Books are heavy and awkwardly shaped - a few simple principles will save time and protect both the books and your back.
Published: July 21, 2026
Books are one of the heaviest things you typically move. A box full of books can be surprisingly heavy - even if the box looks half-empty. Packing them properly saves both time and effort.
Never fill a single box entirely with books - it will become too heavy to lift safely. Instead, distribute books across several boxes, adding lighter items to each one too (like pillows or clothes) to balance the weight.
If you have valuable, old, or collectible books, consider packing them separately, wrapped in paper or fabric, to protect the covers and pages from being crushed.
Label boxes "Books" and note that they're heavy - this will help you choose the right way to move them (for example, using a dolly rather than carrying by hand).
Book boxes are one of the main reasons a dolly set is included with every one of our rental kits - heavy boxes are far easier to move by rolling than by carrying.
Book a box kit and start your move.
