Moving box calculator
Enter what you have and see how the estimate is built. The rules are rules of thumb for planning, not a measurement of your home.
| Item | Rule | Boxes |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrooms x 2 | 12 each: clothes, bedding and bedside contents | 24 |
| Living rooms x 1 | 10 each: ornaments, media and small furniture contents | 10 |
| Kitchens x 1 | 16 each: crockery, glasses, pans and food | 16 |
| Bathrooms x 1 | 3 each: toiletries and towels | 3 |
| Metres of bookshelf x 3 | 3 each: books packed in small boxes | 9 |
| Wardrobes or clothes rails x 2 | 3 each: hanging clothes and shoes | 6 |
| Subtotal plus 10% spare, rounded up | 75 | |
Estimated boxes: 75. This is a planning rule of thumb, not a survey of your home.
How the estimate works
Each item you enter is multiplied by a fixed number of boxes, shown in the table, then a 10 percent spare allowance is added and rounded up.
Using the result
Treat the answer as a purchasing guide. Boxes for books should be small, while clothes and bedding can go in larger ones.
Frequently asked questions
Is this exact?
No. It is a planning estimate based on the rules shown.
What are the limits?
Entries are capped to sensible ranges to keep the result realistic.
Related guides
- Moving inventory sheetList your belongings room by room in an editable table, note fragile items and download the inventory as a CSV for your quote request.
- How to pack a van efficientlyLoad a van so it carries more and arrives undamaged: heaviest first, boxes in tiers, soft items in gaps, and the one thing to keep by the doors.
- Moving Van Size GuideCompare Small, Medium, Large and Luton van pictures, example load-space dimensions, payloads and seating. Confirm the actual vehicle’s capacity before booking.
Ready to plan your job?
Go straight to the quote form. A quote request does not reserve a driver.