How many moving boxes do I need? (By home size)

Running out of boxes halfway through packing is one of the most common moving-week headaches. Here's a realistic count by home size, and how to adjust it for the way you live.

Quick answer: boxes by home size

These counts assume standard large boxes or bins (about 27 × 17 × 12 inches). They're the same numbers we use for our packages.

| Home size | Typical count | MoverBins package | |---|---|---| | Studio or dorm | 10–15 | Studio: 15 bins | | 1 bedroom | 20–25 | 1 Bedroom: 25 bins | | 2 bedrooms | 30–40 | 2 Bedroom: 35 bins | | 3 bedrooms | 45–55 | 3 Bedroom: 50 bins | | 4+ bedrooms | 65–80+ | 4+ Bedroom: 75 bins |

Adjust up if…

• You have a garage, attic or storage room. These spaces hold far more than people expect. Add 10–15 bins for a full garage.
• You have kids. Toys, clothes in three sizes, school stuff. Add 5–10.
• You work from home. Files, cables, books and monitors add up. Add 5.
• You're a reader or a cook. Books and kitchenware fill bins fast (and get heavy, so pack them half-full).

Adjust down if…

• You're moving furnished-to-furnished or already decluttered.
• You'll use wardrobe boxes for clothes. One wardrobe box replaces about 3–4 bins of hanging clothes.
• Movers are packing some rooms for you.

The rooms people always underestimate

1. The kitchen. Dishes, pans, pantry and small appliances usually need 8–12 bins on their own in a 3-bedroom home.
2. Closets. Shoes, bags, linens and the "stuff shelf" at the top.
3. Bathrooms. Under-sink cabinets are deceptively deep.
4. The garage. See above. Always more than you think.

Bins vs. boxes: does the count change?

Not much. A bin holds about the same as a large moving box. The difference is that bins don't need tape, don't crush when stacked, and you return them instead of breaking them down. If you're unsure, try our bin calculator. It asks a few questions and recommends a package.

Tip: It's easier to have 5 extra bins than to run out on moving eve. Unused bins simply go back with the rest.