Moving Box Calculator

If you’ve ever wondered how many boxes you’d need for your move, a moving box calculator can give you a quick answer. Our moving box calculator takes the guesswork out of figuring out how many boxes you need. Whether you’re moving from a studio apartment or a family home, it’ll tell you exactly how many boxes you need.

The Stack Moves moving box calculator helps you precisely estimate how many boxes you will need for your move. With our moving box calculator, procuring more boxes than necessary or overstuffing them with items becomes a thing of the past!

The number of boxes needed for a move varies with each person because of the nature of their belongings. With the help of a moving box calculator, you can get a more accurate estimate to determine how many boxes you’ll need. This box rental calculator bases its estimates on the number of bedrooms.

Another factor incorporated into this estimate is the box size. We believe the best moving boxes measure 27” by 17” at the top, 24.5” by 14.5” at the bottom, and 13” tall. In our opinion, this is the perfect size box for any move, which is why it’s the standard size used in our calculations.

What Are Moving Box Rentals?

Looking for moving boxes can be a pain, and thinking of what to do with them after your move is just as bad. Moving box rental companies deliver sturdy, reusable boxes right to your doorstep and pick them up when you’re done. It’s also less expensive to rent than buy many boxes you might never use again. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly way to cut down on waste.

How to Use Our Moving Box Calculator

Using our Moving box calculator is as easy as pie! To get a more accurate estimate, you simply have to select the accurate size of your home, that is, how many bedrooms it has. The calculator considers the average amount of stuff that homes of those sizes have and provides a reasonable number of moving boxes you would need.

Of course, if you are a minimalist or have additional storage spaces, like an attic or garage, the number of boxes the calculator provides might not be the most accurate for you. In these situations, we encourage you to reach out to us for advice! Our well of knowledge is but one of the many resources we offer alongside our moving box calculator to help you move from your current home.

In addition to providing you with an estimate of how many boxes you might need, our calculator also provides you with an estimate of how many additional moving tools, such as dollies and labels, you will need!

How Many Moving Boxes Do I Need? 

If you miscount the number of boxes you need for your move, you might run into a few hiccups. Picture this – you’re in the middle of packing and suddenly realize you don’t have enough boxes. Now, you’re stuck scrambling to find more at the last minute.

Last-minute purchases usually mean higher costs. You might end up spending more on extra boxes than if you’d planned ahead. When you’re short on boxes, the temptation to overpack the ones you have is strong. This can lead to boxes breaking or items getting damaged.

The number of boxes you need for a move can vary depending on the person and their belongings. However, based on the size of your home, that is, how many bedrooms it has, moving box calculators can determine how many boxes you’d need to successfully and securely pack and move your items.

Using Office Box Calculators

Before you start planning an office move, you can use a standard moving box calculator to help you get a rough idea as to how many boxes you will need. However, remember that you’ll probably need fewer boxes since an office typically usually has fewer items than a room would in a house. Once you have an estimate, carefully compare that number to the type of items you need to pack to ensure they fit.

“How Many Boxes Do I Need to Move?” Calculator

Not enough boxes? You’ll be stressing trying to get more on time. Too many? Now you’re stuck with extra boxes you don’t need. Here’s our best estimate for a smooth move:

• Studio Apartment: 15 bins

• 1 Bedroom Apartment:25 bins

• 2 Bedroom Apartment: 35 bins

• 3 Bedroom Apartment: 50 bins

• 4 Bedroom Apartment: 75 bins

• 5 Bedroom Apartment: 100 bins

But to safely pack and transport all your belongings to your new home, you’ll need more than just moving bins—you’ll need additional moving supplies such as bubble wrap, packing paper, duck tape, etc. When you rent your moving bins from Stack Moves, we not only provide you with the bins for your move but also with labels to keep your move organized and dollies to help you transport them.

Read on to find out more about what you need to have for a successful move!

Studio Apartment Box Calculator

Studios are typically smaller in size, ranging from 300 square feet to 600 square feet (approximate). A typical studio has all the standard living spaces of a home, such as a living room, kitchen, and bedroom, compressed into one room.

