How Many Moving Boxes Do I Need?
Most people either buy too many boxes and end up with a pile of empties, or not enough and run out halfway through the kitchen. Enter how many of each room you're packing and get a size breakdown — small, medium, large, and wardrobe boxes — based on what typically fits.
Packing Box Calculator
Enter the number of each room type you're packing. Leave blank or 0 if you don't have that room.
Estimated Boxes for Your Move
Box Size Guide
Knowing what each size is for prevents overpacking and broken items.
| Size | Dimensions (approx) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 12" × 12" × 12" | Books, dishes, canned goods, tools, small appliances — heavy items that need to stay light enough to lift |
| Medium | 18" × 18" × 16" | Toys, pots and pans, small electronics, décor, general household items — the workhorse box |
| Large | 18" × 18" × 24" | Pillows, blankets, lampshades, lightweight bulky items — never fill these with heavy things |
| Wardrobe | 24" × 24" × 48" | Hanging clothes transferred directly from the closet rod — no folding, no creasing |
BC Apartment Packing Tips
- Pack boxes to a consistent weight — a fully loaded small box should be liftable with one hand. Movers will be doing this 50 times.
- Label every box on the side, not the top. When boxes are stacked in the truck, you can only read the sides.
- Pack a "first night" bag separately — phone charger, toilet paper, a change of clothes, and anything you'll need before the boxes are unpacked.
- Wardrobe boxes are worth it for clothes — hanging items stay wrinkle-free and transfer from closet to box to closet in minutes.
- If you're in a strata building, check if the elevator has a weight limit before packing very heavy boxes — some have restrictions.