For most moves you'll need roughly one tote for every 25–30 lbs of belongings. As a quick rule of thumb: a studio needs about 15–20 totes, a 1-bedroom 25–35, a 2-bedroom 40–50, a 3-bedroom 55–70, and a 4+ bedroom home 75–90. Our 102L totes each hold roughly the same as 1.5 standard cardboard boxes.
Totes by home size
| Home size | Totes needed | Package |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / bachelor | 15–20 | Studio / Student Starter ($99) |
| 1-bedroom | 25–35 | 1-Bedroom ($119) |
| 2-bedroom | 40–50 | 2-3 Bedroom ($189) |
| 3-bedroom | 55–70 | 2-3 Bedroom ($189) |
| 4+ bedrooms | 75–90 | 4-5 Bedroom ($269) |
What changes the number
The ranges above cover a typical household. Add totes if you have a lot of books, kitchenware, or a home office — these are dense and fill totes fast. You'll need fewer if you live minimally or move large items (furniture, mattresses) separately, since those don't go in totes at all.
A few quick benchmarks: a full kitchen usually takes 8–12 totes, a bookshelf 3–5 totes, and a bedroom closet 4–6 totes.
Better to have one too many
When in doubt, round up. With ToteRental.ca you can return unused totes early, and having an extra two or three on hand beats running short on moving day. Every package includes a free moving dolly, free delivery and pickup, and a two-week rental.
Still not sure?
Use our free tote calculator for a tailored estimate, or text us at (226) 780-8295 and we'll help you figure it out. See all packages and pricing.
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