How to use the packing supplies calculator
- Enter the number of boxes you will pack.
- Check the rates for each supply. They are examples: boxes sealed per roll of tape, sheets of packing paper per box, and feet of bubble wrap per box.
- Enter how many sheets come in a bundle of paper and how many feet are on a roll of bubble wrap, from the packages you plan to buy.
- Open More options to add a spare share and the prices, then read the rolls and bundles to buy and the total cost.
Formula
tape rolls = boxes / boxes per roll, rounded up
paper bundles = boxes x sheets per box / sheets per bundle, rounded up
bubble wrap rolls = boxes x feet per box / feet per roll, rounded up
with a spare share, multiply each amount by (1 + spare / 100) before rounding up
Each supply is rounded up on its own because you cannot buy part of a roll. The cost multiplies the whole rolls and bundles by the price you enter, and only the prices you fill in are added.
60 boxes
At one roll of tape for every 20 boxes, 60 boxes need 60 / 20 = 3 rolls. At 30 sheets of paper per box and 200 sheets per bundle, 1,800 sheets make 9 bundles. At 3 feet of bubble wrap per box and 30 feet per roll, 180 feet make 6 rolls.
With a 10% spare share the amounts become 3.3, 9.9 and 6.6, which round up to 4 rolls of tape, 10 bundles and 7 rolls. If tape costs $5, paper $12 and bubble wrap $20, the first plan costs 3 x 5 + 9 x 12 + 6 x 20 = $243 and the spare plan costs $280.
Why the rates are examples
How much tape a box takes depends on its size and how it is sealed, and how much paper you use depends on what is inside. Kitchen items and glassware take far more wrapping than books or linens. Use your own experience, or pack a few boxes and count what you used, then enter those rates.
Fragile boxes drive the bubble wrap figure, not the total box count. If only a few boxes need it, enter the average over all boxes, or run the page once for fragile boxes and again for the rest.
Planning the rest of the move
Count the boxes first with the Moving Boxes Calculator, add the supplies to the Moving Cost Calculator, and keep track of tasks with the Moving Checklist Generator.
Assumptions and limits
- All boxes are assumed to use the same rates of tape, paper and wrap.
- Each supply is rounded up to whole rolls or bundles.
- Boxes, markers, furniture pads and mattress covers are not counted.
- Prices are optional and only the ones you fill in are added.
Frequently asked questions
How much packing tape do I need for 60 boxes?
If one roll seals about 20 boxes, 60 boxes need 3 rolls. The rate is an example, so use the number from your last move if you know it.
How much bubble wrap do I need for a move?
Multiply the boxes that need protection by the feet you use in each, and divide by the feet on a roll. At 3 feet per box on 60 boxes with 30 foot rolls you need 6 rolls.
Should I buy extra supplies?
Many people buy a little extra in case boxes are added late. Use the spare share, such as 10 percent, to see what that does to each supply.
Why does the page round up each supply?
Tape and wrap come in whole rolls and paper in whole bundles. A result of 3.3 rolls means you need to buy 4.