College Packing List
Everything to pack for your dorm, sorted by category, with notes on what fits in a small room. Tick items off as you pack and split the big stuff with your roommate.
- Bedding6 items
- Bathroom and toiletries9 items
- Clothes and laundry9 items
- Desk and school7 items
- Tech6 items
- Room and storage7 items
- Health and first aid7 items
- Food and kitchen7 items
- Documents and money5 items
- Coordinate with your roommate7 items
Your packing checklist
Tick each item as it goes in a bag or box. Nothing you check is saved or sent anywhere.
0 of 70 packed
Bedding
Dorm note Most dorm beds are Twin XL, which is 5 inches longer than a regular twin. Check your housing page before you buy sheets.
Bathroom and toiletries
Dorm note With a shared hall bathroom you carry everything down the hall, so a caddy and shower shoes matter most. In a suite, ask who brings the bath mat and toilet paper.
Clothes and laundry
Dorm note In a double you usually get half a small closet and one dresser. Pack for this season and swap clothes when you go home on break.
Desk and school
Dorm note Your room comes with a desk and chair, so you only need what goes on them. Wait for your syllabi before you buy any books.
Tech
Dorm note Outlets are few and often behind the bed. A surge protector with a long cord fixes that, and many colleges ban plain extension cords.
Room and storage
Dorm note Dorm furniture is usually built in and floor space is tight. If your college lets you raise or loft the bed, the space under it becomes your storage.
Health and first aid
Dorm note The campus health center covers most things, but it isn't open at 2 AM. Keep the basics in one small box on your shelf.
Food and kitchen
Dorm note Check what your building allows before you pack anything that plugs in. Hot plates and toasters are banned in most dorms.
Documents and money
Dorm note Keep these in one folder in your bag, not in a moving box. You'll need your ID and insurance card in the first week.
Meet your roommates and your class before move in day.
Sign up freeWhen to Pack for College
- 1
Six weeks out
Read your housing page for bed size and banned items. Then message your roommate about the shared stuff.
- 2
Two weeks out
Shop for what's missing and start packing the things you won't need before move in.
- 3
Move in week
Pack a first night bag with sheets, a towel, toiletries, chargers and medicine. Then you can sleep before you unpack.
More Help With College Housing
Find a roommate, agree on the rules and choose the right dorm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pack bedding, bathroom basics, about two weeks of clothes, school supplies, tech, a little storage, a first aid kit and your documents. This list breaks each category down item by item.
Most dorm beds are Twin XL, 80 inches long instead of the 75 inches of a regular twin. Check your college's housing page, since a few use other sizes.
Leave candles, space heaters, hot plates, toaster ovens and plain extension cords at home, since most dorms ban them. Skip big furniture too, because your room comes furnished.
Split the items a room only needs one of, like a mini fridge, microwave, rug and TV. Text your roommate a few weeks before move in so you don't both bring one.
Bring about two weeks of everyday clothes for the current season. Dorm closets are small, so swap in warmer clothes when you go home on break.
Start about six weeks out by checking your housing rules and talking to your roommate. Do most of the packing in the last two weeks.