How Many Boxes to Move a 2-Bedroom Apartment?
Two-bedroom moves vary more than any other size, because the second bedroom can be anything from a nearly empty guest room to a packed home office or a child's room. Start with the room-by-room table, then adjust for how that second room is actually used.
Direct answer
Most 2-bedroom apartment moves need about 40-60 boxes. A typical household lands near 50 boxes. You will need more if you have a full kitchen, packed closets, many books, or long-term storage, and fewer if you declutter first or live lightly.
For an estimate adjusted to your household, use the Moving Box Calculator.
Box estimate by room
| Area | Estimated boxes | What usually goes in them |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | 10-14 | Dishes, glassware, cookware, pantry, appliances |
| Main bedroom | 6-9 | Clothing, bedding, shoes, personal items |
| Second bedroom | 5-8 | Depends heavily on use - see the section below |
| Living room | 8-12 | Books, electronics, decor, media, lamps |
| Bathrooms | 3-4 | Toiletries, towels, cleaning supplies |
| Closets and storage | 8-13 | Linens, seasonal items, documents, hobby gear |
Room-by-room counts are the most reliable way to estimate. Walk through each area, count what cannot stay in furniture drawers or suitcases, and add a 10-15% buffer so you do not run out during the final days.
Recommended box mix
| Box type | Suggested count | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Small boxes | 15 | Books, dishes, pantry, tools, heavy items |
| Medium boxes | 22 | Most household items, clothing, toys, decor |
| Large boxes | 10 | Bedding, pillows, coats, bulky light items |
| Wardrobe / specialty | 3 | Hanging clothes, mirrors, lamps, art |
Keep heavy items in small boxes so every box stays liftable. Large boxes are only for light, bulky things like bedding, pillows, and coats.
What is in the second bedroom?
Estimate the second bedroom separately based on how it is used - it swings the total by 10-15 boxes:
| Second bedroom use | Extra boxes | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Guest room | 3-5 | Mostly linens and light decor - the easy case |
| Home office | 6-10 | Books, paper files, cables, and electronics add up fast |
| Child's room | 7-10 | Toys, books, and clothing in multiple sizes |
| Roommate's room | 8-12 | A full second wardrobe and personal library |
| Storage room | 10-15 | The highest-variance case - count the bins before estimating |
Example
Two roommates who keep separate rooms and split the kitchen typically pack 45-55 boxes. A couple with a baby in the second bedroom usually lands at 50-60, because children's rooms add toys, clothes in several sizes, and gear that all needs boxing.
What to buy first
A practical starter order for a 2-bedroom apartment: 15 small boxes, 22 medium boxes, 8 large boxes, 4 rolls of tape, packing paper, labels. Buy the rest after the first packing weekend, when you can see how much is left. The Moving Supplies Calculator also estimates tape, labels, and packing paper.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes do I need for a 2-bedroom apartment?
Most 2-bedroom apartments need about 40-60 boxes. The second bedroom's use - guest room, office, kid's room, or roommate - is the biggest variable.
How many boxes for a 2-bedroom apartment with two roommates?
Usually 45-60 boxes total. Two full wardrobes and duplicated personal items push roommate households toward the top of the range.
How long does it take to pack 50 boxes?
Roughly 20-35 hours of actual packing time for most households - about 2-3 full days, or two weeks of evening sessions.
What size moving truck fits a 2-bedroom apartment?
A 15-17 ft truck handles most 2-bedroom apartments in one trip. Heavy furniture or 60+ boxes may call for a 20 ft truck.