps you pack smarter, stay organized, and gives you a better understanding of the quantity of moving boxes by room.

Kitchen

The kitchen is often the most box-heavy room in the house. Between dishes, glassware, pantry items, appliances, and gadgets, it adds up fast.

Average Box Count:

• 5–8 medium boxes for pots, pans, and utensils
• 2–4 small boxes for canned goods and pantry items
• 2–3 dish pack boxes for glassware, plates, and fragile items
• Packing supplies like bubble wrap, packing paper, and dividers are essential here

Bedroom

Your bedroom might not seem box-heavy at first, but once you start packing clothes, linens, shoes, accessories, books, and bedside items, the number climbs quickly.

Average Box Count (per bedroom):

• 3–6 medium boxes for folded clothes, shoes, and nightstand items
• 2–4 large boxes for linens, comforters, and pillows
• 2–3 wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes (if you're wondering how many wardrobe boxes are required for a move, measure your closet space—each wardrobe box fits about 2 feet of hanging clothes)

Living Room

The living room might look tidy on the surface, but once you start packing electronics, decorations, books, and furniture accessories, you’ll find it takes more boxes than you’d expect.

Average Box Count:

• 3–5 medium boxes for books, decor, and games
• 2–3 large boxes for throw pillows, lampshades, or blankets
• 1–2 picture/mirror boxes for framed art or large photos
• 1 box for small electronics like remotes, chargers, or cables

Bathroom

Bathrooms are smaller, but they still need a few boxes—especially if you’re packing for a whole family. Items like toiletries, medicines, makeup, hair tools, and towels all need space and care when packing.

Average Box Count (per bathroom):

• 1–2 small boxes for toiletries and cleaning products
• 1 medium box for towels, rugs, or hair dryers

Home Office / Garage / Storage Areas

These areas are easy to overlook but can easily double your box count—especially if they’ve become catch-all spaces over time.

Home Office:

• 2–4 small boxes for documents, office supplies, books
• 1–2 medium boxes for monitors or desk accessories
• Consider a separate file box for important papers

Garage / Storage:

• 4–6 small to medium boxes for tools, sports gear, holiday items
• Use strong, sturdy boxes—items from garages are often heavier
• You may also need plastic bins for chemicals or sharp tools (some moving companies won’t take certain items)

Room-by-Room Moving Box Estimate

Room	Small Boxes	Medium Boxes	Large Boxes	Specialty Boxes	Notes
Kitchen	2–4	5–8	0–1	2–3 Dish Packs	Fragile items need padding; most box-heavy room
Bedroom (per room)	0–2	3–6	2–4	2–3 Wardrobe Boxes	Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
Living Room	1–2	3–5	2–3	1–2 Picture/Mirror Boxes	Books, decor, electronics, and framed art
Bathroom (per room)	1–2	1	0	None	Keep liquids sealed to avoid leaks
Home Office	2–4	1–2	0–1	1 File Box (optional)	Important docs, electronics, and books
Garage/Storage Areas	2–3	2–4	1–2	Plastic Bins (if needed)	Often, heavier items—use durable boxes

Box Types and Sizes

Box Type	Size (approx cubic ft)	Best For
Small Box	~1.5 cu ft	Books, canned goods, tools
Medium Box	~3 cu ft	Kitchen items, toys, clothes
Large Box	~4.5 cu ft	Linens, pillows, lightweight items
Extra-Large Box	~6 cu ft	Bulky but light items
Dish Pack	~5.2 cu ft double-walled	Fragile dishes, glassware
Wardrobe Box	~11–16 cu ft	Hanging clothes
Picture/Mirror Carton	varies	Flat artwork, mirrors, frames

• Medium boxes often make up 40–70% of your total.
• Always use double-walled rated for at least 32 ECT (~200 lb. test) for safety.

Packing Tips to Reduce Box Count

Want to save time, money, and effort during your move? The key is to pack smarter—not more. These quick tips will help you cut down on the number of boxes without cutting corners.

Declutter First

Get rid of what you don’t need. Fewer items mean fewer boxes. This step alone can shave 20–30% off your total box count.

Use What You Already Own

Suitcases, storage bins, laundry baskets, and even dresser drawers can double as moving containers. This reduces your need for extra packing supplies and boxes.

Pack Efficiently

Roll clothes, nest smaller items inside bigger ones, and fill every inch. Use soft items like towels to cushion fragile things instead of extra wrapping.

Compress Bulky Items

Use vacuum or compression bags for blankets, jackets, and linens. Great for lowering the moving boxes quantity by room, especially in bedrooms.

Group Similar Items

Keep like with like to avoid creating too many half-full boxes. This helps streamline your moving box count based on square footage.

Where to Get Boxes

Once you’ve got an idea of how many boxes you need for moving, the next big question is: where do you actually get them?

Here's a breakdown of where to find the right boxes for your move, without overspending or stressing out.

Buy from Moving Supply Stores

Retailers like U-Haul, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart carry a wide variety of moving boxes in different sizes. You can choose from individual boxes or buy pre-packed moving kits based on the size of your home.

• Small box: ~$1.00
• Medium box: ~$1.50
• Large box: ~$2.00
• Wardrobe boxes: $10–15 each
• Specialty dish or glass kits: $10–20

Use a Moving Box Calculator to Order Online

Many websites offer tools like a moving box calculator to help you determine the exact number and sizes of boxes you’ll need. These tools are useful if you don’t want to over- or under-buy. Once you input your home size and packing style, they’ll recommend a set and let you order everything at once.

Find Free Boxes

You can often find free moving boxes that are still in great condition if you know where to look:

Grocery stores and liquor stores (ask for sturdy produce or wine boxes)

Big-box retailers (Costco, Target, Walmart often recycle a ton of boxes daily)

Bookstores (great for strong, small boxes)

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Nextdoor (search for “free moving boxes”)

>Office buildings or copy centers (printer paper boxes are excellent)

Ask Your Moving Company

Many professional moving companies sell or even include boxes in their packages, especially if you're hiring them for full-service packing. If you're already working with movers, ask what’s included. They might also provide an accurate estimate of boxes needed for moving, based on your inventory.

Packing Materials You’ll Also Need

Packing Material	Purpose / Use	Suggested Quantity (per 1–2 bedroom move)
Packing Tape	Seals boxes securely	4–6 rolls
Tape Dispenser	Speeds up taping, especially for many boxes	1 (optional but helpful)
Bubble Wrap	Protects fragile items like glass, decor, and electronics	100–150 feet roll
Packing Paper	Wraps dishes, glassware, and fills empty space in boxes	20–30 lbs
Furniture Pads/Blankets	Covers large furniture to prevent scratches and dents	5–10 (can rent from moving company)
Stretch Wrap	Secures drawers, doors, and soft furniture	1 roll (~1000 ft)
Labels or Markers	Helps organize boxes by room and contents	2–3 permanent markers or pre-printed labels
Ziplock Bags	Holds small parts like screws, cords, bolts	10–15 bags
Mattress Bags	Protects mattresses from dirt and moisture during the move	1 per mattress size
Corner Protectors	Shields, frames, mirrors, and glass tabletops	Optional (based on what you're moving)

Recommended Resources

• How to Find a Reputable Moving Company
• DIY vs Professional Movers: Which Option is Best for You?
• How Moving During the Holidays
• Long Distance Moving Tips