How the moving box calculation works
- For each type of room, boxes = number of rooms × boxes per room.
- That is multiplied by how much you own: 0.75 for less than most, 1 for average, 1.35 for more than most.
- Each room's boxes are split between sizes in the proportions below, the sizes are added up across rooms, the extra is added, and each size is rounded up.
- Tape: about one roll per 15 boxes, rounded up.
The starting assumptions
There is no formula for how much people own, so the calculator starts from planning figures for an averagely furnished home. Change any "boxes per room" figure to match yours.
| Room | Boxes | Small | Medium | Large | Wardrobe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 12 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Bathrooms | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kitchens | 19 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Living or family rooms | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Dining rooms | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Home offices | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Garages, basements or storage rooms | 15 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Choosing box sizes
- Small boxes are for heavy things: books, tins, tools and records. A large box of books is too heavy to lift safely.
- Medium boxes are the workhorse for kitchenware, toys, small appliances and most household items.
- Large boxes are for light, bulky things like bedding, towels, cushions and lampshades.
- Wardrobe boxes let clothes travel on their hangers.
Rounding rules
- Each box size is rounded up separately after the extra is added, so the total can be a few boxes more than the unrounded figure.
- Tape is rounded up to whole rolls.