When it comes to moving, packing your items safely is one of the most important things you can do. Buying the right moving boxes is a crucial part of that task.
Many of the best moving companies sell boxes directly. There’s also no shortage of online and in-person locations to acquire moving boxes. And with some ingenuity, you can even get some for free. Here’s how to figure out what boxes you need for your move, what they’ll cost and where you can buy them.
Key takeaways
You can buy moving boxes online or in person from many major retailers, such as Walmart, Home Depot and Lowe's.
Your moving company likely offers moving boxes, and it may be the easiest way to get what you need.
If you need dozens of boxes, Amazon may be your best bet as it sells in bulk.
Moving boxes can be expensive, up to $325 for enough to pack up your entire home. Find free boxes through online marketplaces if you are on a tight budget.
How much do moving boxes cost?
Experts suggest moving a three-bedroom home can require anywhere from 80 to 134 boxes. Assuming you only use medium-sized boxes, this could cost anywhere from $195 to $325.
Moving boxes will range in price based on a few factors, namely the box size and the manufacturer. Here are some of the most common sizes of moving boxes, broken down and explained with help by Gayla Dixon, Mayflower’s residential sales manager:
- Small: These are useful for heavy or fragile items that must be packaged alone. The average for small boxes is $2.06 per box.
- Medium: These are the most commonly used moving boxes for smaller appliances and other household items. The average for medium boxes is $2.94 per box.
- Large: These boxes are suited for light- and medium-weight items like lampshades, clothes and pillows. The average for large boxes is $4.20 per box.
- Extra-large: These boxes are geared toward lighter but bulkier items such as blankets, clothes and comforters. The average for extra-large boxes is $5.10 per box.
- Heavy-duty: The thicker reinforcement in the walls of these boxes makes them suitable for things like book collections and electronics. The average for medium heavy-duty boxes is $5.26 per box.
- Wardrobe boxes: These include a hanger bar to transport dresses, shirts and suits, to avoid having to fold clothes. The average for wardrobe boxes is $19.33 per box.
Where to buy moving boxes online
Ordering moving boxes online can be an easy way to manage your moving workload. Some popular sites that will ship directly to you include:
Amazon
While Amazon has plenty of moving boxes available, including small, medium and large options from AmazonBasics, it can be challenging to purchase a single box. This will be a better site to buy from if you’re looking for 10, 15 or 20 packs of boxes.
CVS
CVS offers three sizes of boxes. Fortunately, you can purchase them individually.
Home Depot
Home Depot features a wide range of sizes from extra small to extra-large in standard and heavy-duty box styles. You can order the boxes individually or as many as 360 boxes for select sizes simultaneously.
Lowe’s
Much like Home Depot, you can expect a wide range of sizes from small through extra-large with Lowe’s, in both standard and heavy-duty. They can also be purchased individually or in larger quantities.
Office Depot
Office Depot sells a few different sizes of boxes, with the option to purchase many individually or in larger quantities. However, it tends to be more expensive than other retailers.
Staples
Staples includes a wide range of moving boxes and lets you specify size ranges by length, width and height in the search section.
Uboxes
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all the boxes you need, Uboxes, which offers box kits, is excellent. You can purchase boxes in orders of 10 or more for a particular size at slightly above-average prices.
U-Haul
U-Haul offers boxes ranging from small to extra-large, television boxes, mirror boxes, wine shippers and others. Additionally, you can purchase complete kits catered to your specific needs, such as apartment kits, one-to-two-bedroom kits and three-to-four-bedroom household kits.
ULine
ULine is a great choice if you want to buy all the packing boxes you need at once. It offers options from small to extra-large, wardrobe moving boxes, TV boxes, glass and dish boxes, suit shippers and many others. You can’t purchase individual boxes from them, though. Instead, you’ll need to buy in quantities of 10 to 250 boxes.
Walmart
Walmart features a few different box brands, and you should be able to find the sizes you need, but you can only purchase individual boxes online in some cases.
Compare moving boxes
Moving boxes come in a variety of sizes, styles and thicknesses. The most common include small, medium, large, extra large, wardrobe and heavy-duty boxes — which are thicker but tend to come in the sizes mentioned earlier. Be aware that there will be some differences in the dimensions of each box depending on the manufacturer.
