Moving box calculator

Don't be the person running to Home Depot at 11 PM on moving eve. Get a realistic estimate of the boxes you actually need.

More time = more mysterious clutter
Estimated Total:
65
Boxes
Small 25
Medium 30
Large 10

The "Empty Space" trap

I genuinely don't know how I manage to accumulate so much junk in such a short time. Every time I move, I think I’ve got about 20 boxes worth of stuff, and I end up with 60. The secret is the "mysterious clutter" — all the things hiding in the back of cabinets and under the bed. That’s why I added the "Years Lived There" slider. If you've been in a place for 10 years, trust me, you need 30% more boxes than you think.

Which size box for what?

  • Small Boxes: These are for heavy stuff. Books, pans, and canned food. If you put books in a large box, you’ll throw your back out trying to lift it. I've been that person. It's not worth it.
  • Medium Boxes: Your workhorses. Clothes, toys, smaller appliances.
  • Large Boxes: For light, bulky items. Pillows, blankets, towels, and those giant coats you only wear once a year.