How many moving boxes do I need?
The calculator’s default 1 m³ of contents needs 37 boxes. The count uses 40.92 L of inside capacity, 80% fill, 10% reserve and separate rounding for each contents category.
Illustrative box counts by home size
These are illustrative packing scenarios, not typical household averages. The calculator has no fixed relationship between bedrooms and contents. Each row scales the six default contents volumes together (0.15, 0.30, 0.20, 0.20, 0.05 and 0.10 m³); box capacity stays 40.92 L, fill 80% and reserve 10%. Furniture is excluded.
| Home example | Assumed contents | Boxes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 0.5 m³ | 20 |
| 1 bedroom | 1 m³ | 37 |
| 2 bedrooms | 1.5 m³ | 55 |
| 3+ bedrooms (3-bedroom scenario) | 2 m³ | 71 |
Use your contents, not a bedroom average
A bedroom label does not determine how many things you own. The table scales the calculator’s six editable contents estimates together. The 3+ row uses the displayed three-bedroom scenario as a starting point; larger homes need their own inventory. These are examples, not household averages or a purchase recommendation.
Check inside capacity and packing space
The existing Sibo example lists internal dimensions of 44 × 31 × 30 cm: 40.92 L before the chosen fill allowance. Inside capacity determines packing space. Outside dimensions determine the space a packed box occupies in a van. Furniture that travels without boxes belongs in a separate transport inventory.
How the example is calculated
For each contents category: boxes = round up(contents in litres × 1.10 ÷ 40.92 ÷ 0.80). Add the rounded category counts. The default categories contain 0.15, 0.30, 0.20, 0.20, 0.05 and 0.10 m³. They produce 6 + 11 + 7 + 7 + 2 + 4 = 37 boxes.
Plan tape and wrapping separately
The existing example allows 3 m of tape per box. For 37 boxes this is 111 m; with 50 m rolls, round the purchase up to three rolls. The wrapping example uses 12 m² plus 10% allowance, or 13.2 m². Replace those assumptions with a measured sample and the capacities printed on your supplies.
Check weight before filling
Keep dense contents such as books in loads that respect the box manufacturer’s weight limit and your handling conditions. A large volume does not establish a safe lifting weight. Keep fragile contents and padding requirements in your room-by-room inventory.
Open the moving box calculator to change each contents volume, reserve, fill fraction and box size. Use the moving volume calculator only if that existing route fits your transport plan; do not count the same packed boxes twice.