The size of the moving box is determined by their overall dimensions. Their internal volume is then calculated from this which is the most important number when assessing how many items can be packed inside the box.
Standard moving boxes will either be medium or large, their actual size and volume will depend on the manufacturer
With many options for moving boxes to select from, the box you need will depending on what your full moving requirements are. The most specialised moving box types are TV boxes and wardrobe boxes. These boxes along with other types of flat shaped boxes will allow you to pack everything outside of the furniture itself from your home.
Standard Moving Box Sizes for Popular Box Manufacturers
We’ve collected the standard moving sizes from some of the main hardware stores and listed them. The standard size of moving box is typically either medium or large. The volume measurement is most important here as that dictates the actual amount of space you have to load your items into.
| U-Haul Moving Box | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Volume | Strength Rating | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 16-3/8" x 12-5/8" x 12-5/8" | 1.5 cu/ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Medium | 18 1/8" x 18" x 16" | 3 cu/ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Large | 18" x 18" x 24" | 4.5 cu/ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Extra Large | 24" x 18" x 24" | 6 cu/ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Lowes Moving Box | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Volume | Strength Rating | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 16" x 12 " x 12" | 1.33 cu ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Medium | 18" x 16" x 18" | 3.0 cu/ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Large | 24" x 18" x 18" | 4.5 cu/ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Extra Large | 22" x 21.5" x 22" | 6 cu/ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Home Depot Moving Box | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Volume | Strength Rating | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 17" x 11" x 11" | 1.19 cu ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Medium | 21" x 15" x 16" | 3.05 cu ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Large | 27" x 15" x 16" | 4.13 cu ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
| Extra Large | 24" x 20" x 21" | 5.83 cu ft | ECT-32 | 65lbs |
Not only is it possible to get moving boxes from hardware stores. There are huge opportunities to get good value, quality moving boxes from many stores, including the likes of Walmart.
Walmart size and volume when compared to boxes from hardware store Lowes
| Moving Box Size | Walmart Dimensions (L x W x H) | Walmart Volume | Lowes Dimensions (L x W x H) | Lowes Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 17" x 11" x 13" | 1.4 cu/ft | 16" x 12 " x 12" | 1.33 cu ft |
| Medium | 19" x 14" x 17" | 2.6 cu/ft | 18" x 16" x 18" | 3.0 cu/ft |
| Large | 24" x 16" x 19" | 4.2 cu/ft | 24" x 18" x 18" | 4.5 cu/ft |
| Extra Large | - | - | 22" x 21.5" x 22" | 6 cu/ft |
Standard Moving Box Sizes Heavy Duty Options
Heavy duty boxes are sized similarly dimensionally to the standard size boxes. Difference being is that there are less available sizes to pick from. The only difference between these and the standard moving boxes are that they have stronger sidewalls. This means they can carry more overall weight before collapse and do a better job of protecting the items inside due to their harder and tougher exterior. Regardless of the general increased cost compared to standard boxes, there are still many great value heavy duty box deals available.
| Moving Box Size | U-Haul Dimensions (L x W x H) | U-Haul Volume | Home Depot Dimensions (L x W x D) | Home Depot Volume | Lowes Dimensions (W x H x D) | Lowes Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Small | - | - | - | - | 12" x 10" x 15" | 1.045 cu/ft |
| Small | 16-3/8" x 12-5/8" x 12-5/8" | 1.5 cu/ft | 17" x 11" x 11" | 1.19 cu/ft | 16" x 12 " x 12" | 1.33 cu/ft |
| Medium | 18 1/8" x 18" x 16" | 3 cu/ft | 21" x 15" x 16" | 3.05 cu/ft | 18" x 16" x 18" | 3.0 cu/ft |
| Large | 18" x 18" x 24" | 4.5 cu/ft | 27" x 15" x 16" | 4.13 cu/ft | 24" x 18" x 18" | 4.5 cu/ft |
| Extra Large | 24" x 18" x 24" | 6 cu/ft | 24" x 20" x 21" | 5.83 cu/ft | - | - |
| U-Haul Wardrobe Moving Box | Full Retail Price |
|---|---|
| Laydown | $7.95 |
| Shorty | $11.95 |
| Regular | $11.95 |
| Medium | $14.95 |
| Grand | $15.95 |
| Large | $16.95 |
Sizes for Standard TV Moving Boxes
TV moving boxes are the best moving box type for moving flat screen LED and plasma widescreens. Additionally paintings, artwork and photos can also be fitted in TV moving boxes if the correct cushioning is used.
| Moving Box Size | U-Haul Dimensions (L x W x H) | Edge Crush Testing Score | Home Depot Dimensions (L x W x H) | Edge Crush Testing Score | Lowes Dimensions (L x W x H) | Edge Crush Testing Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium | 24-1/4" x 6-1/8" x 25-5/8" | ECT-36 | 25.25" x 5.9" x 25.9" | ECT-42 | 24" x 5" x 24" | ECT-44 |
| Large | 36.5" x 6" x 40" | ECT-48 | 37.5" x 6.4" x 41.25" | ECT-42 | 41" x 6" x 36.25" | ECT-44 |
| Extra Large | 48" x 6-5/16" x 48" | ECT-48 | 48" x 6.4" x 48.4" | ECT-42 | - | - |
What is the Average Strength Rating of a Standard Size Moving Box?
