# Moving Boxes: Which Ones to Use and How Many You Need *Reviewed by Joey Padgett · Last reviewed September 2026* Getting your boxes right early saves you a lot of mid-packing frustration. Too few, and you're making an emergency run at 9pm the night before the truck arrives. Too many, and you're breaking down 40 unused boxes two weeks after moving in. The estimates below are reliable starting points. Build from there based on how much you've accumulated. --- ## How Many Moving Boxes Do I Need? | Home Size | Small | Medium | Large | XL | Approx. Total | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Studio | 5 to 8 | 5 to 8 | 2 to 4 | 1 to 2 | 15 to 25 | | 1 Bedroom | 8 to 12 | 8 to 12 | 4 to 6 | 2 to 3 | 25 to 35 | | 2 Bedroom | 12 to 18 | 14 to 20 | 6 to 10 | 3 to 5 | 40 to 60 | | 3 Bedroom | 16 to 22 | 24 to 36 | 8 to 14 | 4 to 8 | 60 to 85 | | 4 Bedroom | 22 to 30 | 30 to 45 | 12 to 18 | 6 to 10 | 80 to 110 | | 5+ Bedroom | 30+ | 45+ | 18+ | 10+ | 110+ | *Source: [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/blog/how-many-boxes-do-i-need-to-move/), [Extra Space Storage](https://www.extraspace.com/moving/tools/moving-box-calculator/), [StackMoves](https://www.stackmoves.com/how-many-boxes-do-i-need-to-move/)* Two things to remember: **Add a 10 to 15% buffer.** Running out of boxes mid-packing is a real problem, especially if it happens on a Sunday evening before a Monday move. A few extra boxes is always the right call. You can return or recycle unused ones. **More people means more boxes.** These estimates assume an average household. Budget roughly 10 to 15 additional boxes per person beyond the first. ### Specific Mix for a 3-Bedroom Home For a 3-bedroom home with an average amount of belongings, a reasonable target is: - 16 small boxes (books, kitchen items, tools) - 34 medium boxes (clothes, pantry, linens) - 7 large boxes (pillows, comforters, light bulky items) - 6 XL boxes (lampshades, large pillows, awkward items) - 3 wardrobe boxes per full closet of hanging clothes *Source: [PackEze](https://packeze.com/blog/how-many-moving-boxes-do-i-need)* --- ## Box Sizes: What Goes Where **Small boxes (1.5 cu ft):** Books, files, canned goods, tools, records, wine bottles. Anything dense and heavy. If it's heavy, it goes in a small box. A small, heavy box is manageable. A large, heavy box creates problems for everyone on moving day. **Medium boxes (3 cu ft):** Clothes, shoes, toys, small appliances, pantry items, non-fragile kitchen items. Your most-used size by volume. You'll go through more of these than anything else. **Large boxes (4.5 to 5 cu ft):** Pillows, comforters, throws, lampshades, light bulky items. These are for *light and bulky* items only. A large box packed with heavy things is dangerous and hard to control on a truck ramp. **XL boxes (6+ cu ft):** Stuffed animals, very large pillows, lightweight oddly-shaped items. Use sparingly. --- ## Garment Moving Boxes Garment boxes (also called wardrobe boxes) are tall cardboard boxes with a metal hanging rod across the top. Clothes go straight from closet rod to box, still on their hangers, without folding or wrinkling. On the other end, they go straight back into the new closet. **When they're worth it:** - Suits, blazers, dresses, or anything that wrinkles easily - Coats and heavy outerwear - Anything that would need pressing or dry-cleaning before you'd wear it again - When you're short on time and want packing to be fast **Tips for using them:** - Don't overload the rod. Clothes should hang freely. Packed too tightly, they'll still wrinkle. - Use the bottom space for shoes, folded sweaters, or other non-hanging items. It's wasted otherwise. - Pack by category (all shirts together, all pants together) so unpacking is efficient. - Cover delicate pieces with a dry-cleaning bag or light cloth to keep out dust. Wardrobe boxes are bulky and cost more than standard boxes ($15 to $25 each). For a 3-bedroom home with three full closets at three boxes per closet, budget $135 to $225 for wardrobe boxes alone. For professional or dress clothes, it's usually worth it. For mostly casual clothes you don't mind folding, standard medium boxes work fine. *Source: [U-Haul Wardrobe Box Guide](https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Packing/Wardrobe-Boxes-Your-Complete-Guide-25141/), [This Old House](https://www.thisoldhouse.com/moving/wardrobe-boxes)* --- ## Picture and Mirror Moving Boxes If you have framed photos, artwork, or mirrors you care about, picture boxes are not optional. These are flat, adjustable cardboard boxes designed specifically for framed items. They come in panels that slide to fit your specific piece. **The packing process:** 1. Cut an X of painter's tape across the glass before wrapping. If the glass cracks, this holds the shards together and protects the artwork underneath. 2. Wrap the piece in 2 to 3 layers of [packing paper](/advice/packing/packing-paper), followed by bubble wrap for anything fragile or valuable. 3. Slide it into the picture box. Add crumpled packing paper to fill any gaps so nothing moves inside. 