# How to label moving boxes
1st Choice Packaging · Updated 3 November 2026

Good labels are the difference between unpacking in a weekend and living out of boxes for a month. The trick is to label every box the same way, and on the **side**, not just the top, so you can still read it when boxes are stacked.

## A simple system

- **Room it's going to** at the new house, in big letters: KITCHEN, BED 2, LOFT.

- **What's inside**, briefly: "pans and baking trays", "kids' books", "bathroom cabinet".

- **A number**, so you can check they all arrived: 1, 2, 3 and so on, with a list on your phone.

- **Priority:** mark the boxes you'll need in the first day or two "OPEN FIRST", and the rest can wait.

- **Handling:** "FRAGILE", "HEAVY" or "THIS WAY UP" where it matters. [fragile tape](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/fragile-tape/) and [glass handle with care tape](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/glass-handle-with-care-tape/) make this obvious without writing.

Write on two sides and the top. A thick black marker is all you need.

**Packing tip:** Give each room a colour (a strip of coloured tape or a dot of marker) and put the same colour on the door of that room at the new house. Whoever carries the box in knows exactly where it goes.

## The "open first" box

Pack one box, or a bag, with everything you'll need on the first night: kettle, mugs, tea and coffee, phone chargers, toilet roll, a towel, bedding, medication, basic tools, bin bags, cleaning spray and something for dinner. Keep it with you in the car rather than in the van.

## Keep a list

A note on your phone with box numbers and what's in each one takes a few seconds per box and means you can find the stapler, the passports or the coffee machine without opening ten boxes. Still working out how many you need? Try the [box calculator](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/box-calculator/) or our guide to [how many boxes you need](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/guides/how-many-boxes-do-i-need/).

## Questions

**Where should I label moving boxes?**
On at least two sides and the top. Labels on top can't be read once boxes are stacked.

**What should I write on a moving box?**
The room it is going to, what is inside, a box number, and any handling note such as fragile, heavy or this way up.

**What goes in an open first box?**
Things for the first night and morning: kettle, mugs, tea, chargers, toilet roll, towels, bedding, medication, basic tools, bin bags and cleaning things.

## Shop for this
[Fragile tape £2.59](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/fragile-tape/) [Glass handle with care tape £2.59](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/glass-handle-with-care-tape/) [Medium removal box £2.75](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/medium-removal-box/)
[Work out how many boxes](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/box-calculator/)

## More moving guides
Guide

### [How many moving boxes do I need?](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/guides/how-many-boxes-do-i-need/)
Box counts by home size and by room, and what pushes the number up or down.

Guide

### [Moving house checklist](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/guides/moving-house-checklist/)
A week-by-week UK moving checklist, including who to tell about your new address.

Guide

### [How to pack plates and glasses for moving](https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/guides/how-to-pack-plates-and-glasses/)
How to wrap and box crockery and glassware so nothing breaks.

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Source: https://1stchoicepackaging.co.uk/guides/how-to-label-moving-boxes/ · 1st Choice Packaging, 75 Tollerford Road, Poole, Dorset, BH17 9BW · hello@1stchoicepackaging.co.uk