The ECT rating of a box is its indicator of approximate strength. The maximum weight the box can carry, the amount of weight you are able to stack on top of the box, and the force the sidewalls can take before collapse is all tied to this ECT rating.
| ECT Rating | Maximum Weight Capacity | Number of Corrugated Walls |
|---|---|---|
| ECT-32 | 65lbs | Single |
| ECT-44 | 95lbs | Single |
| ECT-48 | 100lbs | Double |
| ECT-51 | 120lbs | Double |
| ECT-90 | 280lbs | Triple |
| ECT-155 | 300lbs | Triple |
The rating of most standard boxes is ECT-32. These are boxes that are budget friendly, still accommodating the most common uses of a moving box. For the most part this is enough box to carry the majority of your household items, as long as you don’t overload them. For special cases where you are carrying items that may be significantly heavier on average. Then a double walled box with a much higher ECT rating would be more appropriate as it is far less likely to collapse or become deformed.
When Will I Need to Use Stronger Rating Boxes?
Examples where a higher ECT rated box would be appropriate are for TV boxes. Here carrying a heavier item which is delicate needed extra protection. A thicker walled, more durable box will protect the item and the handles will be less likely to fail while you are carrying such a heavy load.
What Is the Average Cost of a Standard Size Moving Box?
Given that the standard size of moving box is medium or large, the prices from major box distributors have been listed below. It is clear that hardware stores offer the best value proposition when it comes to their standard moving boxes. In addition store such as Walmart, while not offering the same overall wide range of box types, do offer great value on the boxes they do have in stock.
If not available near you then Amazon offer good value if buying boxes in lower quantities, also offering great delivery service and times for those who need moving boxes urgently.
Cost Average
Amongst the boxes listed, the average price for a large sized, standard ECT-32 rated box with a regular open flap top, came out at $2.76.
| U-Haul Classic Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost Per Box RRP (As A Bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $27.25 (25 Pack) | $1.09 |
| Medium | $32.60 (20 Pack) | $1.63 |
| Large | $29.55 (15 Pack) | $1.97 |
| Extra Large | $28.70 (10 Pack) | $2.87 |
| The Home Depot Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost Per Box RRP (As A Bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $21.78 (20 Pack) | $1.09 |
| Medium | $41.45 (20 Pack) | $2.07 |
| Large | $39.97 (20 Pack) | $2.00 |
| Extra Large | $54.67 (20 Pack) | $2.73 |
| Lowes Classic Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost Per Box RRP (As A Bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $32.58 (20 Pack) | $1.63 |
| Medium | $44.58 (20 Pack) | $2.23 |
| Large | $54.48 (20 Pack) | $2.72 |
| Extra Large | $74.48 (20 Pack) | $3.72 |
| Walmart Standard Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost Per Box RRP (As A Bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $25.00 (25 Pack) | $1.00 |
| Medium | $38.74 (25 Pack) | $1.55 |
| Large | $51.50 (25 Pack) | $2.06 |
| Amazon Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost per unit (when purchased as a bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Bankers Box Smoothmove Large | $53.43 ( 6 pack) | $8.91 |
| Cheap! Cheap! Large Moving Boxes | $48.00 (12 pack) | $4.00 |
| Aviditi Heavy Duty Large Moving Box | $76.99 (2 pack) | $5.13 |
| Amazon's Basics Large Cardboard Moving Box | $45.66 (12 pack) | $3.81 |
Conclusion – What Size Is a Standard Moving Box
The standard size of a moving box is a medium or large.
Medium sized boxes usually have a volume of 2.7-3.2 cubic feet, with average dimensions of 18″ x 16″ x 18″.
Large sized boxes have a volume between 4.1 – 4.5 cubic feet, with average dimensions of 24″ x 18″ x 18″.
These standard sizes are best suited when moving home and need to pack the most common daily household items. These include but are not limited to:
- Kitchen blenders
- Sheets and Pillows
- Electronic Devices
- Cleaning Products
- Bathroom toiletries
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