Your supply list
What else to buy
- Packing tape4 rolls
- Packing paperabout 15 lb
- Markers2
- Box labels44
- Furniture pads6
- Mattress bags3
Free moving planner
Know what you need before moving day.
Get a clear box count, packing supplies list and timeline in under a minute. No account. No confusing questions.
Instant estimate One plan for all tools Easy to change
One simple plan
Tell us about your move
Your likely packing list
40 boxes
for a 2 bedrooms with 2 people
Compact30You own less
Likely40A typical home
Roomy50You own more
Box sizes
Small11
Medium16
Large8
Wardrobe2
Dish pack3
141.5 cu ft of packed-box volume. Furniture and empty space are not included.
Leave yourself a little breathing room.
This is a planning estimate, not a promise that everything will fit. Buy a few boxes at a time if returns are difficult.
Your packing timeline
Start 4 weeks before
- 4 weeks before
Start with things you rarely use
- 2 weeks before
Pack one room at a time
- 2 weeks before
Pack most of the kitchen
- 1 week before
Make one easy-to-find essentials box
- Moving day
Keep medicine, papers and chargers with you
A practical starting point
How many moving boxes will you need?
There is no perfect number for every home. That is why the calculator gives you a compact, likely and roomy estimate instead of pretending one exact number is always right.
Studio18Typical range 15–23
1 bedroom24Typical range 18–30
2 bedrooms40Typical range 30–50
3 bedrooms56Typical range 42–70
4 bedrooms80Typical range 60–100
5+ bedrooms110Typical range 83–138
These totals include small, medium, large, wardrobe and dish-pack boxes. They are planning estimates based on public mover and box-supplier guides.
Three simple steps
A moving plan that stays easy
Describe your home
Pick the home size, number of people and how much stuff you own.
See one joined-up plan
Your box, truck and storage estimates use the same answers.
Check before you book
Compare the next size up when furniture is bulky or space is tight.
Keep planning
Moving truck sizeCompare common truck classesStorage unit sizeLeave space for accessUse the same answers for your whole move
How the estimate works
Clear assumptions, not magic numbers
We start with a typical box mix for your home size. Then we adjust it for the number of people and the amount of belongings. Books add small, strong boxes. Hanging clothes and fragile kitchen items adjust wardrobe and dish-pack boxes.
Medium boxes make up about 40% of the central mix. Packed-box volume is shown separately because furniture, appliances and gaps take extra room in a truck or storage unit.
Important: use the result as a shopping and comparison guide. Box dimensions and how well items stack differ.
Common questions
Moving box calculator FAQ
How many boxes do I need to move?
A typical move may use about 18 boxes for a studio, 24 for one bedroom, 40 for two bedrooms, 56 for three bedrooms and 80 for four bedrooms. Your amount of belongings, books, clothes and fragile items can move the estimate up or down.
How many boxes do I need for a 3-bedroom house?
Our central planning estimate is about 56 boxes: 16 small, 22 medium, 11 large, 3 wardrobe and 4 dish-pack boxes. A lighter home may need around 42, while a fuller home can need around 70 or more.
What size moving boxes should I buy?
Use small boxes for books and heavy items, medium boxes for most household goods, large boxes for light bulky items, wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes and dish packs for fragile kitchenware. Several sizes are easier to carry and stack than one size alone.
When should I start packing?
Start about three weeks before a studio or one-bedroom move, four weeks for two bedrooms, six weeks for three or four bedrooms and eight weeks for a larger home. Begin with things you rarely use.
Sources and limits
Our model is calibrated against public moving-box guidance and common published product sizes. Reference sources include U-Haul's box guide, MoveBuddha's packing methodology and U-Haul's moving checklist. Retail sizes and recommendations can change. We do not sell boxes or take payment from providers.