Moving Boxes Calculator Australia
A 1-bedroom apartment needs approximately 20–30 moving boxes. A 2-bedroom home needs 30–50 boxes. A 3-bedroom home needs 50–80 boxes. A 4-bedroom home needs 80–120 boxes. Total packing supplies cost A$50–A$150 for a 2-bedroom home if purchased new, or A$0–A$30 if sourced for free.
Total Boxes = (Number of Rooms × 10–15 boxes) + Kitchen (15–20 extra) + Garage/Storage (5–10 extra)
One of the most stressful parts of moving is figuring out how many boxes and packing supplies you need. Too few and you're making emergency trips to Bunnings. Too many and you've wasted money on unused boxes.
Our moving boxes calculator gives you an accurate estimate based on your Australian home size and belongings, plus a complete guide to box types, sizes, packing supplies, costs, and where to get free boxes across Australia.
What This Means
Your estimate provides the recommended number of each box size. We've included 10–15% extra to account for items that don't pack as expected. Start packing 2–3 weeks before your move with non-essential items, and keep the calculator handy to adjust if needed.
How Many Moving Boxes Do You Need?
Use this guide to estimate boxes by home size. These figures assume an average amount of belongings — adjust up for collectors/hoarders or down for minimalists:
| Home Size | Small Boxes | Medium Boxes | Large Boxes | Specialty Boxes | Total Boxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 5–8 | 5–8 | 3–5 | 1–2 | 15–25 |
| 1-Bedroom | 8–12 | 8–10 | 5–8 | 2–3 | 25–35 |
| 2-Bedroom | 12–18 | 10–15 | 8–12 | 3–5 | 35–50 |
| 3-Bedroom | 18–25 | 15–22 | 12–18 | 4–6 | 50–75 |
| 4-Bedroom | 25–35 | 20–30 | 15–22 | 5–8 | 70–100 |
| 5+ Bedroom | 30–45 | 25–35 | 20–30 | 6–10 | 90–130 |
Room-by-room breakdown:
- Kitchen: 10–20 boxes (the most box-intensive room due to fragile items, appliances, and pantry goods)
- Bedroom: 5–10 boxes per bedroom (clothes, bedding, personal items)
- Living room: 5–10 boxes (books, electronics, decorations)
- Bathroom: 2–4 boxes per bathroom
- Garage/shed: 5–15 boxes (tools, garden supplies, sports equipment)
- Home office: 5–10 boxes (documents, electronics, stationery)
Australian Moving Box Sizes Guide
Australian moving box sizes follow standard dimensions. Here's what each size is best for:
| Box Type | Dimensions (L×W×H cm) | Volume (litres) | Weight Limit | Best For | Price Each (A$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book/Small Box | 40 × 30 × 30 | 36 L | 20 kg | Books, CDs, heavy items, tins | A$3 – A$5 |
| Medium Box | 55 × 40 × 35 | 77 L | 18 kg | Kitchen items, toys, clothes, shoes | A$4 – A$7 |
| Large/Tea Chest | 60 × 45 × 50 | 135 L | 15 kg | Bedding, pillows, lampshades, light bulky items | A$5 – A$9 |
| Wardrobe Box (Porta-Robe) | 60 × 50 × 120 | 360 L | 30 kg | Hanging clothes, suits, dresses | A$12 – A$20 |
| Wine/Bottle Box | 35 × 25 × 45 (with dividers) | ~40 L | 20 kg | Wine bottles, spirits, sauces | A$5 – A$8 |
| Picture/Mirror Box | Adjustable (flat) | Varies | 15 kg | Framed pictures, mirrors, artwork | A$8 – A$15 |
| Plastic Storage Crate (rental) | 60 × 40 × 35 | ~80 L | 20 kg | Eco-friendly alternative, reusable | A$6 – A$10/week |
The golden rule of box packing: Heavy items in small boxes, light items in large boxes. A large box full of books will weigh 40+ kg and be impossible to lift safely.