We recommend 15 bins, 1 dolly, and 15 labels to pack your belongings. This number also takes into account about 10% of your belongings, which you will probably get rid of anyway. With 15 bins you can pack your clothes, shoes, books, electronics, kitchen essentials, and personal items with ease as these boxes come with easy-to-carry handles.

1 Bedroom Apartment Box Packing Calculator

1-bedroom apartments are typically smaller, ranging from 600 square feet to 800 square feet (approximate). A 1-bedroom will include your kitchen, living room, bedroom, and 1-2 bathrooms. As a 1-bedroom is generally a small apartment, we recommend 25 bins, 2 dollies, and 25 labels to properly pack all your items. 

Beyond boxes, ensure you have enough tape, bubble wrap for fragile items, and markers for labeling. A little extra now saves you a lot of headaches later. Do not underestimate the other costs of moving to a 1-bedroom apartment.

2 Bedroom Apartment Box Calculator

2-bedroom apartments typically range from 800 to 1,200 square feet, but this could vary depending on your home’s layout. On an estimate, you will need 35 bins, 2 dollies, and 35 labels to move to/from a 2-bedroom apartment. You may need extra boxes and some padding material if you have kids and a lot of breakable items. If you have a home office, guest room, or extensive collection of kitchen gadgets, factor these into your calculations. Each room and its contents can significantly impact your overall box count.

3 Bedroom Apartment Moving Box Estimator

The range for 3-bedroom units often goes from about 1,000 to 1,600 square feet. One of the many moving tips we can offer you when packing for 3-bedroom apartments and up is to remember that having a few extra boxes and moving supplies is better than running short on moving day. That is why we recommend having 50 bins, 3 dollies, and 50 labels when moving to a 3-bedroom apartment. 

4 Bedroom Apartment Box Calculator

They typically range from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet or more, catering to a more upscale market or larger families. To move to/from a 4-bedroom apartment, you will need at least 75 moving bins, 4 dollies, and 75 labels, as well as other packing supplies.

This space likely accommodates a family, with each room reflecting different needs, tastes, and item types. From the master bedroom’s wardrobe to the children’s toys, the kitchen’s gadgets to the living room’s electronics, every item needs to be accounted for. 

5 Bedroom Apartment Box Calculator

5-bedroom apartments or homes can exceed 2,500 square feet and are often found in luxury segments or specific markets catering to large families or group living arrangements. To move to/from a 5-bedroom apartment or house, you will need at least 100 moving bins, 5 dollies, 100 labels, and other packing supplies.

Moving for a 5-bedroom apartment involves not only assessing the volume of items but also considering the variety of items across other rooms, living areas, kitchens, and possibly home offices or special-purpose rooms. Suppose this specialized room is, for example, an exercise room. In that case, you might need to have additional moving boxes prepared, as overpacking your moving bins with too much weight can make them both dangerous and impossible to lift and safely transport. The process of packing weights for moving entails evenly distributing the total weight across boxes, which in turn requires more packing boxes.

What Types of Moving Boxes Are Available?

There are two main types of moving boxes: cardboard boxes and plastic boxes.

Cardboard is inexpensive and easily available, but the hassle outweighs the savings. They’re not ideal for heavy items, as they tend to break fairly easily during moves. Then, there’s the added hassle of getting rid of these boxes after a move, whether you decide to recycle them or give them away. Plastic bins on the other hand are more durable and offer better protection for your belongings.

How Plastic Moving Box Rentals Work

Once you’ve reserved your boxes with Stack moves, our easy three-step process is next. We do our best to keep this part of your move as seamless and stress-free as possible:

• We deliver your dollies and bins straight to your home before you move

• You (or your movers) pack up, move, and unpack

• We come to your new address and pick up the bins and dollies

If you aren’t quite sure how many boxes to rent, want to learn more, or have any other questions at any point in the process, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today! At Stack Moves, we’re here for you every step of the way.