4. Seal and label the box with FRAGILE, THIS SIDE UP, and DO NOT LAY FLAT on at least three sides. Write it large. **The one rule with no exceptions:** always transport and store mirrors and framed art upright. Flat transport distributes weight across the glass and dramatically increases the chance of breakage. On the truck, lean them vertically against solid furniture and never stack anything on top. [U-Haul](https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Packing/How-To-Pack-Pictures-Mirrors-Framed-Art-Paintings-for-Moving-7115/) recommends wedging picture boxes between heavy, stable furniture items on the truck to prevent shifting during transit. *Source: [U-Haul — How to Pack Pictures, Mirrors, and Framed Art](https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Packing/How-To-Pack-Pictures-Mirrors-Framed-Art-Paintings-for-Moving-7115/), [AAA Movers](https://aaamoversinc.com/blog/packing-mirrors-and-framed-artwork/)* --- ## Moving With Plastic Bins Plastic bins are genuinely useful in the right context. Here's an honest breakdown. **The case for plastic bins:** - Fully waterproof. If there's any chance of rain on moving day, plastic bins are a real advantage for anything that can't get wet. - More protective than cardboard. The rigid shell handles impact better. - Reusable indefinitely. If you move often, the upfront cost pays back over time. **The case against:** - More expensive upfront. Good bins run $10 to $25 each versus $2 to $5 for a cardboard box. - Don't stack as cleanly on a truck. Cardboard boxes are engineered to stack flush edge-to-edge. Many plastic bins have rounded lids or off-standard dimensions that create instability. - Hard to pack around awkward shapes. Cardboard can be cut and adjusted. Plastic bins can't. **Verdict:** Plastic bins work well for long-term storage and for short local moves where you're keeping them afterward. For most moves, especially long-distance, cardboard boxes are more practical. A hybrid approach works well: use cardboard for the truck, and plastic bins for a car load of things you want to protect. If you're putting items in storage between homes (very common in buy-and-sell situations), plastic bins are worth it for anything that will sit in a unit for weeks or months. Cardboard absorbs humidity over time. See our [moving costs guide](/advice/costs) for a breakdown of storage costs if you're comparing options. *Source: [SpareFoot](https://www.sparefoot.com/blog/which-is-better-for-moving-plastic-containers-or-cardboard-boxes), [StackMoves](https://www.stackmoves.com/moving-boxes-vs-plastic-bins/)* --- ## Where to Get Moving Boxes **Buy new:** Home Depot, Lowe's, U-Haul, and Walmart all carry moving boxes. U-Haul has a buyback program for unused boxes. Amazon works well for ordering in bulk with delivery. **Get them free:** - Liquor stores and wine shops have dense, double-walled boxes with built-in dividers that are excellent for bottles and glassware. - Bookstores use uniform small boxes ideal for books and heavy items. - Grocery stores often have clean produce boxes available. - Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, and Craigslist free sections regularly have post-move boxes from neighbors. **Rent boxes:** Several services in major cities (Gorilla Bins, Rent-A-Green Box, Frog Box) deliver plastic bins and pick them up after your move. Often less expensive than buying plastic bins outright. --- ## Related Guides - [Back to Packing Overview](/advice/packing) - [How Long Does It Take to Pack a House?](/advice/packing/how-long-to-pack) - [Packing Paper: What to Buy and Where to Find It](/advice/packing/packing-paper) - [Moving Supplies: The Complete List](/advice/packing/moving-supplies) --- ## Sources - [How Many Boxes Do I Need to Move — Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/blog/how-many-boxes-do-i-need-to-move/) - [Free Moving Box Calculator — Extra Space Storage](https://www.extraspace.com/moving/tools/moving-box-calculator/) - [How Many Moving Boxes Do You Need — StackMoves](https://www.stackmoves.com/how-many-boxes-do-i-need-to-move/) - [How Many Moving Boxes Do I Need — PackEze](https://packeze.com/blog/how-many-moving-boxes-do-i-need) - [Wardrobe Boxes: Your Complete Guide — U-Haul](https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Packing/Wardrobe-Boxes-Your-Complete-Guide-25141/) - [Everything You Need to Know About Wardrobe Boxes — This Old House](https://www.thisoldhouse.com/moving/wardrobe-boxes) - [How to Pack Pictures, Mirrors, Framed Art — U-Haul](https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Packing/How-To-Pack-Pictures-Mirrors-Framed-Art-Paintings-for-Moving-7115/) - [Packing Mirrors and Framed Artwork — AAA Movers](https://aaamoversinc.com/blog/packing-mirrors-and-framed-artwork/) - [Plastic Containers vs. Cardboard Boxes — SpareFoot](https://www.sparefoot.com/blog/which-is-better-for-moving-plastic-containers-or-cardboard-boxes) - [Moving Boxes vs. Plastic Bins — StackMoves](https://www.stackmoves.com/moving-boxes-vs-plastic-bins/)