Boxes for Moving House: Sizes, Types and Where to Buy

The right boxes make a house move dramatically less stressful, and the wrong ones split at the worst possible moment. This guide covers the box sizes and types you actually need, how many to get for your home, what to look for in a strong box, and where to buy them without paying over the odds.

At a glance

Go for: Double-walled corrugated boxes
Heavy items: Small boxes (books, records)
Light and bulky: Large or extra-large boxes
Rule of thumb: Better too many than too few

Key takeaways

Use a mix of sizes. Small boxes for heavy things, large and extra-large for light, bulky items.
Buy double-walled corrugated boxes for strength; single-wall boxes are a false economy for a full move.
Estimate generously. Running out mid-pack is far more annoying than having a few spare.
Shop around. Supermarkets, DIY shops and online kits all sell them, and a bundle usually beats buying boxes one by one.

The box sizes you need

Getting the sizes right is half the battle. Heavy items in a huge box become impossible to lift; light items in tiny boxes waste trips. The standard mix is:

Small (around 18 x 12 x 12 inches). For heavy items: books, records, tins, tools. If you can barely lift it, the box is too big.
Medium. The workhorse size for kitchen items, toys and general belongings.
Large (around 18 x 18 x 18 inches). For lighter, bulkier things like pans, lampshades and toys.
Extra-large (around 24 x 18 x 18 inches). For bedding, duvets, pillows and clothes.
Specialist boxes. Wardrobe boxes with a hanging rail, and dish or glass boxes with dividers, are worth it for clothes and fragile china.

A ready-made moving kit with a mix of sizes, plus tape and bubble wrap, is usually the easiest and cheapest way to cover it:

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How many boxes will you need?

As a rough guide for an average move:

One-bedroom flat: 15 to 25 boxes.
Two-bedroom house: 30 to 40 boxes.
Three-bedroom house: 45 to 60 boxes.
Four-bedroom house: 60 or more.

The exact number depends on how long you have lived there and how much you have accumulated. For a detailed breakdown by room and box size, see our guide to how many boxes you will need to move house.

What makes a box strong enough

Not all cardboard is equal. For a move, look for:

Double-wall corrugated construction. Two layers of fluting make the box far more resistant to crushing and stacking, which matters in a loaded van.
A sensible weight limit. Even a strong box has a limit; do not fill a large box with books.
Reusable quality, if you can. Sturdier boxes survive the move and can be sold on, stored, or passed to the next mover.

Free supermarket boxes can supplement a move, but they are often flimsy, mismatched and awkward to stack, so they are best kept for light, non-fragile items.

Where to buy moving boxes

You have a few options:

Online kits bundle a range of sizes with tape and wrap, delivered to your door, which is usually the least hassle.
DIY and homeware shops such as B&Q and Argos sell packs, handy if you need them the same day.
Removal companies and specialist box suppliers sell heavier-duty boxes, sometimes with click-and-collect.
Free sources, like supermarket offcuts or local buy-nothing groups, work for topping up.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best size box for moving?

There is no single best size. Use small boxes for heavy items and large or extra-large for light, bulky ones. A mix is what you want.

Are double-walled boxes worth it?

For a house move, yes. They resist crushing and stack safely in a van, which single-wall boxes often do not.

Where can I get moving boxes cheaply?

A bundled moving kit is usually the best value, topped up with free supermarket boxes for light items.

Once the boxes are sorted, work out how many you will need, check who to inform when moving house, and if you are moving a record collection, see the best boxes for moving vinyl records.