How Many Moving Boxes (or Crates) Do You Really Need? A Practical, Self-Serve Guide

One of the most common moving questions is also one of the most frustrating:

How many moving boxes (or crates) do I actually need?

Order too few, and packing becomes stressful. Order too many, and you’ve paid for space you don’t need. The good news is that with a little structure, you can estimate your needs very accurately — without guesswork or consultation.

This guide is designed to help you confidently calculate how many reusable moving crates you need on your own.

Our Standard Crate Size (What You’re Estimating With)

At Crate & Go, we use one standard reusable moving crate size:

12" H × 17" W × 27" L(Comparable to a medium moving box) Because every crate is the same size, estimating becomes much simpler and more consistent.

What Typically Fits in One Crate

One standard crate usually holds about:

• 15–20 folded adult clothing items

• 12–18 hardcover books

• Contents of one average lower kitchen cabinet section

• 2–3 small kitchen appliances (toaster, blender, coffee maker)

• 6–8 bath towels

• Desk contents + small office supplies

• Shoes for 1–2 people

• Pantry items from one cabinet shelf area

This helps you think in cabinet sections and drawer groups, not just vague room sizes.

Quick Crate Estimates by Home Size

Use this as a fast starting point:

Home Size	Estimate Crate Range
Studio / 1 Bedroom	15–25 crates
2 Bedroom	25–40 crates
3 Bedroom	40–60 crates
4+ Bedroom	60–90+ crates

If you’ve lived in your home for several years, have kids, or have a lot of storage, expect to be toward the higher end of the range.

The Most Accurate Way to Estimate (Step-by-Step)

1. Walk Through and Count Sections (Not Rooms)

Instead of estimating by room, count sections:

• Lower kitchen cabinet section = ~1 crate

• 2–3 upper cabinets = ~1 crate

• One nightstand = ~1 crate

• One desk = ~1–2 crates

• One dresser = ~2–3 crates

• One standard bookshelf shelf = ~½ to 1 crate

This method is far more accurate than guessing by square footage.

2. Count Closets Separately (Commonly Forgotten)

Closets are a major source of underestimation.

• Small closet = 2–4 crates

• Standard reach-in closet = 4–6 crates

• Walk-in closet = 6–10+ crates

Count hanging clothes, folded shelves, shoes, and accessories.

3. Kitchen Reality Check (Open Every Cabinet)

Kitchens almost always need more crates than expected.

A good rule:

• Each lower cabinet section = ~1 crate

• Every 2–3 upper cabinets = ~1 crate

• Pantry area = +3–6 crates

Don’t forget drawers, food storage, and small appliances.

4. Storage Areas (Basement, Garage, Attic)

Storage spaces are where people most often underestimate.

Use this guideline:

• Light storage = +5–10 crates

• Moderate storage = +10–20 crates

• Heavy storage = +20–40+ crates

If you already use storage bins, that’s a good visual for how many crates you’ll need.

5. Adjust for People, Offices, and Hobbies

Add more if you have:

• Children: +5–10 crates per child

• Home office: +5–10 crates

• Sports gear, crafts, or hobbies: +5–15 crates

More people and activities = more volume.

6. Use the Stack Method (Visual & Very Helpful)

Our crates stack safely and evenly.

A typical stack is:

• 4–5 crates high

• Footprint: about 17" × 27"

Picture how many stacks it would take to clear each room:

• Living room: usually 1–2 stacks (4–10 crates)

• Kitchen: usually 2–3 stacks (8–15 crates)

• Primary bedroom: usually 2 stacks (8–10 crates)

• Kids’ bedroom: usually 1–2 stacks (4–8 crates)

• Storage areas: often multiple stacks

This is one of the easiest ways to visualize volume.

7. Plan for What You Won’t Pack

You may not need crates for:

• Furniture with built-in drawers

• File cabinets

• Tool chests

This can slightly reduce your total.

8. Renovation vs. Moving (Different Needs)

For renovations, you may need more crates because you’re staging entire rooms and protecting items from dust.

For renovation projects, add 10–20% extra to your estimate.

9. If You’re Between Two Numbers — Go Up

Running out of crates is far more stressful than having a few extras.

If you’re choosing between, for example, 40 or 50 crates, the higher number is usually the safer choice.

Weight & Packing Tips (Important)

Because our crates are medium-size:

• They are ideal for heavy items like books and dishes

• Avoid overloading a single crate

• Spread weight across more crates for easier lifting

If a crate feels too heavy to lift comfortably, use an additional crate.

Simple Self-Check Formula

Use this as a final gut-check:

(Bedrooms × 10) + Kitchen (12) + Living Room (8) + Bathrooms (4 each) + Storage (10–30+)

Adjust up or down based on how full your home is.