How Many Boxes Do I Need to Move?

Your home’s size will determine the number of moving boxes you need

Father and daughter sitting on the floor surrounded by cardboard boxes
Photo: Oscar Wong / Moment / Getty Images
Father and daughter sitting on the floor surrounded by cardboard boxes
Photo: Oscar Wong / Moment / Getty Images
Catherine Hiles
Written by Catherine Hiles
Contributing Writer
Updated Jun 10, 2025
Highlights

  • Most moves require 10 to 220 boxes, depending on home size.

  • A 3-bedroom house may need 80 to 120 boxes.

  • Small boxes hold 1.5 cubic feet; wardrobe boxes hold up to 16.

  • Packing style and household size determine the number of boxes you’ll need.

  • Movers can help estimate box needs for a stress-free move.

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Moving to a new home is an exciting yet stressful process. As you calculate your moving costs, you’ll need to budget for an unexciting but necessary expense: moving boxes. But how many boxes do you need? The answer depends on the size of your home and the number of belongings you have. This guide will help you estimate the number of boxes you need for your move.

How Many Boxes Do You Need For Your Move?

The number of boxes you need for a move depends on the size and type of your home, as well as the quantity and size of your belongings. Here’s the average number of boxes you’ll need for your move.

Home TypeNumber of Boxes Needed
Studio apartment10–35
1-bedroom apartment20–45
2-bedroom apartment40–65
2-bedroom house60–90
3-bedroom house80–120
4-bedroom house100–140
5-bedroom house140–180
6-bedroom house180–220
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Calculating How Many Moving Boxes You Need

Whether you’re hiring movers or renting a moving truck, you’ll need to calculate the number of boxes you need. Follow this formula to get a rough estimate.

Number of Boxes = Amount of Belongings / Size of Boxes

For example, if you have 180 cubic feet of items and are using 3-cubic-foot boxes, you’d need 60 boxes.

How to Measure for Moving Boxes

Stacks of cardboard boxes in a living room
Photo: SeventyFour / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Much of calculating the number of boxes you need is estimating. Learning how to pack moving boxes to maximize space while protecting your belongings can help you minimize the number of boxes you need. Here’s how to determine the approximate number of boxes you’ll need for your move:

  • Note the square footage and number of bedrooms you have in your home.

  • Consider the number of inhabitants, your lifestyle, and your packing style.

  • Go room by room and note the estimated number of boxes you think you’ll need, listing them by size.

  • Add up the total for each room to get the total number of moving boxes you’ll need.

For example, a 3-bedroom home with two adults and two children might require 19 small boxes, 28 medium boxes, 28 large boxes, 12 dish barrel boxes, and 10 wardrobe boxes, totaling 100 moving boxes. Be sure to label the moving boxes carefully so that there’s no guesswork involved once you reach your destination.

Box TypeBox Capacity
Small packing box1.5 cubic feet
Medium packing box1.3–3 cubic feet
Large packing box2.5–3.5 cubic feet
Extra-large packaging box3.6+ cubic feet
Book box1 cubic foot
Dish barrel box5.25 cubic feet
Wardrobe box11–16 cubic feet
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Who to Hire for a Move

For a small or local move, you might prefer to rent a moving truck, enlist a few friends, and move yourself. However, if you’re moving long-distance or have a large home with a considerable amount of belongings, hiring labor for moving may be a better choice. There are many local and national moving companies to choose from, so be sure to shop around to find the best deal.

Hiring movers costs between $900 and $2,600, depending on the distance of your move and the size of your home. However, you might consider that cost worth it for the time savings you’ll enjoy during an already stressful life event.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are many places to get moving boxes, so it’s worthwhile to shop around and compare prices. Try big-box stores such as Walmart, as well as home improvement stores such as Lowe’s and The Home Depot. You can also try specialty places such as U-Haul or Office Depot. Finally, check online at Amazon or ask your friends or family if they have any spare moving boxes they could lend you.

The number of boxes you need to move depends on the size of their house and whether your style is minimalist or maximalist. However, on average, most people need around 60 boxes to move. It’s essential to pick the correct box sizes to ensure efficient packing.

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Learn more about our contributor
Catherine Hiles
Written by Catherine Hiles
Contributing Writer
Catherine is a content writer specializing in home improvement, home finance, and personal finance. She is passionate about making complex topics more digestible for the average reader. Catherine’s work can be found on BobVila.com and TIME Stamped, among others.

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