Packing Material for House Shifting: How Many Boxes Do You Need?
As a rough guide, a 1 RK needs 10 to 20 medium cartons, a 1 BHK 25 to 40, a 2 BHK 40 to 60 and a 3 BHK 60 to 90, depending mostly on how much kitchenware, books and clothes you have. Alongside the boxes you need packing tape, bubble wrap, stretch film, foam or corrugated sheet for furniture, and markers for labels. Use 5-ply cartons for heavy and fragile items and 3-ply for clothes and linen.
Running out of boxes on the last night is the most common DIY packing problem, and the wrong boxes cause most breakages. Here is what to buy, how much, and how to use it.
How many boxes do I need for a 1 BHK, 2 BHK or 3 BHK?
| Home | Medium cartons (rough guide) | Tape rolls | Bubble wrap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 RK / single room | 10 – 20 | 2 – 3 | 1 roll |
| 1 BHK | 25 – 40 | 4 – 6 | 1 – 2 rolls |
| 2 BHK | 40 – 60 | 6 – 8 | 2 – 3 rolls |
| 3 BHK | 60 – 90 | 8 – 12 | 3 – 4 rolls |
These are starting points, not promises. A family kitchen, a book collection or a puja room can add ten or more boxes on its own; a newly set-up flat needs fewer. Buy a few extra: unused cartons are cheap, a last-minute shop run is not.
What packing materials do I need for shifting?
| Material | Use it for |
|---|---|
| 5-ply cartons | Utensils, crockery, books, small appliances, anything heavy or fragile |
| 3-ply cartons | Clothes, linen, soft toys, light kitchen items |
| Bubble wrap | Glass, crockery, electronics, photo frames, showpieces |
| Stretch film | Sofas, mattresses, wardrobe doors, keeping drawers shut |
| Corrugated sheet roll | Wrapping furniture edges, tables, the back of a fridge |
| Foam sheet and corner guards | TV screens, glass tops, polished wood |
| Packing paper or clean newsprint | Wrapping plates and filling gaps (newsprint ink can mark white crockery) |
| Brown or clear packing tape, with dispenser | Sealing every box top and bottom |
| Thick markers and labels | Room, contents and "fragile" or "this side up" |
| Zip bags | Screws, bolts, remotes, chargers, keys |
Should I use 3-ply or 5-ply cartons?
Ply is the number of paper layers in the carton wall. A 3-ply box has one fluted layer and is fine for light, soft goods. A 5-ply box has two and holds its shape under weight, which matters when cartons are stacked in a truck for hours.
Use 5-ply for the kitchen, books, tools and anything breakable. Second-hand grocery boxes are tempting, but they are often weak, damp or sized oddly, and they can carry pests from the shop. For anything heavy or fragile, buy new.
Where can I get cartons and packing material for shifting?
- Packaging material shops in your local market sell new cartons, tape and bubble wrap, often by the piece.
- Online stores deliver moving kits, though box sizes vary and delivery can take a few days.
- From your mover. If you hire full-service packers, materials are part of the price. Our local rates include packing materials, packing labour, loading, transport and unloading.
If you are packing yourself to save money, our DIY packing tips show which rooms are worth doing yourself and which to leave to packers.
How should I pack and label the boxes?
- Heavy items in small boxes, light items in large ones. A large box full of books is too heavy to carry safely.
- Keep each box liftable by one person, and stop short of the top so the lid closes flat.
- Tape the bottom in an H pattern (along the seam and across both edges).
- Fill gaps with paper or linen so nothing shifts.
- Label two sides with the room, a short contents list and "fragile" or "this side up" where needed. Number the boxes and keep a list on your phone.
- Pack one "open first" box with toiletries, chargers, medicines, a kettle, a few utensils and a change of clothes for each person.
For glass and crockery, follow our fragile packing guide, and for the kitchen, how to pack kitchen items.
How much does packing cost with packers and movers?
In our standard local rates, packing (materials and labour together) is about ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 of the price for a 1 BHK and ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 for a 2 BHK. The full local move, with labour and transport, is ₹6,500 to ₹9,500 for a 1 BHK and ₹10,500 to ₹15,500 for a 2 BHK, before GST. The final charge is confirmed in a written quotation after a survey, and may vary with the volume of goods, building access, distance, moving date and prevailing fuel and toll costs.
See the packing and unpacking service if you want packing done without the move, or the full rate card.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many boxes do I need to shift a 1 BHK?
Roughly 25 to 40 medium cartons, plus 4 to 6 rolls of tape and 1 to 2 rolls of bubble wrap. A large kitchen or a book collection can add ten or more boxes.
How many cartons are needed for a 2 BHK house shifting?
Usually 40 to 60 medium cartons, with 6 to 8 rolls of tape and 2 to 3 rolls of bubble wrap. Use 5-ply cartons for the kitchen and books.
Which carton is best for shifting: 3-ply or 5-ply?
Use 5-ply cartons for heavy and fragile items such as utensils, crockery and books, and 3-ply cartons for clothes and linen.
Is packing material included in packers and movers charges?
With full-service packers and movers it usually is. Multishift local rates include packing materials, packing, loading, transport and unloading; ask any mover to confirm this in the written quotation.
Can I use old grocery boxes for shifting?
For clothes and light items, if they are dry and sturdy. Avoid them for heavy or fragile goods: they are often weak or damp and can carry pests.
Rather not pack 40 boxes yourself? Our packing crew brings the cartons, bubble wrap and stretch film, packs room by room and labels every box.
Book a Free Survey Slot Call +91 99877 83407Sources
- Multishift rate card and packing service page, October 2026
- Carton counts are rough guides from typical household moves; your surveyor counts exactly