Complete Packing Supplies List & Costs
Beyond boxes, you'll need additional packing supplies. Here's a complete list with 2026 Australian prices:
| Supply | Quantity (2-BR Home) | Cost (A$) | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packing tape (50m rolls) | 4–6 rolls | A$15 – A$25 | Bunnings, Officeworks |
| Tape dispenser | 1 | A$8 – A$15 | Bunnings, Officeworks |
| Bubble wrap (50m roll) | 1–2 rolls | A$15 – A$30 | Bunnings, Officeworks, eBay |
| Packing paper (newsprint, 10 kg) | 1 pack | A$10 – A$20 | Bunnings, moving box companies |
| Marker pens (permanent) | 2–3 | A$5 – A$8 | Officeworks, Coles |
| Furniture blankets | 4–8 | A$0 (from removalist) or A$10–A$20 each | Bunnings, removalist supply |
| Mattress protector bag | 1–2 | A$5 – A$15 each | Bunnings, Kmart |
| Stretch wrap (hand roll) | 1–2 rolls | A$10 – A$20 | Bunnings, Officeworks |
| Labels (colour-coded) | 1 pack | A$5 – A$10 | Officeworks |
| Total supplies (excl. boxes) | A$73 – A$163 |
Total packing cost for a 2-bedroom home:
- New boxes + all supplies: A$200 – A$400
- Free/used boxes + basic supplies: A$30 – A$80
- Plastic crate rental + supplies: A$150 – A$300 (1 week)
Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Australia
Save A$100–A$300 by sourcing free boxes. Here are the best Australian sources:
- Bunnings: Ask at the loading dock for leftover boxes. Go in the morning when fresh stock arrives. Their boxes are sturdy and well-sized for moving.
- Dan Murphy's / BWS: Wine and beer boxes are incredibly sturdy with built-in dividers. Perfect for glassware, bottles, and heavy items. Ask staff when deliveries come in.
- Supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, Aldi): Banana boxes are the gold standard — sturdy, uniform size, easy to stack. Ask staff 30 minutes before closing when they're breaking down pallets.
- Facebook Marketplace: Search "free moving boxes" in your suburb. People who've just moved are desperate to get rid of boxes. Be quick — free boxes go fast.
- Buy Nothing Project groups: Active in most Australian suburbs. Post a request for boxes and you'll often get responses within hours.
- Gumtree: Search "free boxes" or "moving boxes free" in your area. Often people will give them away for free if you collect.
- Officeworks: Ask for leftover paper ream boxes. They're uniform sizes and very sturdy.
- Your workplace: Copy paper boxes are perfect for books and heavy items. Ask the office manager before recycling day.
Tip: Start collecting free boxes 3–4 weeks before your move. Store them flat until needed. Avoid boxes that are water-damaged, insect-infested, or have been used for food (attracts pests in storage).
Packing Tips for a Smooth Move
Follow these Australian-tested packing tips to protect your belongings and save time:
- Pack room by room: Label every box with the room name and a brief description of contents. Use colour-coded labels (e.g., blue for kitchen, green for bedrooms) for quick identification on moving day.
- Pack an essentials box last, unpack first: Include phone chargers, toiletries, change of clothes, medications, kettle, tea/coffee, toilet paper, bin bags, and basic tools. Keep this box with you, not on the truck.
- Wrap fragile items individually: Each plate, glass, and bowl should be individually wrapped in packing paper. Stack plates vertically (like records) not flat — they're stronger on edge.
- Fill gaps in boxes: Newspaper, towels, and clothing make excellent gap fillers. Boxes should be firm when closed — if they cave in when stacked, contents may break.
- Don't over-pack large boxes: A large tea chest full of books will weigh 30+ kg and be dangerous to lift. Use small boxes for books and heavy items.
- Seal boxes properly: Use the H-tape method — tape the centre seam and both edges of the bottom flap. This prevents blowouts. Don't skip bottom taping.
- Disassemble and bag hardware: Remove legs from tables, take apart bed frames. Put screws and bolts in labelled zip-lock bags and tape them to the furniture piece.