--- title: Packing Calculator: How Many Boxes You Need url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/packing-calculator/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving tools](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/) - Packing calculator: how many boxes you need # Packing calculator: how many boxes do you need? Enter your rooms and how full they are, and the calculator estimates how many small, medium, large, wardrobe and dish-pack boxes to plan for. It is a rule-of-thumb guide; your estimator confirms the count at the free in-home visit. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Kitchen 1 Bedrooms 2 Living rooms 1 Bathrooms 2 Office 0 Garage 1 How full are your rooms? Minimal Average Full **Boxes, a rough guide** Your first 10 free heavy-duty boxes are free with your in-home estimate. [Get my estimate and my 10 boxes](#estimate) ## How to use the packing calculator - Count your rooms. Use the steppers for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, offices, the kitchen and the garage. - Pick how full they are. Minimal for a lightly furnished home, average for most, full for a home with years of belongings. - Read the list. The table shows box counts by size, plus tape and paper. - Print it or bring it. Print the list, or show it to your estimator at the free in-home visit. Running out of boxes the night before the truck arrives is one of the most common moving-day problems. Running out of the right size is the other. This calculator starts you at a sensible number by room, so you can buy or collect boxes once. ## Why box size matters Heavy things go in small boxes and light things in large ones. Books and canned food in a large box make a carton nobody can lift and the bottom tears. Lampshades and pillows in a small box waste space. The calculator splits your count by size for this reason, and adds wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes and dish-pack boxes for kitchens. ## What the calculator cannot tell you It does not see your home. A collector's bookcase, a garage full of tools or a kitchen with three sets of dishes changes the count, which is why it is a starting point. It also gives no prices; the cost of packing, if you choose ours, is on your written estimate. ## Getting the boxes Your first 10 heavy-duty boxes are free with your in-home estimate, yours to keep with no obligation. Boxes, tape, paper and bubble wrap are also sold at our Sparks office at 2277 Glendale Ave. If you would rather not pack at all, see [professional packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/). ## Packing tips that save boxes - Fill every box to the top so it does not crush - Use towels and linens as padding instead of paper - Leave clothes in dresser drawers if your mover agrees - Label every box with the room it goes to ## Packing day plan Start with rooms you use least, such as the garage, guest room and storage closets, two to three weeks before the move. Pack the kitchen last, leaving a few plates, a pot and a pan for the final days, and keep a first-night box with sheets, towels, chargers and basics. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Ready to Move? Tips for a Successful Interstate Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/ReadytoMoveBrochure_2022Update.pdf) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) - [Moving boxes and packing supplies at our Sparks counter](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/) - [Load Planner: estimate your move size (no prices)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/load-planner/) More tools ## Other planning tools - [### Load Planner: estimate your move size (no prices)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/load-planner/) - [### Storage vault sizer](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/storage-vault-sizer/) - [### Moving checklist generator](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/moving-checklist/) - [### Route lookup: distance and drive time to Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/route-lookup/) - [### Home inventory builder](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/inventory-builder/) - [### Cost-of-living compare: Reno vs your city](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/cost-of-living-compare/) - [### Military PCS helper](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/military-pcs-helper/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### How many boxes does a 3-bedroom home need? A typical 3-bedroom home with average contents needs several dozen boxes across all sizes. Run the calculator for your own rooms, and your estimator will confirm. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! S Sonia P. August 4, 2023 Talk about organized people. I peeked in the truck about an hour into the job and was amazed at how well organized it was and how many of my things had protective coverings. Our bed is a mechanical one and a nightmare to us, but these guys had no issue with it at all. Although I have no desire to ever move again--but if I did, I would be calling these guys for sure!!! R Robert B. June 22, 2026 The movers were very professional and took care of my stuff there were no worries and stress free amazing job. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070