Moving box sizes
Small, medium, large and extra-large moving boxes with their standard dimensions, plus wardrobe and dish boxes. See who sells each size.
6 boxes fit
Width 30–62, depth 30–62, height 25–65 cm-
45.7 × 45.7 × 40.6 cm Scotch 18" X 18" X 16" Mailing, Moving & Storage Box
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2×61 × 38.1 × 25.4 cm Bankers Box Smoothmove Prime Large Moving Boxes, Lift Lid, 24l X 15w X 10h, Kraft/blue, 8/ct
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2×40.6 × 40.6 × 30.5 cm Scotch Mailing/moving/storage Box - 16" X 16" X 12"
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2×
34.9 × 31.8 × 31.8 cm KVARNVIK Storage box with lid -
2×
31.8 × 34.9 × 31.1 cm GÄRDESGÅRD Storage box with lid -
2×
31.8 × 34.9 × 31.1 cm FJÄDERHARV Storage box with lid
Moving boxes come in four standard sizes in the United States, and nearly every retailer uses the same numbers even if the labels differ. Smaller boxes are for heavy things, larger boxes for light things: a large box full of books cannot be lifted.
The standard sizes
- Small, 1.5 cubic feet: 16 × 12 × 12 in (41 × 30 × 30 cm). Books, canned food, tools, records.
- Medium, 3 cubic feet: 18 × 18 × 16 in (46 × 46 × 41 cm). Kitchen items, toys, small appliances. The all-purpose box.
- Large, 4.5 cubic feet: 18 × 18 × 24 in (46 × 46 × 61 cm). Bedding, lampshades, pillows, clothes.
- Extra large, 6 cubic feet: 24 × 18 × 24 in (61 × 46 × 61 cm). Comforters and light bulky things only.
- Wardrobe box: 24 × 24 × 40 in (61 × 61 × 102 cm) with a hanging rail.
- Dish pack: 18 × 18 × 28 in (46 × 46 × 71 cm) with double walls.
Home Depot, Lowe's, U-Haul, Target and Amazon all sell these sizes; the dimensions are close enough that boxes from different stores stack together.
How many you need
A rough rule: 10 small, 8 medium and 5 large boxes per room of a furnished home, more for kitchens and bookshelves. Buy a few more than you think; unused boxes can be returned or flattened.
The search below shows cardboard boxes in the four standard sizes. Narrow the sliders to a single size to compare prices.
Other common spaces
- 13 × 13 cube storage binsFabric cubes, plastic bins and baskets that fit standard 13 in cube organizers from ClosetMaid, Better Homes, Threshold and IKEA.
- Bins that fit an IKEA TROFAST frameTROFAST bins are 16 ½ × 11 ¾ in with 4 or 9 in height. See IKEA's own bins and third-party bins of the same size, in one search.
- Boxes that fit an IKEA KALLAX cubeEvery storage box, basket and insert that fits a KALLAX compartment, from IKEA and other retailers. Opening is 13 × 13 in; depth 15 in.
- Boxes that fit a BILLY bookcase shelfBILLY shelves are 11 in deep and 30 in wide inside. See every storage box, magazine file and basket that fits, with the shelf height you have set.
- File boxes for letter-size foldersFile boxes that hold hanging folders and letter-size paper, in cardboard and plastic, with and without lids. Search by outer size for your shelf or closet.
- Bins that fit a fridge shelfClear fridge bins sized for the shelf depth and the gap between shelves. Narrow, deep and low bins that keep drinks, produce and snacks in order.
- Bins that fit a pantry shelfClear pantry bins sized for shelf depth and the space between shelves. Narrow bins for cans and packets, wide ones for snacks, low ones for the top shelf.
- Photo storage boxes for 4 × 6 printsBoxes sized for 4 × 6 in photos, with room for dividers. Archival, plastic and decorative photo boxes from several retailers in one search.
- Shoe storage boxes that fit your shoesClear stackable shoe boxes, fabric boxes and drop-front boxes sized for sneakers, heels and boots. Search by the shoe size you own.
- Bins that fit a closet shelfBins and boxes sized for the standard 12 in and 16 in closet shelf, and for the tall gap above the top shelf. Find what fits before you buy.
- Boxes that fit under the bedFind under bed storage boxes by the clearance you have. Most beds leave 6 to 8 inches; measure yours and see every box that slides in.
- Bins that fit under the sinkUnder sink cabinets are wide but the drain and trap take the middle. See slim bins, pull-out drawers and stackable organizers sized for the space that is left.
- Boxes and crates that fit vinyl records12 in LPs need an inside width of at least 12 ¾ in. See every box and crate that fits records, and how many they hold.