Small moving boxes by online retailer
|
Size: Small
|
Cost
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics | 16 x 10 x 10 inches |
$2.43 ($36.41 for 15) |
| Home Depot | 17 x 11 x 11 inches |
$1.38 |
| Lowe’s | 16 x 12 x 12 inches |
$1.38 |
| Office Depot | 16-1/2 x 12-3/4 x 12 5/8 inches |
$4.39 |
| Staples | 16 x 10 x 10 inches |
$2.00 ($50.09 for 25) |
| Uboxes | 16 x 10 x 10 inches |
$2.60 ($39 for 15) |
| U-Haul | 16-3/8 x 12-5/8 x 12-5/8 inches |
$1.99 |
| ULine | 16 x 12 x 12 inches |
$1.42 (Can only order a minimum of 25) |
| Walmart | 17 x 11 x 13 inches |
$1.00 |
Medium moving boxes by online retailer
|
Size: Medium
|
Cost
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics | 18 x 14 x 12 inches |
$3.32 ($33.24 for a 10-pack) |
| Home Depot | 21 x 15 x 16 inches |
$1.98 |
| Lowe’s | 18 x 18 x 16 inches |
$1.98 |
| Office Depot | 18 x 18 x 18 inches |
$5.79 |
| Staples | 18 x 15 x 15 inches |
$3.12 ($62.39 for 20) |
| Uboxes | 18 x 14 x 12 inches |
$3.90 ($39 for 10) |
| U-Haul | 18 1/8 x 18 x 16 inches |
$2.49 |
| ULine | 18 x 18 x 16 inches |
$2.40 (Can only order a minimum of 10) |
| Walmart | 19 x 14 x 17 inches |
$1.54 ($38.74 for 25) |
|
Size: Heavy-duty (Medium)
|
Cost
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | 21 x 15 x 16 inches |
$3.48 |
| Lowe’s | 18 x 18 x 16 inches |
$3.48 |
| Staples | 18 x 18 x 15 inches |
$3.95 ($78.99 for 20) |
| U-Haul | 18-1/8 x 18 x 16 inches |
$3.95 |
| ULine | 18 x 18 x 18 inches |
$5.26 (cost when you order 10 to 25 boxes) |
| Walmart | 16 x 16 x 15 inches |
$11.47 ($22.95 for 2) |
Large moving boxes by online retailer
|
Size: Large
|
Cost
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics | 20 x 20 x 15 inches |
$3.47 ($41.61 for 12) |
| Home Depot | 27 x 15 x 16 inches |
$2.48 |
| Lowe’s | 24 x 18 x 18 inches |
$2.48 |
| Office Depot | 20 x 20 x 24 inches |
$5.29 |
| Staples | 20 x 18 x 18 inches |
$4.95 ($98.99 for 20) |
| Uboxes | 20 x 20 x 15 inches |
$6.50 ($39 for 6) |
| U-Haul | 18 x 18 x 24 inches |
$3.35 |
| ULine | 18 x 18 x 24 inches |
$3.05 (Can only order a minimum of 10) |
| Walmart | 20 x 20 x 18 inches |
$6.24 ($62.40 for 10) |
Extra-large moving boxes by online retailer
|
Size: Extra-large
|
Cost
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | 24 x 20 x 21 inches |
$3.48 |
| Lowe’s | 22 x 22 x 21.5 inches |
$3.48 |
| Staples | 24 x 20 x 20 inches |
$5.40 ($107.99 for 20) |
| Uboxes | 23 x 23 x 16 inches |
$8.60 ($43 for 5) |
| U-Haul | 24 x 18 x 24 inches |
$4.25 |
| ULine | 24 x 24 x 18 inches |
$5.87 (Can only order a minimum of 10) |
| Walmart | 23 x 23 x 16 inches |
$4.67 ($46.75 for 10) |
Wardrobe moving boxes by online retailer
|
Size: Wardrobe
|
Cost
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics | 20 x 20 x 34 inches |
$21.09 ($63.27 for 3) |
| Home Depot | 24 x 24 x 24 inches |
$17.98 |
| Lowe’s | 35 x 24.4 x 24.8 inches |
$17.98 |
| Office Depot | 40 1/4 x 24 3/8 x 24 3/8 inches |
$24.83 (74.49 for 3) |
| Staples | 20 x 20 x 45 inches |
$24.59 ($122.99 for five) |
| Uboxes | 20 x 20 x 34 inches |
$23.50 |
| U-Haul | 18 x 21 x 46 inches |
$17.95 |
| ULine | 24 x 20 x 34 inches |
$15.55 (cost when you order 5 - 9 boxes) |
| Walmart | 20 x 20 x 34 inches |
$10.51 (42.05 for 4) |
Where to buy moving boxes in person
If you can’t wait for boxes to be shipped to you, there are options to purchase moving boxes in person. CVS, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Office Depot, U-Haul and Walgreens all have physical locations. Ensure that your local store has the boxes you want before going to purchase them, as not all of them will.
Here are some more options if you’re wondering where to buy moving boxes near you:
Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware offers moving boxes, but they are pricier and limited in sizing compared to other options.
FedEx Office
While these boxes will be much more expensive than many other choices out there, if you are in a pinch and just need a few, it may be worth checking your local FedEx office.
UPS
Many UPS stores will sell various moving boxes in standard and heavy-duty styles. Be sure to call ahead to ensure your location offers this and has what you are looking for.
How many moving boxes will I need?
Deciding how many and which size boxes you should purchase will depend on what you are moving. You will most likely need a mix of small, medium, large and extra-large boxes to move a room successfully.
“A general rule is six to eight small boxes per room, eight to 10 medium boxes per room, two to four large boxes per room, two to four wardrobe boxes per room and two to four mirror cartons per room,” said Dixon. She also noted you’ll also want some uniformity in your boxes, as it makes it easier to stack and carry them.
While the above rule can be helpful, consider using an online box calculator for a more tailored experience.
Tips to save money on moving boxes
A few helpful tools to prevent you from spending a fortune on boxes include:
- Throwing out or donating anything that you don’t need before packing.
- Using storage items in your house for storage on the go. “Typically, items in the dresser/nightstand can be left if they are soft items such as clothing, bedding, towels, etc.,” said Dixon.
- Another Dixon recommendation is asking friends or neighbors if they have any boxes, mainly focusing on anyone who moved recently.
- Use Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or Buy Nothing groups to see if people want to offload boxes for free.
- Dixon also suggested asking grocery or retail stores for empty boxes, but she did note that “while these are an inexpensive and sometimes free way to find materials, these boxes aren’t the best option if you want to protect your items while moving.”
