Moving boxes calculator: How many boxes do you need?

One of the most common questions we’re asked by people packing themselves is: how many boxes do I actually need?

Underestimate it, and you may run out of boxes partway through packing. Overestimate it, and you risk spending more than necessary on packing materials.

The challenge is that every home is different, and the number of boxes required depends on the size of the property and how many belongings you have.

This guide provides a simple room-by-room breakdown to help you estimate exactly how many packing boxes you will need for your move.

Estimated boxes by home size

Our estimates are based on box sizes provided by Pickfords Eco Box Shop and our moving kit contents.

Pickfords Eco Box Shop box types used for this estimate:

• Small boxes: 535 x 305 x 260mm
• Medium boxes: 457 x 457 x 457mm 
• Large boxes: 800 x 400 x 450mm

You can use the guide below as a general estimate:

Studio flat: Between 10 – 15 boxes

• One bedroom flat: Between 15 – 23 boxes
• Two bedroom house: Between 23 – 40 boxes
• Three bedroom house: 40 – 65 boxes

One bedroom flat: Between 15 – 23 boxes

• 6 – 10 small boxes
• 6 – 8 medium boxes
• 3 – 5 large boxes

Two bedroom house: Between 23 – 40 boxes

• 10 – 15 small boxes
• 10 – 15 medium boxes
• 5 – 10 large boxes

Three bedroom house: 40 – 65 boxes

• 15 – 25 small boxes
• 15 – 25 medium boxes
• 10 – 15 large boxes

Four + bedroom house: 65 – 100 + boxes

• 25 – 40 small boxes
• 25 – 40 medium boxes
• 15 – 25 large boxes

These figures are based on average room-by-room packing volumes in UK homes, along with typical contents per household size, including both furniture and boxed items. They also consider the recommended safe fill weights for each box size:

• Small boxes suit loads up to 5kg
• Medium boxes suit loads up to 8kg
• Large boxes suit loads up to 10kg

When to adjust your estimate

You may need additional cartons if you have:

• Loft, garage, shed or storage unit contents
• Children’s toys or large hobby equipment
• A full kitchen inventory
• Limited pre-move decluttering

You may need fewer cartons if:

• You have already significantly decluttered
• You have minimal belongings
• You are moving from furnished accommodation

Final recommendation

Estimating how many moving boxes you need is an important first step when planning a self-pack house move. Using a room-by-room approach and selecting the correct carton sizes helps ensure you have the right materials to pack efficiently, protect your belongings, and avoid delays during packing and moving day.

As a general rule, it’s better to slightly overestimate your requirements and adjust during the packing process rather than run short of cartons at a critical stage.

What do I do with my cartons after my move?

Wondering what you’re going to do with all your boxes once you’ve finished unpacking?

Our cartons can be easily reused or recycled after your move. They are made from recyclable corrugated cardboard, and once unpacked, they can be broken down and placed into your standard household recycling bin.

To make this process easier, customers can purchase our Eco Box Cutter, which adapts boxes to the size you need and allows cartons to be broken down safely and efficiently.

If your cartons are in good condition, they can also be:

• Stored flat for future use
• Reused for household organisation, e.g. in your loft or garage
• Passed on to friends or family who are moving

Order your moving boxes online

Once you’ve worked out your requirements, you can order your packing materials directly from our Eco Box Shop.

Choose from a range of double-wall cartons in multiple sizes or select a ready-made Eco Box Shop Moving Kit designed to cover a typical 1 – 2 bedroom house move, including cartons, tape, marker pen and protective materials.

Purchase your moving boxes online today and get everything you need delivered before your move.