One of the most common questions we hear when someone’s preparing for a move is: “How many moving boxes do I need?” It’s a great question—and an important one. Having too few boxes can cause last-minute stress, while too many might feel like overkill. Let’s break it down so you can plan with confidence and avoid the classic moving-day scramble.
It Depends on the Size of Your Home
The number of boxes you’ll need mostly depends on the size of your current space and how much stuff you own. Here’s a rough estimate to help guide you:
| Home Size | Small Boxes | Medium Boxes | Large Boxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartment | 10–12 | 8–10 | 4–6 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | 12–15 | 10–12 | 6–8 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | 20–25 | 15–20 | 10–12 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | 30–35 | 25–30 | 15–20 |
| 4+ Bedroom Home | 40–50 | 35–45 | 20–25 |
These numbers are general guidelines. If you’ve been in your space for a long time or tend to hold onto things (you know who you are!), you might need more boxes than someone who keeps it minimalist.
Factor in Specialty Boxes
In addition to standard small, medium, and large boxes, you may need a few specialty ones:
- Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Dish boxes with dividers for kitchenware
- Picture/mirror boxes for artwork and frames
- TV boxes for flat screens
If you’re not sure, we suggest doing a room-by-room inventory first. That makes it much easier to estimate how many boxes each area will require.
Still Unsure? Call in the Experts
If estimating box counts isn’t your thing, or you just want help figuring it out based on your space and belongings, we recommend working with professionals like Wherley Moving. Their team has helped countless people move smoothly and efficiently, and they can guide you through exactly how many boxes you’ll need—based on your space, lifestyle, and even the type of items you own. Their experience can take a lot of the guesswork (and stress) out of the equation.
Think About Weight and Contents
Here’s a helpful tip we always go back to: pack heavy items like books in small boxes, and lighter bulky items like bedding in large boxes. That keeps things manageable and safe to carry. Medium boxes are great for everyday household items, pantry goods, and decor.
Order a Little Extra
In our opinion, it’s always better to have a few more boxes than you think you’ll need. Extra boxes are handy for last-minute items or things you forgot to include in the first round of packing. You can always use the extras for storage later or recycle them.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how many moving boxes you need—but with a little planning and some smart estimates, you can get pretty close. Use the size of your home as a starting point, think about how much you own, and don’t forget to add a few specialty and extra boxes for good measure. And when in doubt, Wherley Moving has your back to help simplify the entire process.