That comes out at about 34 boxes: 15 small, 10 medium, 6 large, 2 wardrobe and 1 dish pack, about $99 of boxes and a 12 ft truck. A studio needs about 24 boxes.
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 for a 1 bedroom apartment?
About 30–40 boxes for an average household, more if you have lots of books or kitchen gear.
How many boxes for a studio apartment?
About 20–25 boxes.
Do I need to book the elevator?
Many buildings require it. Ask the building manager for a time slot and padding at both ends.
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.