Moving Boxes Calculator
Work out exactly how many small, medium, large and wardrobe boxes — plus tape — a move needs, based on typical box counts per room type. Add your own prices for a full cost estimate — nothing here uses a stale national average.
How this calculator works
Each room type has a typical box breakdown by size, based on what commonly comes out of a room that size. The calculator multiplies each room type's count by its table row and sums everything:
bedroom: 5 small, 10 medium, 2 large, 1 wardrobe kitchen: 10 small, 15 medium, 5 large living room: 5 small, 8 medium, 4 large bathroom: 3 small, 3 medium garage/storage: 5 small, 5 medium, 8 large totals = sum(count × per-room-type table) across all room types tape_rolls = ceil(total_boxes / 5)
These are general averages, not a measurement of your specific belongings — a heavily furnished or cluttered room will need more boxes than the table suggests, and a sparsely furnished one will need fewer.
Worked example
A 2 bedroom apartment: 2 bedrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 living room, 1 bathroom:
- Small: (2×5) + (1×10) + (1×5) + (1×3) = 28.
- Medium: (2×10) + (1×15) + (1×8) + (1×3) = 46.
- Large: (2×2) + (1×5) + (1×4) + (1×0) = 13.
- Wardrobe: (2×1) = 2.
- Total boxes: 28 + 46 + 13 + 2 = 89. Tape: ceil(89 ÷ 5) = 18 rolls.
At $1.50 per small box, $2 per medium, $3 per large, $12 per wardrobe, and $4 per tape roll, that example totals roughly$269.
Box counts by room type
| Room type | Small | Medium | Large | Wardrobe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | 5 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Kitchen | 10 | 15 | 5 | — |
| Living room | 5 | 8 | 4 | — |
| Bathroom | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Garage / storage | 5 | 5 | 8 | — |
How much do moving boxes cost?
Rather than quoting a national average that's stale the day it's published, this calculator prices the job from what you actually enter. Give a price per box size and per tape roll, and each is itemized and totaled. The estimate doesn't include packing paper, bubble wrap, or specialty boxes for items like mirrors or TVs.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes does a 2-bedroom apartment need?
For a typical 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 kitchen, 1 living room apartment, this calculator's table works out to roughly 89 boxes total — 28 small, 46 medium, 13 large and 2 wardrobe — plus about 18 rolls of tape.
What goes in a small vs large box?
Small boxes suit heavy, dense items like books and tools. Medium boxes are the most versatile for general household items. Large boxes suit bulky but lightweight items like linens and pillows, since heavy items in a large box get too awkward to carry.
How much tape is actually needed?
About 1 roll per 5 boxes is a reasonable rule of thumb, covering bottom reinforcement and top sealing plus occasional repairs. Round up if your load skews toward larger, heavier boxes.
Do movers supply boxes, and is it worth it?
Many moving companies offer boxes as an add-on or packing package, and some offer buy-back or reusable bin rentals. It's often more convenient, especially for fragile items, but usually pricier than sourcing boxes yourself.