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Packing Tape Rolls Calculator

Moving or shipping in bulk? Enter how many boxes you are sealing, their size and how you tape them to see how many inches each box uses and how many rolls of packing tape to buy.

Boxes
in
in
Taping
Taping method
Tape
in
%
yd

Results

Rolls of tape4 rolls55-yard rolls, H-tape: seam plus both edges
Tape per box138 in
Total tape168.7 yd
Boxes per roll≈ 13
Seam strip
18 in + 2 × 3 in tails = 23 in
Edge strips
2 × (18 in + 2 × 3 in) = 46 in
Faces taped
Top and bottom
Waste allowance
10%

Tails of 2–3 in. down each side hold the flaps better than tape that stops at the edge. H-taping is recommended for heavy boxes and shipping by carrier.

How it works

  1. Enter how many boxes you are sealing and the length and width of their top.
  2. Choose single-strip or H-taping and whether you tape both the top and the bottom.
  3. Set the tail length that runs down each side and a waste allowance.
  4. Choose the roll length printed on the tape and read how many rolls to buy.

Formula

Seam strip = length + 2 × tail
H-tape adds 2 × (width + 2 × tail)
Tape per box = strips × faces taped
Rolls = ⌈boxes × tape per box × (1 + waste) ÷ (roll yards × 36)⌉

A regular slotted carton’s flaps meet along its length, so the main strip runs the full length plus a tail down each end. H-taping adds a strip across each short edge. There are 36 inches in a yard; common rolls are 55, 60 and 110 yards long.

Example

A small online shop seals 300 boxes of 12 × 10 in. a month with a single strip on the top and bottom, using 110-yard rolls.

Inputs

Number of boxes
300
Box length (along the flap seam)
12 in
Box width
10 in
Taping method
Single strip
Tape
Top and bottom
Tail down each side
2.5 in
Waste allowance
10 %
Roll length
110 yd

Result

Rolls of tape3 rolls110-yard rolls, one strip along the seam (I-tape)
Tape per box34 in
Total tape311.7 yd
Boxes per roll≈ 106
Load this example into the calculator →

Single strip or H-tape?

A single strip along the seam is fine for light boxes you carry yourself. For heavy boxes, long moves and parcel carriers, H-taping seals the edges where flaps can lift and roughly doubles the tape per box — which is why it drives most of the difference in rolls needed.

Frequently asked questions

How many rolls of packing tape do I need for a move?

For 40 medium (18 × 18 in.) boxes H-taped top and bottom with 2.5 in. tails, about 170 yards — 4 rolls of 55 yards including 10% waste. Buy a spare roll; moves always find more boxes.

How many boxes does one roll of tape seal?

A 55-yard roll seals about 45 small (16 × 12 in.) boxes with a single strip top and bottom, or about 14 medium (18 × 18 in.) boxes H-taped top and bottom.

What is H-taping?

A strip along the center seam plus a strip across each edge, forming an H. Carriers recommend it for shipping.

What width of tape should I use?

Most moving and shipping tape is 2 in. (48 mm) wide; 3 in. tape suits very heavy or large boxes. Width does not change the length needed.