How Many Boxes Do I Need to Move? A Complete Guide

How many boxes do I need to move? The answer to this age-old question doesn’t exactly involve rocket science, but it’s not the easiest calculation, either. 

You’re likely buying packing materials, so you don’t want to waste money on too many extra moving boxes. And if you’re collecting used boxes for your move (bonus points for recycling!), you don’t want to make searching for boxes a competitive sport, either. 

So, how do you figure out just the right amount for a successful moving day? We’ve got you covered.

Number of Boxes Needed Based on the Size of Your Home

Here is a rough estimate of the number of boxes you will need to move depending on the size of your current home:

These guidelines are a good start, but no move is one-size-fits-all. The types and sizes of boxes you will need depend on your items and the number of people in the household. Let’s jump into the breakdown of the types of boxes and their sizes you may need for your move.

Box Size

What if you live in a four-bedroom home but have adopted a minimalist lifestyle, complete with a capsule wardrobe and all reading materials relegated to a slim tablet? In this case, you might need far fewer boxes than the amount suggested here. 

But what if you live in a tiny studio apartment that just happens to be stacked from floor to ceiling with books? Or vinyl records? Or maybe even those little plastic figures that look like characters from TV and movies? Those things all vary in size and weight, and you’ll have to get the right size and type of box to haul it all to your new place.

When it comes to figuring out the number of boxes you will need for your move, take stock of what you have so you can get the right type of box. 

Small Boxes (About 1.5 Cubic Feet)

Small boxes are best for small, heavy things, like stacks of books. Don’t fill a huge box with all your books unless you’ve hired a forklift for moving day.

Medium Boxes (1.5 to 3 Cubic Feet)

These boxes give you more room without making things too unwieldy. You could likely pack up your entire place using medium boxes. 

Large Boxes (2.5 to 3.5 Cubic Feet)

This size box is obviously good for larger objects, as well as lots of lighter objects. You could stack shoe boxes in a larger box or fill it with linens and pillows.

Extra-Large Boxes (3.6+ Cubic Feet)

Keep these big guys for large or awkwardly shaped items as well as for piling in loads of lightweight things, like blankets. You’ll want to stop and make sure you’re not overfilling these boxes, otherwise you won’t be able to budge them.

Specialty Boxes

If you’ve got a lot of one type of item, it pays to get boxes that are expressly made for them:

Book Boxes

If you’ve got shelves upon shelves of books, go for 12” x 12” boxes (1 cubic foot). Most hardcover and paperback books will fit just fine, and even if you fill up the box, it shouldn’t be too heavy to move.

Dish Barrel Boxes 

If you’d rather have your china set arrive in one piece, go with dish barrel boxes. These corrugated boxes are sturdy enough to protect these and other delicate items. Just remember to write “fragile” on it and don’t stack other boxes on top.

Wardrobe Boxes 

Fashion lovers, rejoice: You won’t have to spend precious time folding up all your clothes to stuff in boxes. Sure, you can still do that with sweaters and T-shirts, but items that are still on hangers can go right inside a wardrobe box. These extra-large boxes come with a rod inside them, so all you have to do is hang up your clothes. This will allow you to empty closets in minutes.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers?

Hiring a professional mover costs an average of $1,710, but that assumes a large home with plenty of bulky items. Small one-bedroom apartments can cost just $400 to move. As for labor rates, movers charge $25 to $50 per hour. Your total costs also depend on the distance traveled: Moving the contents of a large house across the country can cost over $9,000.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Moving, especially locally, can be a DIY-friendly task, so long as you have the time and some helping hands. Just be careful with packing and go slowly to avoid any unnecessary accidents. However, there are several reasons to hire professional movers. 

Hiring professional movers is especially helpful if you have mobility concerns, more stuff than you can handle, or if your primary vehicle isn’t up for a big haul. Pros bring skills and experience, and many local moving companies offer more extensive services than just loading the truck. For instance, a mover may disassemble furniture, pack boxes, or transport shipping containers.