01
Choose Actual Size
In the print dialog, pick “Actual Size” or 100%, not “Fit to Page”. Fitting shrinks the sheet, which shifts every label off its sticker.
Free printables
Free printable moving box labels.
Room, box number, contents, and Fragile / This Side Up / Open First checkboxes. Print on Avery shipping labels or plain paper, and type in them before you print if you like. Free, with no email sign-up.
Fillable PDFsAvery 5164 & 5168Letter & A4Inventory checklist
6 labels per sheetAvery 5164
4″ × 3⅓″ stickers. Also fits Avery 8164 and compatible shipping labels.
Download PDF →
4 large labels per sheetAvery 5168
3½″ × 5″ stickers, easier to read across a room. Also fits Avery 8168.
Download PDF →
Plain paper, cut & tape
No sticker sheets needed. Four labels with cut lines on US Letter paper.
Download PDF →
Moving box inventory checklist
One line per box, with Packed and Arrived ticks, so you know nothing went missing on moving day.
Download PDF →Outside the US?
A4 versions of the cut-and-tape labels and the checklist.
Which labels to buy
Pick a size, print at 100%.
Label sheets are sold by product number. Any brand that lists one of these numbers as compatible will work.
| Use | Avery numbers | Label size | Per sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most boxes; good value | 5164 (laser), 8164 (inkjet) | 4″ × 3⅓″ | 6 |
| Big boxes or reading from across a room | 5168 (laser), 8168 (inkjet) | 3½″ × 5″ | 4 |
| No stickers on hand | Any plain paper | Cut along the lines | 4 |
02
Test on plain paper
Print one page on plain paper and hold it against a label sheet in front of a window. If the outlines match, load the stickers.
03
Feed the right way up
Check which side your printer prints on, and load the stickers top edge first.
How to label moving boxes
Six habits that make unpacking easy.
Number every box
A number is easier to call out than “the kitchen one with the tape.” Keep a matching line on the inventory checklist.
Label two sides and the top
Stacked boxes hide their tops. A label on a side and the top means you can read it however it's stacked.
Color-code rooms
Fill each label's color square with a marker: blue for the kitchen, green for the garage. Movers can sort by color without reading.
List what you'll go looking for
Skip “misc.” Write the things you'll actually need later: chargers, the coffee maker, passports.
Pack an Open First box
Sheets, towels, toilet paper, tools, phone chargers, and snacks. Tick Open First so it's unpacked on night one.
Tick Fragile and This Side Up
Use them sparingly. If everything is marked fragile, movers stop noticing the label.
When paper isn't enough
Labels that tell you what's inside.
Moving Box Tracker for iPhone prints a QR label for every box. Scan it to see the contents, or search “charger” to find which box it's in. Free for unlimited boxes; a one-time upgrade adds search and unpack tracking. No subscription.
Good to know
Questions, answered.
Which Avery labels fit these moving box labels?
The 6-per-sheet file fits Avery 5164 and 8164 (4″ × 3⅓″) shipping labels. The 4-per-sheet file fits Avery 5168 and 8168 (3½″ × 5″). Other brands sold as compatible with those numbers work too.
Can I print moving labels on plain paper?
Yes. The Letter and A4 versions have dashed cut lines. Cut them out and cover the whole label with clear packing tape so it survives the move.
Can I type on the labels before printing?
Yes. Every PDF is fillable. Open it in Preview, Acrobat Reader, or your browser, type the room, box number, and contents, tick any boxes, then print.
Why are my labels not lining up with the stickers?
Print at Actual Size or 100% scale. “Fit to Page” shrinks the sheet slightly, which shifts each label off its sticker. Test on plain paper first and hold it against a label sheet to check the alignment.
Are these really free?
Yes. No sign-up, no watermark. They're made by the developer of Moving Box Tracker as a free companion for people who prefer paper.