Running out of packing paper mid-move means an awkward supply run with boxes half-wrapped. Enter your box count, fragile item count, kitchen size, and how generously you like to wrap for a quick estimate of how many sheets to buy.
The estimate starts with a base amount of paper for every box, since even sturdy items benefit from a layer of cushioning at the bottom, top, and sides. On top of that, each fragile item you list — glassware, dishes, decor, electronics, and similar pieces — adds its own sheets for individual wrapping, since those items typically need more attention than a shared layer of box cushioning provides. That subtotal is then scaled up for a fragile-heavy kitchen, since a large or delicate glassware collection needs more paper per item than a light one, and scaled again for how generously you like to wrap, from light cushioning to heavy padding for valuables. Finally, the result is rounded up to the nearest 25 sheets, since packing paper is typically bought and counted in bundles rather than one sheet at a time.
Say you're packing 30 boxes with 20 fragile items, at a Medium kitchen/glassware level with Standard wrapping intensity.
So this example lands on an estimate of about 425 sheets. Swap in your own box count, fragile item count, kitchen level, and wrapping intensity above to get a figure that matches your move.
This calculator provides a planning estimate, not an exact count of the packing paper you'll use. Actual paper consumption depends heavily on personal wrapping style — some people wrap loosely with a sheet or two per item, while others wrap much more generously, especially for irreplaceable or high-value pieces. It also depends on how fragile and oddly shaped your items are, and how tightly you pack your boxes, since loosely packed boxes often call for extra cushioning to fill empty space. Kitchen and glassware level and wrapping intensity adjust the estimate, but they're broad categories rather than an inventory of your specific items. Some movers also substitute bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or newspaper for part of their cushioning needs — this estimate doesn't subtract paper for that, so treat the result as a starting point and buy a bit extra if you're unsure.
It depends on the box and how the dishes are packed, but plan on a few sheets to individually wrap each plate or bowl, plus extra sheets to line the bottom and fill gaps. A box of dishes is best represented in this calculator through the fragile-item count rather than the base per-box amount, since each piece typically needs its own wrap.
Yes, some people do, and it works as a lower-cost substitute for general cushioning. The tradeoff is that newspaper ink can transfer onto light-colored dishes, glassware, and fabrics, so plain, unprinted packing paper is often preferred for those items even if newspaper is fine for filling empty space elsewhere in a box.
Buying a bit more than the estimate is a reasonable safety margin, since this number is a planning estimate rather than an exact count. Wrapping style, breakage, and last-minute items you didn't originally plan for can all push actual usage above the calculated figure.
Yes. The base amount per box in this estimate already covers general cushioning, like lining the bottom, filling gaps, and topping off a box before closing it, in addition to the sheets used to individually wrap fragile items. If you're packing unusually deep boxes or leaving a lot of empty space, add a few extra sheets per box.
Once you know how much paper you need, add it to your full packing supplies budget with the Moving Supplies Cost Calculator to see the total cost of paper, tape, boxes, and other supplies together.
Wrapping fragile items is only half the job — the Packing Tape Calculator helps you estimate how much tape and how many rolls you'll need to seal every box shut.
Add your paper total to a full moving cost estimate that covers labor, truck, and every other expense.