1Select Your Home SizeStart with a studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, or 4+ bedroom home size to create a baseline supply estimate.
2Add What You HaveChoose common packing needs such as fragile items, wardrobe clothes, electronics, artwork, mirrors, frames, or books.
3Review Your Supply ListSee estimated quantities for boxes, tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, wardrobe boxes, and markers.
01 Small BoxesHeavy, compact items Books, dishes, canned goods, tools, and heavier items. Use smaller boxes for dense or heavy items so they are easier to lift.
02 Medium BoxesMost versatile size Kitchen items, toys, linens, decor, and general household goods. These are usually the most versatile moving boxes.
03 Large BoxesLight bulky items Pillows, bedding, lightweight clothes, lampshades, and bulky items. Avoid overfilling large boxes with heavy items.
04 Wardrobe BoxesHanging clothes Hanging clothes, suits, dresses, coats, and formal wear. Useful when you want to move clothes directly from closet to box.
05 Packing TapeSeal and reinforce Sealing boxes and reinforcing box bottoms. Buy extra tape if you are packing an entire home yourself.
06 Bubble WrapFragile protection Fragile items, electronics, dishes, glass, mirrors, and decor. Fragile rooms usually need more protective wrap than people expect.
07 Packing PaperClean cushioning Dishes, glassware, kitchen items, and surface protection. Cleaner than newspaper and better for dishes and glassware.
08 MarkersRoom labels Labeling boxes by room, priority, and fragile status. Label at least two sides of every box for easier unloading.
Use Your Home Size as a Starting PointA home-size estimate gives you a quick baseline, but your actual packing needs may change if you have many books, fragile kitchen items, large closets, home office equipment, garage items, or decorative pieces.
Think by Room, Not Just by Square FootageKitchens, closets, offices, kids' rooms, garages, and storage areas often require more supplies than expected. Fragile rooms need more paper and bubble wrap, while closets may require wardrobe boxes.
01 StudioSmall apartment 20-30boxes Small boxesMedium boxesTapePaper Small apartment or minimal furniture
02 1 BedroomApartment move 30-40boxes Medium boxesWardrobe boxesBubble wrap Apartment moves and small household moves
03 2 BedroomsSmall home baseline 40-55boxes Small boxesMedium boxesLarge boxesWardrobe boxesTape Most apartment and small home moves
04 3 BedroomsFamily home 60-80boxes More large boxesMore tapeExtra paper Family homes with kitchen, closets, and storage
05 4+ BedroomsFull-house packing 90+boxes Full supply setFragile extrasCloset supplies Larger homes, garage items, and full-house packing
Heavy Items01Use Small Boxes for Heavy ItemsBooks, tools, dishes, and canned goods should usually go in smaller boxes. Large boxes can become too heavy and difficult to carry.
Protect First02Protect Fragile Items SeparatelyGlassware, dishes, mirrors, artwork, and decor need extra packing paper, bubble wrap, and cushioning between items.
Label Clearly03Label Boxes by Room and PriorityMark boxes with the room name, contents, and whether they should be opened first. This makes unloading and unpacking easier.
Keep It Light04Do Not Overpack Large BoxesLarge boxes are best for lightweight bulky items such as bedding, pillows, lampshades, and seasonal clothing.
Closet Help05Use Wardrobe Boxes SelectivelyWardrobe boxes are helpful for formal wear, coats, dresses, suits, and clothes you want to keep hanging during the move.
Buy Extra06Buy a Little Extra TapeTape runs out quickly when sealing, reinforcing, and relabeling boxes. Extra rolls can save stress during final packing.
? Packing Materials Calculator FAQs Answers to common questions about moving boxes, packing supplies, wardrobe boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and planning your move with the Movers.com packing materials calculator. How many moving boxes do I need?vThe number of moving boxes depends on your home size, how much you own, and whether you have fragile items, books, closets, electronics, or storage areas. A studio may need only a few dozen boxes, while a larger home may need 80, 90, or more boxes. What size moving boxes should I buy?vUse small boxes for heavy items like books, dishes, and tools. Use medium boxes for general household goods. Use large boxes for lightweight bulky items like bedding, pillows, lampshades, and clothing. Do I need wardrobe boxes?vWardrobe boxes are useful if you want to move hanging clothes without folding them. They are especially helpful for suits, coats, dresses, formal wear, and delicate clothing. How much bubble wrap do I need?vBubble wrap needs depend on the number of fragile items, electronics, glassware, mirrors, artwork, and decor pieces you are packing. If you have many fragile items, plan for extra bubble wrap and packing paper. Should I use packing paper or newspaper?vPacking paper is cleaner and better suited for dishes, glassware, and delicate items. Newspaper can transfer ink onto items, so it is usually not ideal for kitchenware, decor, or light-colored belongings. Can movers provide packing materials?vMany full-service moving companies can provide boxes, tape, paper, bubble wrap, and packing help. If you prefer not to pack everything yourself, request moving quotes from companies that offer packing services. Is this packing materials calculator exact?vNo. This calculator provides a planning estimate. Your actual supply needs can vary based on how much you own, how fragile your belongings are, how many storage areas you have, and how carefully each room is packed.